Second Summer Update

Since arriving back in Scotland from his trip to meet chairman, Lachlan Cameron in California, USA, has sealed a further four players as well as himself, Michael Moffat and Ross Robertson.

Robertson, after cup final defeat in 2002.

Roberts secured the signatures of both youthful and experienced players, 36 year old, defender and part of the 2002 League Cup Final team, John Robertson has agreed to give his services to the club for an other year. 'Robbo' first joined Ayr from Stranraer in 1997 were he stayed for three years before leaving in 2000. Robertson then joined English side, Oxford United before returning Ayr the following year. After an other successful year at Somerset Park, he then joined St. Johnstone for two years, after leaving the Perth club he signed for Ross County for a year. After a year in the Highlands he joined Hamilton Academical for one season before moving to Partick Thistle. He stayed at Partick for five years making over 150 appearances for the Glasgow club before embarking upon his third stint at Ayr United. Manager, Roberts spoke of Robertson's love of the club "He knows the game inside out and is an Ayr boy at heart. He loves Ayr United and that is one of the main reasons I wanted him in my team. He’ll be excellent for us next season".

Martyn Campbell

Martyn Campbell, the club vice-captain (to Mark Roberts) has also agreed to play for the Honest Men next season. Campbell, the current longest serving Ayr player, signed from junior side Irvine Meadow in 2005, has started 165 times for Ayr in an unfortunately injury plagued career. Campbell, 31, made 14 appearances in the whole of last season due to injury is the brother of former Ayr United, Falkirk, Raith Rovers and Queen of the South defender, Mark Campbell.

Roberts has also managed to acquire the services hot-prospects, Robbie Crawford and Mark Shankland for the coming campaign. Crawford made his first competitive start for Ayr United under Brian Reid in Ayr United'd final First Division game against Falkirk last month, sealed a new deal with Roberts, who is keen to make sure that most of the squad comes from the academy. Shankland, 16, has represented Scotland at  Under-17 level earlier this year, made his Ayr début from the bench away to Brechin in 2011 and is officially the youngest player to play for Ayr also signed for the season ahead.

Roberts confirmed that keeper, Kevin Cuthbert has left the club, to join Hamilton Academical in the First Division. `Marko` revealed that, relegation was the key factor in Cuthbert's move and said he may of stayed had Ayr won the play-offs.

The new boss has also made clear that he has made offers to players who are currently plying their trade at a higher level and has received mainly positive results, despite no-one putting pen-to-paper just yet.

He confirmed his pre-season friendly plans. Ayr United have arranged a friendly at home to Partick Thistle as well as an away match with Queens Park, at lesser Hampden on the 10th July. Roberts also said he is interested in playing against a junior side as well as Motherwell, who have qualified for the Champions League qualifiers and finally a top English Club from either the Premier League or Championship.  

Roberts, since taking the job a few weeks ago, has received many words of support from his friends in football. Roberts said that "I have spoken to a number of experienced individuals who have offered their support. I spoke to Owen Coyle [current Bolton Wanderers manager] and he said that he will bend over backwards to help me if I ever need anything. That was really good of him".

First close season update

New Ayr boss, Mark Roberts has started to plan for next season by re-signing key players from not only last season but the previous Second Division campaign two years ago.

Robertson modelling last seasons kit 

Local boy, Ross Robertson was the first to re-sign for next season. Robertson, who joined from the youth system two-years ago, has in his time at the club played as a midfield, defence and two appearances as a striker. Roberts has stated he sees `Rossco’s` natural position as a striker and that the previous management had played him out of position, Roberts intends on utilising him as a striker.

Shortly after Robertson’s signing, Michael Moffat followed suit. Moffat signed a new deal at Somerset Park last night (Fri 01/06/12) for the season ahead, after finishing his day job as a delivery driver for a local fish company. `the Moff` joined Ayr in January 2011 from local junior side, Girvan, and made his debut in a 1-0 win away to Alloa Athletic. Moffat see’s the club’s ambition for the coming season as regaining promotion to the First Division. Gaffer, Roberts see’s the `Moff` as a “twenty goals-a-season player”, if he is played in his correct position of striker.

