Dundee 0
Ayr United 0
Scottish Cup (3rd Round)
DundeeDundee |
0 - 00 - 0 |
Ayr UtdAyr Utd |
 |
Scottish Cup (3rd Round) |
 |
| Goalscorers | |
| None. | None. |
| Team Managers | |
|
Jocky Scott |
Gordon Dalziel |
| Starting Eleven | |
|
1. Robert Douglas 34. Craig Ireland 2. Barry Smith 5. Steven Tweed 20. Lee Wilkie 7. Steven Boyack 12. Shaun McSkimming 8. Gavin Rae 9. Eddie Annand 35. Nicky Banger 11. Willie Falconer |
Craig Nelson John Robertson David Craig Neil Duffy Dave Rogers Neal Scally Gary Teale Mickey Reynolds Marvyn Wilson Glynn Hurst Neil Tarrant |
| Bench | |
|
19. Patrizio Billio 14. Hugh Robertson 22. Graham Bayne |
Andy McMillan Jens Kristian Hansen Paul Shepard |
| Substitutions | |
|
Graham Bayne for Steven Boyack Hugh Robertson for Nicky Banger (56) |
Paul Shepard for Mickey Reynolds (71) |
| Cautions | |
| None. | None. |
| Red Cards | |
| None. | None. |
| Match Officials | |
|
Jim Herald (Referee) |
Match Report
First Division Ayr United could easily have continued their recent habit of causing upset against top-flight teams in the Tennent's Scottish Cup as they dominated this tie at Dens Park yesterday.
The Somerset Park side eliminated Ayrshire rivals Kilmarnock in each of the last two seasons and, with better finishing against Dundee, would have won this tie at the first time of asking.
As it is, they will get a second bite of the cherry down at their own patch a week on Tuesday. And it was no more than Gordon Dalziel's team deserved.
From almost the first kick to the last, they looked the more accomplished side and, if they had won by a couple of goals, the Dark Blues could have had no complaints.
With Man of the Match Gary Teale causing all sorts of problems, the Honest Men soon had the big boys from the SPL looking worried.
In 15 minutes, his cross from the right found Neil Tarrant and the striker squandered a glorious chance from no further out than eight yards.
That set the pattern for the rest of the afternoon. and, with Teale, Mickey Reynolds and Marvin Wilson providing the ammunition, a string of chances were created but missed.
On some occasions, like when David Craig had failed to control the ball on the six-yard line, that was down to bad finishing, while, on others, it was because of the fine form of keeper Robert Douglas.
He had an excellent stop from ex-Dark Blue Neil Duffy in the first half and, after the interval, denied Reynolds with a superb diving save. And, when he was beaten by a Tarrant volley just two minutes into the second half. Douglas had defender Craig
Ireland to thank when he blocked the ball. In attack, Jocky Scott's charges showed far too little. Eddie Annand went close with a lob that Craig Nelson had to touch over and, when the front man rounded the Ayr keeper late on, Craig was on the line to hack his shot away.
Those two efforts apart, the home team did not look dangerous. Manager Jocky Scott must have been bitterly disappointed by this latest home showing. His opposite number, though, had every reason to be proud of his players' performances and to believe that they can finish the job in the replay.
Squad Statistics (as at January 29th, 2000)
| 1999-00 | All Time | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Nat |  |
 |
|
|
|
| Robert Douglas (GK) | 27 |
|
23 | - | 104 | - |
| Craig Ireland | 24 |
|
8 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| Barry Smith | 25 |
|
20 | - | 162 | 1 |
| Steven Tweed | 27 |
|
23 | 1 | 34 | 2 |
| Lee Wilkie | 19 |
|
11 | - | 11 | - |
| Steven Boyack | 23 |
|
23 | 3 | 31 | 5 |
| Shaun McSkimming | 29 |
|
20 | 2 | 81 | 7 |
| Gavin Rae | 22 |
|
23 | 2 | 87 | 5 |
| Eddie Annand | 26 |
|
20 | 3 | 98 | 29 |
| Nicky Banger | 27 |
|
7 | - | 7 | - |
| Willie Falconer | 33 |
|
21 | 11 | 56 | 15 |
| Hugh Robertson (sub) | 24 |
|
12 | - | 41 | 1 |
| Graham Bayne (sub) | 20 |
|
6 | - | 12 | - |
League Table (as at January 29th, 2000)
No league table has been added for this season.
Manager's Programme Notes
Wednesday evening saw part one of what is an Ayrshire double this week. Against Kilmarnock, we had to be satisfied with a point, particularly as we were reduced to ten men for most of the second half.
Indeed, I was delighted with the way the effort shown after the interval, although have to confess that I wasn't particularly happy with how we had played in the first half against, albeit what I rate as, a very good Kilmarnock side.
In the circumstances, I suppose, we can't complain about getting a point, but we must show more composure on the ball and ensure that we apply ourselves for the whole ninety minutes in the future.
This afternoon, we switch from the rigours of the SPL as we welcome a side from Ayrshire for the second time in three days. Inevitably this will be a difficult tie as such games against lower league opposition tend to be.
Being a cup tie, we must ensure that we take the work rate and effort that was so evident in the second half against Kilmarnock into this afternoon's match with Ayr United and if we do, we have players with sufficient ability to secure us victory.
Experience, however, tells us it will not be easy.
Compared to last season, Gordon Dalziel's men may be having an indifferent campaign, but they have recently shown signs of finding a bit of form.
They do have a lot of experience in their ranks, so on their day are a very good. side which I can assure: will earn them every respect. from us, because we are only too well aware that if were to take them lightly, then we might not make our hoped for progress into the fourth round.