Saint Mirren: Match Preview

Saint Mirren make the short trip down to the Ayrshire Coast on Saturday, a fixture that has already been contested this season in the form of a pre-season friendly.

The Last time the clubs met in a competitive match was in August 2009, a League Cup meeting in which Saint Mirren won 2-0. Ayr United haven't beat 'The Buddies' in a competitive fixture since February 2004.

Saint Mirren are currently second bottom of the SPL, four points ahead of Hamilton Accies, who currently have a game in hand over the Paisley club.Ayr United go into the fixture with a better run of form than 'The Saints' and have already taken one SPL scalp in the Scottish Cup defeating Edinburgh club, Hibernian, who defeated Saint Mirren on Wednesday night.

Ayr will be with out long-term injury sufferers Bobby Donnelly and Dean Keenan. But have brought in experienced Centre-Back, Jim Lauchlan, who played against Stenhousemuir. Brian Reid will be down to the bare-bones in terms of attacking players, with Mark Roberts the only established striker available, with Andy Rodgers (Groin) doubtful and Michael Moffat cup-tied. Both Willie Easton (Hamstring) and Stuart Bannigan (Back) are also doubtful.

Saint Mirren will be without former Honest Man, Gareth Wardlaw (pictured) due to injury and it is unlikely the only other former Ayr Man (Craig Samson) will feature.

It is reported that Saint Mirren have almost sold their allocation of 3,000 tickets. Although, The Scottish Sun had reported that the tickets for the game have already been started to be forged. The whole of the Main Stand has been sold out and it's likely the Somerset Road End will soon follow Suit.

Former Saint Mirren player, Mark Roberts (pictured), netted his twentieth goal of the season against Stenhousemuir and his hoping to keep  it up when he plays against his old side. The only other ex-Buddie in the Ayr team is defender, Eddie Malone, who played an important part in taking the Hibernian game to a replay, in which the Honest Men won. But most famously he was the player who scored the winner for Clyde in their historic cup win over Celtic 5 years ago.

Ayr United where victorious in their last match, at home to Stenhousemuir. But finished the game with only nine-men, after Alan Trouten was given a straight-red and Jonathan Tiffoney a second booking, after only recieving one. Saint Mirren haven't won a game since their last cup outing which they won convincingly by 6 goals to one. Ayr United are currently unbeaten in 2011 and conceded only 5 goals and are currently second top of the Second Division, behind Livingston.