Moffat celebrating with Alan Trouten

So far Roberts has secured himself, Moffat and Robertson for the season ahead with others expected to sign soon. He has offered deals to others, but many are waiting to see what other options are available. Chris Smith has been linked with Falkirk, as well as Jonathan Tiffoney who remains contracted for next season but has been denied due to the under-23 clause.

Roberts is keen to invest in youth and has stated “There are definitely boys in that team that can step up and break into the first team. Mark Shankland was ridiculously good in that game [a 14-1 victory over Montrose]. He was just so confident on the ball. If he can break into the first team and be as confident on the ball as he is in the Academy games then he will have a big future”. In fact, Robert’s assistant manager, Davie White is the head of ‘youth development’ for the Ayr United Football Academy.

However, some familiar faces have departed Somerset Park, Eddie Malone has joined Raith Rovers and the club has parted ways with Gareth Wardlaw and Ryan McWilliams as well as all of Reid’s loan signings.

Roberts, 36, recently back from his trip to Los Angeles to meet with chairman; Lachlan Cameron arrived back in Scotland to the news that the world’s largest online gambling company, Bodog, have renewed their sponsorship for next season despite relegation. Founder and billionaire, Calvin Ayre said “I had a blast on my visit last year and got stuck into the Hendrick’s Gin pretty hard as well as taking a day at the racetrack to have a bet or two before heading to Somerset Park. This summer’s press conference will be another good show as we unveil the new strip and no doubt a few girls as well.” Hugh Cameron, the clubs commercial director also added “Bodog’s ability to promote the club on a global level saw us attract record shirt sales last season including our first shipments to Asia which is just what this club needs and I’ve no doubt it will be similar next season. In the meantime I look forward to the madness that is the Bodog kit launch later in the summer.”

Club confirm prices for the Play-Off Semi-Final second leg and next seasons Season Tickets

Ayr United have confirmed via the official website that, as a token of the support received on the terraces week-in, week-out, they have decreased the price for the home leg of our play-off clash with either Airdrie United or Stenhousemuir on Saturday 13/05/2012. The club have also confirmed that current season ticket holders for the 2011-12 season can gain free access if they produce `voucher 3` at the back of the book.

Ayr will also be doing play-off special prices on season tickets.
ADULT season ticket - POS £190 OP£220
OAP season ticket- POS £104 OP £120
STUDENT season ticket -POS £95 OP £110

Official Site news

Play-offs

With Raith Rovers beating Queen of the South on Saturday and Ayr beating Dundee, Ayr United will have to beat Falkirk by nine goals and Morton beating Raith Rovers by nine goals to finish eighth. A mathematical miracle.

Assuming this doesn't happen, Ayr United will play the team which will finish fourth place in the Second Division, either Airdrie United or Stenhousemuir. Ayr United, as the team who finished ninth in the First Division, will play the Away Fixture at either the Excelsior Stadium or Ochilview on Wednesday 9/05/2012, only four days after Ayr United end their campaign in Falkirk. The Second Leg, will take place at Somerset Park on the Saturday 12/05/2012.

Both Airdrie United and Stenhousemuir are on level points, with Airdrie United travelling to champions, Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir hosting Forfar Athletic.

The winner of the clash between Arbroath and Dumbarton will face the winner of the Ayr United vs Airdrie/Stenhousemuir clash. The Final tie, First leg will take place on Wednesday 16/05/2012, and the venue for both First and Second legs will be decided by a toss of a coin.

The winner of the final tie will play in the 2012-13 SFL Division 1.

Ayr United have a play-off pedigree, winning it twice in 2009 and 2011 respectively. In 2009, Ayr won the Semi-Final by five goals to two against Brechin City, winning 2-0 at Glebe Park in the First leg, before winning the second leg at Somerset Park 3-2. Ayr went in to the final against Airdrie United and were two goals down before the first half was out. A miraculous turn around, saw Mark Roberts bag a brace, and Chris Aitken miss a penalty, to set up the second leg all square. And the fairytale was complete when local boy, Ryan Stevenson, who now plays for Ipswich Town, scored the only goal to send Ayr United into the first division.

