Ayr United vs Morton – Match Preview 

by Dean McKinnon 

Morton head down the coast tomorrow to face a rejuvenated Ayr United side, hoping for an away win that could spark Dougie Imrie’s men into a turnaround of their own. The Ton besting their Ayrshire counterparts in the Championship curtain raiser is their only win to date this term, sitting at the foot of the table with only five points to their name.  

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad Update 

The Ton will be hoping that last week’s questionable call off will have allowed injuries to heal, with the gaffer still contending with a lengthy injury list. Loanee Tyler French will be welcomed back to the fold after being cup tied for the home win against Kelty Hearts in the SPFL Trust Trophy. Rangers loanee Jack Harkness has went under the knife in the last couple of weeks and has had his loan terminated by Rangers without making a first team appearance.  

Current Connections  

All together now – assistant manager Andy Millen turned out as a player for tomorrow’s opponents. Millen spent an incredibly brief spell in Ayrshire, making three appearances whilst on loan from Hibs. There is plenty of familiarity between both dressing rooms, however not as much in previous years as the sides rid themselves of the ‘legacy’ left at both clubs by David Hopkin.  

Jack Baird sandwiched a two-year stint at Somerset Park in-between both his spells in Greenock. Club captain Grant Gillespie spent a brief spell during the COVID-impacted 2019/20 season in Ayrshire, joining Ayr following his release from Derry City. Robbie Crawford graduated into the Ayr first team from their academy in 2012. The hardworking midfielder would make 217 appearances for the Honest Men, scoring 16 goals in the process, before joining Livingston ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.  

Andy Murdoch joined the Ayrshire side after being released by Ray McKinnon in what is quite possibly the most objectionable decision made in his short time in the Cappielow dugout. Murdoch will play no part on Saturday, having torn his ACL attempting to stick one on Jai Quitongo on the opening day. Familiar foe Sean McGinty will no doubt be looking to get one over on his former employers, with the fractious relationship between the centre back and the visiting support well documented in our match previews. 

Tale of the Tape  

Morton had the best possible start to the league season against tomorrow’s opponents, showing grit and determination to come from a goal down to win the encounter 3-1. The score remained at 0-0 after a breathless first half, however the Honest Men broke the deadlock six minutes into the second period as Oli Pendlebury smashed past Jamie MacDonald. The Ton rallied after conceding, with goalscoring midfielder Robbie Crawford curling a stunning effort into the far corner of Charlie Albinson’s goal to level the affair. Robbie Muirhead put his side ahead on the 75th minute, netting a penalty after pantomime villan Sean McGinty was adjudged to have fouled Robbie Crawford. Steven Boyd sealed the victory, sweeping home in style after some excellent attacking play down The Ton’s right hand side resulted in an inch perfect delivery from Jack Bearne.  

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis  

The Ayrshire side have had an inconsistent start to the season as Lee Bullen looks to life after Dipo Akinyemi, however it has been the other end of the pitch where the Honest Men have struggled so far this term. Tomorrow’s hosts have conceded seventeen goals so far this term, one more than their visitors. Three away wins in succession, 5-2 against Queens Park, 2-1 against Airdrieonians and 1-0 against Dunfermline, have lifted United off the foot of the table into a more comfortable mid-table spot in recent weeks. 

Ahead of the match, I spoke to Ayr fan Marc Dunlop (@marco_ayr) who spoke of low spirits in the home dressing room - “The Honest Men welcome a Morton side to Somerset on Saturday, low on confidence after an indifferent start to the season.  

Ayr themselves come into this game on the back of two away victories on the spin, however, their home form, as yet, has failed to impress, with their last home victory being recorded in only the 2nd match of the league campaign. That was a narrow 1-0 victory over Inverness CT, however, boss Lee Bullen will be quietly confident that they’ve turned a corner after registering two impressive victories on the road either side of the International Break.  

He’ll also find himself with some what of a selection headache, as Ben Dempsey returned to full training earlier in the week. A nice problem to have, however, most of the Ayr support would welcome an unchanged side with the impressive duo of Senga-Ngoyi & Syla striking up a formidable partnership in central midfield in the absence of him & former Morton favourite, Andy Murdoch.  

The loan arrivals of Logan Chalmers & Anton Dowds have also given United another dimension going forward, & with the experienced Jamie Murphy on the opposite flank, they look a real threat in the final third.  

The growing enthusiasm, matched against a Morton side low confidence will hopefully see Ayr claim their 2nd home win of the league campaign & 3rd win on the bounce. However, as we all know, nothing in football is guaranteed & the Greenock faithful will be hoping this is the week their side can turn around their season & start climbing the table. Whatever happens, a mouth watering fixture awaits what always is a decent crowd when these two sides take to the pitch. Cmon Ayr!!” 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Betting Guide  

All match odds are provided by McBookie. Odds are correct as of 7am on 27th October and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.  

The hosts head into tomorrow’s encounter as favourites, listed at Evs to claim a second home win of the season. A stalemate between the sides is priced at 12/5, with 23/10 your reward if you back Dougie Imrie’s men to gain their first away win of the season.  

Robbie Crawford is an eye-catching 3/1 to net anytime against his former employers, with Jack Baird listed at 9/1 to haunt his former side.  

Match Officials  

Referee - David Dickinson 

AR1 - John McCrossan 

AR2 - Brian Christie