Two years later, Ayr United once again finished second in the Second Division, followed by automatic relegation from the first division in the first season back in Scotland's second tier. Setting up a semi-final tie with Forfar Athletic. Ayr travelled to Station Park on a Wednesday night, and Michael Moffat scored within two mins to give Ayr United the perfect start. The Loons brought it level again, but Ayr hadn't finished yet, Michael Moffat forcing Forfar defender, Jamie Bishop to turn the ball into his own net. Ryan McCann raced onto a Martyn Campbell header that didn't quite make it, for 3-1. And finally Andy Rodgers finished the scoring for Ayr and leaving Forfar with the uphill task. The second leg, that was billed as a non-event, was far from that. An exciting 3-3 draw, with prolific Michael Moffat opening the scoring, before Dale Hilson equalised for Forfar. Shortly after the break Scott McLaughlin gave Ayr the lead for the second time, but Barry Sellars drew the Loons level yet again. But it wasn't finished yet, in the ninetieth minuet Forfar netted a penalty through Ross Campbell, but the goals still hadn't finished and after Alan Trouten was felled in the box, Ayr were awarded a penalty and Trouten stepped up and kept Ayr maintained an impressive Play-off undefeated record into the final. Ayr United faced 2009-10 play-off finalists, Brechin City in the final, after they had dumped out First Division side Cowdenbeath, who beat the to promotion in the previous season. Brechin visited Somerset Park on the Wednesday night and went behind early with another goal from Michael Moffat, but despite bombarding Ayr legend and Brechin keeper, Ayr couldn't capitalise on their lead and were punished by Brechin's Neil Janczyk who scored late to level the tie. So the second leg at Brechin City's Glebe Park was all even, and Ayr had to make an early change bringing Jim Lauchlan off for Jonathan Tiffoney, who knocked the ball past Alan Martin in his own goal on the stroke of half time. But Ayr wouldn't take defeat lying down and in the pursuit of First Division football, Mark Roberts netted an equaliser with little more than ten minuets left. With extra-time looking inevitable, the man who had scored in every play-off match, Michael Moffat, who only signed for Ayr in January from Girvan juniors got the winner for United. Sending the Honest Men into ecstasy and the First Division.

Play-Off teams: 
Arbroath

Lead by former Ayr hero, Paul Sheerin, the Red Lichties have finished second in the Second Division following promotion as Champions from the Third Division. In the play-off Semi-Final they will visit Dumbarton on the Wednesday night, before the Sons visit Gayfield Park on the Saturday afternoon.
Ground: Gayfield Park - 5,940 (849 seats)
Manager: Paul Sheerin
2010-11 position: SFL Division 3 (1st)
2011-12 position: SFL Division 2 (2nd)
2010-11 Average Att.:  588 (Div 3)
For a full ground guide visit: SGG

Ayr United's last meeting: 11/04/2009 Arbroath 1-3 Ayr United

Dumbarton

Dumbarton, lead by Alan Adamson, finished third in the Second Division following a seventh place finish in the previous season. Dumbarton have won the Scottish Football League on two occasions, once shared with Rangers and the Scottish Cup once.
Ground: Dumbarton Football Stadium (formerly Strathclyde Homes Stadium) (2,050 all seated)
Manager: Alan Adamson
2010-11 position: SFL Division 2 (7th)
2011-12 position: SFL Division 2 (3rd)
2010-11 Average Att.: 624
For a full ground guide visit: SGG

Ayr United's last meeting: 23/04/2011 Dumbarton 1-2 Ayr United

Stenhousemuir

Stenny manager, Davie Irons previously played for Ayr between 1984 and 1987. Stenhousemuir finished eighth in the second division last season before either gaining a fourth or fifth place finish.
Ground: Ochilview (5,267 - 2,117 seated)
Manager: Davie Irons
2010-11 position: SFL Division 2 (8th)
2011-12 position: SFL Division 2 (4th or 5th)
2010-11 Average Att.: 560
For a full ground guide visit: SGG


Ayr United's last meeting: 26/03/2011 Stenhousemuir 2-1 Ayr United

Airdrie United

Airdrie United, formed in 2002, when Airdrieonians bought out Clydebank after financial troubles at both clubs have rebuild and are consolidating after relegation in 2010, building mainly on youth. This season the recorded their record win, 11-0 at home to Gala Fairydean in the Scottish Cup. Ayr won 5-0 away to Airdrie last season.
Ground: Excelsior Stadium (10,172 all seated)
Manager: Jimmy Boyle
2010-11 position: SFL Division 2 (6th)
2011-12 position: SFL Division 2 (4th or 5th)
2010-11 Average Att.: 788
For a full ground guide visit: SGG

Ayr United's last meeting: 30/04/2011 Ayr United 3-1 Airdrie United

Ayr beat Dundee `hoodoo`: Ayr United 3-2 Dundee

Dundee came down to Somerset Park to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of being crowned champions of Scotland, knowing that Ayr United hadn't beaten the Dee's since 1995.

Ayr United 3-2 Dundee

Ayr boss, Brian Reid named four players who had came through the Ayr United Football Academy on the bench, two of which had never seen first team football before. And it was only eight minutes before the first change was enforced upon Reid, when John Robertson hobbled off with Steven Hutchinson coming on to make his first team debut, the injury to John Robertson forced a tactical rejigging, in which Andy Geggan moved to the unfamiliar position of centre-back.

After only fourteen minutes, Dundee took the lead a weak header from Chris Smith intented for the gloves of Kevin Cuthbert landed at the feet of Ryan Conroy, who gave the Dark blue's the lead.

Ayr were forced upon a second tactical change after only twenty minutes, Jackson Longridge too debutised at the left back position after Adam Dodd came off.

Ayr United were down, but by were no means out and despite playing some attractive football, went in at the break a goal down.

Eventually Ayr United got the equaliser, after ample chances, Keigan Parker hit a sumblime free-kick leaving former Celtic and Scotland keeper, Rab Douglas with no chance.

The result remained the same for only ten mins, when Dundee's Steven Milne put the visitors ahead for the second time in the match. And it looked like Dundee were going to hold out for victory, but a beautiful Keigan Parker over head kick leveled the side.

With the clocking ticking towards the end of the match with the scores level; Reid was forced upon his final substitute with 'youngster' Steven Hutchison coming off for Ross Robertson, a change that would prove to be essential for Ayr as Ross Robertson sent the home fans into ecstasy after a moment of confusion between the Dundee goalkeeper and defender, setting Robertson up for the winner.

Raith Rovers were three-one winners over Queen of the South, condemned Queens' to relegation and a bottom place finish, but the result in Fife means that Ayr will have to beat Falkirk by nine goal margin with Raith also losing by nine goals. Although it looks pretty certain that Ayr will join Arbroath, Dumbarton and either Airdrie or Stenhousemuir in the First Division Play-Offs.

HB Ayr Utd Player Ratings

Kevin Cuthbert- 7: As Good as ever.

Jonathan Tiffoney- 7: Good game, defended well, got forward a few times too.

Adam Dodd- 6: Too little time to judge.

John Robertson- 6: See above.

Chris Smith- 7: Did well, despite gifting the Dee's the first. Won more or less everything after.

Andy Geggan- 7: Played out of position for the majority, played well though.

Alan Trouten- 7: Started on the right, but looked good when moved into the middle.

Liam Tomsett- 7: Bossed the midfield again.

Keigan Parker- 9: Two of the best finishes of the season especially the second.

Mark  Roberts- 6: Despite one effort, denied by Douglas fairly average performance.

Michael Moffat- 6: Malone's suspension forced the Moff to left wing again, average performance.

Steven Hutchinson- 8: A very good début from the youngster.

Jackson Longridge- 8: Won sponsors MotM, well deserved for the debutant .

Ross Robertson- 8: Scored the winner in only five mins on the park.

Referee: Alan Muir- 9: Best Referee at Somerset Park for along time.

Attendance: 1,656

Massive game at the bottom: Queen of the South Preview

On Saturday, Ayr United head down to Dumfries to take on Queen of the South at Palmerston Park.

Ayr don't only loo down to Queens' geographically, but are also six points and two positions above the bottom club in the League.

Ayr will be without Eddie Malone and Michael McGowan through suspension, yet Martyn Campbell is set to return with Alan Trouten who started the on the trip to Dundee on Tuesday night and came off the bench against Morton on Saturday.

An army of Ayr fans will set off for Dumfries on Saturday, by bus, car and train. As large numbers are expected for the away clash on Saturday.

Ayr go into the game on the back of a first league defeat since late February at the hands of Dundee. But have managed to take ten points from 21. Whereas, the 'Doonhammers' have shipped eight goals in only two games and Ayr, who will be without the experience of Eddie Malone lost two very late goals to Dundee on Tuesday.

Unlucky Ayr hammered at Dens: Dundee 4-1 Ayr United

Ayr United rue missed chances, as Dundee harshly put four past Cuthbert.

Roberts got Ayr's only goal

Dundee took the lead in the first half through Jamie McCluskey netted from 10 yards on the twenty minute mark. The 'Dees' successfully held their advantage until half-time and shortly after doubled it, when Steven Milne beat Cuthbert in a one-on-one.

The 'Honest Men' never gave up and with thirteen minutes of normal time left, skipper, Mark Roberts halved the deficit and a spell of Ayr domination, which included multiple shots that hit the woodwork.

A late double from Dundee handed Ayr an unjust beating that wrongly looked one-sided score line, when Jake Hyde and Ryan Conroy scored late stoppage time goals.

Late Raith equaliser prevents a third United Victory over Rovers this season: Raith Rovers 2-2 Ayr United

Raith Rovers 2-2 Ayr United

Ayr United almost sealed a third victory over fellow struggler's, Raith Rovers, but were denied in the final minute of additional time.

A large travelling support made their way up to Kirkcaldy for a crunch game towards the bottom of the table. Rovers who sit in ninth spot took the lead early in the first half through Brian Graham. Graham was dismissed under half an hour later by referee, Crawford Allen.

With the half-time score at 1-0, United came out the better side, and eventually the visitors found an equaliser when Liam Tomsett was brought down in the box and United were awarded a penalty. And Mark Roberts stepped up to score his twenty-first penalty and fifty-first goal since joining Ayr United in 2009. And it looked like Ayr would jump up to seventh when Raith defender, Douglas Hill fell and thought he was fouled, hand-balling it on the edge of the box. Eddie Malone stepped up, beat the wall to put in to the top corner, sending the away support in to ecstasy. As it looked as though all three points were heading down to Ayrshire. Until Damian Casilinuovo scored a late equaliser to take a point for the Rovers.

Hibernian: Scottish Cup - Match Preview

Tomorrow, Ayr United take on SPL struggler's, Hibernian, in the Quarter-Final's of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

The Hibees made the journey down to the Ayrshire coast for a Scottish Cup fourth round replay. The Honest Men won 1-0, a well finished Mark Roberts goal was all that separated the part-time second division club from the SPL side in the 180 mins.

Ayr have strengthened considerably since the last meeting, only fourteen months ago. Jonathan Tiffoney, Eddie Malone, Chris Smith and Mark Roberts are the only players that featured in Ayr's famous victory against the Hibees, that can play at Somerset tomorrow. Hibs have strengthened further, and could possibly start a completely different starting XI to that were put to the sword by the part-timers last season.

The most famous tie between the two clubs was a Scottish League Cup Semi-Final at Hampden Park ten years ago this season. John Robertson, who re-signed for the Honest Men in the summer, for his third spell at the club, was brought down in the box and won the Honest Men a penalty to put them into their first major cup final. Eddie Annand converted from the spot, to send the Ayr supporters into ecstasy.

The Honest Men won a vital league match in West Lothian against Livingston on Tuesday night coming from behind, once again. A Mark Roberts first half penalty cancelled out an early Keighan Jacobs opener for the home side. The penalty was won when Keigan Parker was brought down by Livi keeper, McNeil, When 'Marko' slotted home his fiftieth goal as an Honest Man, and the twentieth from the spot. Michael McGowan got the winner for the Honest Men, knocking the ball home through a crowd of Livi defenders.

Hibs, who remain only four points above bottom place Dunfermline Athletic at the foot of the SPL table, have only won eight game this season, losing seventeen and drawing nine (all competitions). The Cabbage were knocked out of the League Cup in the quarter-final stage at the hands of Celtic, despite being a goal up at half-time, they were undone by a classy second half performance by Celtic and James Forrest in particular.

The prize for tomorrows victory would be a place in the semi-final's and a trip to Hampden Park, a venue familiar to the current Ayr United squad who visited the national stadium only two months ago in the Scottish League Cup Semi-Finals, against local-rivals Kilmarnock, losing out to an extra-time goal from Dean Sheils. And if either club can reach the final the prize of European football could be possible, if their opposition has already qualified for either the Champions League or Europa League.

Falkirk leave Somerset with nothing... Again: Ayr United 1-0 Falkirk

Ayr United faced Falkirk for the fourth time this season and the third at Somerset Park this season. The last time 'The Bairns' visited Somerset Park only a few ago in the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup, Ayr won 2-1 with goals from Andy Geggan and Mark Roberts from the spot coming back from an early goal scored by Blair Alston for Falkirk.

Ayr 1-0 Falkirk

Ayr went into the game on the back of a 3-2 defeat to league leaders, Ross County, after going two goals down early on, and brought it back to two-all with both goals from Keigan Parker, but were eventually defeated by a spectacular to complete a Richard Brittain hat-trick. Following a first league victory of the calender year, at home to Livingston, with goals from Eddie Malone and two from midfielder, Andy Geggan, who brought it all square after Dean Cummings converted early for the visitors.

Ayr were without John Robertson, Martyn Campbell, Alan Trouten and Sean Higgins through injury, but played a strong eleven despite playing Adam Dodd at left-back. Ayr started: Cuthbert, Tiffoney, Dodd, Malone, Smith, Geggan, Moffat, Tomsett, Parker, Roberts and McGowan. Steven Pressley started a line-up of: Duffie, Scobbie, Dods, Wallace, Murdoch, Fulton, Millar, Gibson, El Alagui and White.

The first half seemed pretty uneventful, little chances for both sides, with Ayr defending well and passing well at the other end of the park. And Falkrk couldn't convert their chances, however, the most notable action from Falkirk was when Farid El Alagui fell into the Somerset Road.

Ayr improved in the second half and dominated much of the game, especially on the right-wing and played a lot of the game in front, Duffie, the Falkirk keepers goal, who was strangely enough wearing the Ayr United alternative goalkeepers jersey. Eventually the pressure paid off, and Andy Geggan got his sixth of the season and third in a week to seal all three points to the Honest Men.

Raith Rovers comfortably won 5-0 at home to Greenock Morton, and Ross County won at home to Queen of the South. A gap is starting to emerge between Queen of the South and both Ayr and Raith, and only a point separates Raith and Ayr, with Ayr having a game in hand (away to Livingston on Tuesday night). 

Ross County 1-1 Ayr United: Match Report

Ross County 1-1 Ayr United

Ross County, the league leaders, welcomed bottom club, Ayr United to Victoria Park. Ross County rested several important players in their mid-week Scottish Cup tie away to St Mirren, where as a strong Ayr United side beat Falkirk.

Ayr United made the 216 mile journey to Dingwall in the Highlands as massive underdogs, despite a mid-week victory over Falkirk at Somerset Park.

Within 7 mins The Dingwall club took the lead through former-Inverness stalwart, Grant Munro, and it looked as though Ross County would strengthen their advantage yet they couldn't do so before the break.

Ayr United came out after the break all guns blazing or as the BBC Radio Scotland correspondent said 'on all four cylinders', yet couldn't capitalise on the pressure. Ayr gained an equaliser through Blackpool loanee, Liam Tomsett, scored from far out. Jonathan Tiffoney was later dismissed for the Honest Men held out for a point.

Elsewhere in the First Division, Dundee equalised in the dying minutes against Queen of the South and Livingston won 4-0 against Raith Rovers to see Ayr stay at the foot of the table, but are only a point behind Raith Rovers in 9th position with two games in hand and two points behind Queen of the South in 8th with three games in hand.

Ayr travel to Maryhill to take on Partick Thistle on Tuesday night, knowing that a win would take the Honest Men up to 8th in the League. 

New Signings

Parker, 29, joins from AFC Flyde 

Brian Reid has strengthened his side for the challenge of staying in the First Division.

Gaffer, Reid, no stranger to a risky signing has got Keigan Parker until the end of the season. After moving to Blackpool in 2004 and played for many clubs down south including Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic, Mansfield Town and Stockport County. Since then Parker has expressed the wish to get back into Scottish football. The only other competition for the striker came from Partick Thistle, who he played for in a closed door match, but could afford to pursue him.

Former Ross County and Dundee ace, Sean Higgins, has also joined on loan from Saint Johnstone on-loan until the end of the season.

Marc Dyer, who left the Ayr United Football Academy for Rangers a few years ago, has re-joined. It is currently unknown whether it is a loan deal or permanent. Dyer will join the impressive options Reid has up-front, with: Sean Higgins, Michael Moffat, Keigan Parker, Roddy Paterson, Mark  Roberts and Gareth Wardlaw.

Falkirk Match Preview

Ayr v Falkirk: 04/02/12

On Saturday, Ayr United welcome Falkirk to Somerset Park for the Fifth Round tie of the William Hill Scottish Cup. Both sides come into the match on the back of a semi-final defeat in the Scottish Communities League Cup. Ayr losing at Hampden Park to bitter rivals Kilmarnock in extra-time and Falkirk defeated by SPL leaders, Celtic, also at Hampden Park. Both teams will hoping to see an other Cup run in the Scottish Cup.

Ayr United have put out East Stirlingshire (SCLC), Queen of the South (RC), Raith Rovers (RC), Inverness CT (SCLC), Hearts (SCLC), St Mirren (SCLC), Montrose (WHSC) and Livingston (WHSC) in all three Cup competitions they have competed in this season reaching the Quarter-Final of the Ramsdens Cup, Semi-Final of the Scottish Communities League Cup and now face Falkirk for a spot in the Quarter-Final of William Hill Scottish Cup. All very impressive for the side bottom of the First Division. Whereas, Falkirk, who sit second in the First Division, defeating Albion Rovers, Stenhousemuir, Dundee United and most surprisingly Rangers out of the Scottish Communities League Cup, then also beating Brechin City, East Fife and Annan Athletic on their way to the final of the Ramsdens Cup, when they await Hamilton Academical at Almondvale Stadium in Livingston. Falkirk beat East Fife in their only William Hill Scottish Cup meeting to set up this meeting at Somerset Park.

The two teams have already meet twice this season, one was an entertaining two-all draw at Somerset Park in the early stages of this season, with Gareth Wardlaw and Eddie Malone on target for the Honest Men as they came from behind twice when the Bairns scored through Kallum Higginbotham and Farid El Allagui. The other was Ayr's first trip to the Falkirk Stadium since it opened in 2004, ending in a goal-less draw.

Ayr United have strengthened in the transfer window with manager, Brian Reid, bringing in Sean Higgins in on loan from Saint Johnstone on-loan as well as Adam Dodd and Liam Tomsett from English Championship side, Blackpool, with Alex Burke and Dean Keenan departing the Honest Men. Martyn Campbell is nearing fitness and may be available to Brian Reid for selection against the Bairns, where as Alan Trouten returned on Saturday for the trip to Hampden. Falkirk will be with out Kallum Higginbotham as he has signed for Huddersfield Town, with Murray Wallace, who will be loaned back to Falkirk for the remainder of the season only a few days ago, for a six-figure fee.

Ayr keeper, Kevin Cuthbert, who was Man of the Match at Hampden on Saturday making some spectacular saves, will once again be essential for the Honest Men. Cuthbert, 29, told ayrunitedfc.co.uk following Saturdays Semi-Final defeat at the hands of Kilmarnock:

“I’m just gutted. I have no affiliation with Ayr, I’m from Perth and played in two national finals with my local home town team and I feel more gutted now than I did when we lost them. I’m just so disappointed. 

"It was a great turn out from the supporters, especially for a team in the lower end of the First Division.”

Admission prices for Saturdays Cup tie are: Adults £15 and Concessions (Over-65's and Under-16's)  £8. Season Tickets are not valid for Cup ties.

Highlights of both clubs visits to the national stadium this week-end are available here: SFL TV

Ayr's new loan signing, Sean Higgins