Ayr look to re-ignite title hopes

By GARY HEATLY
Published on Saturday 11 February 2012 04:41

AYR travel to Melrose this afternoon knowing that victory at the Greenyards could just about catapult them back into an intriguing top-flight title race.

On the flipside, if they lose then they can just about give up any hope of lifting the trophy they won in 2009, and they head to the Borders in determined mood.

Currently, the men from Millbrae are on 36 points in fifth place in RBS Premier A, while today’s hosts are leading on 46 points. Both have seven matches left and ten points is a big gap but, with Melrose having lost to Dundee HSFP in their “top eight” opener it pulled them back towards the pack somewhat.

Ayr assistant coach Peter Laverie said: “This is without doubt a league-defining match. Melrose won the league against us last season at the Greenyards and their home record overall is impressive.

“Losing to Dundee there, however, will have them fully focused for this game and we are expecting nothing other than a very tough encounter. We were well beaten in our first game at Millbrae and they must definitely start as favourites for this game. However, our boys are desperate to get into action and make up for that defeat.”

With Robbie Fergusson in action for the Scotland under-20 side in Wales last night, Sylvain Diez and AJ McFarlane make up the half-back partnership for Ayr, while Zimbabwean international prop Denford Mutamngira is set to make his debut from the bench.

Melrose are without former skipper Jamie Murray as he is getting married today, while John Dalziel and Peter Eccles are still out.

Head coach Craig Chalmers said: “It’s been a long three weeks since our last game but the boys have trained well indoors and out. Ayr are a top side with quality throughout, so we are under no illusions how hard a game it will be. The breakdown will be key to the result of this game.”

Second placed Currie face a tricky trip to Stirling County.

For that test they are without key quartet Andrew Binikos, Mike Entwhistle, Dave Smith and James Johnstone and head coach Ally Donaldson said: “Stirling were on great form at the end of Premier One and the break probably came at a time they didn’t want. They have a lot of talented young players who are gaining experience and becoming a real force.”

Dundee HSFP, currently in third place, face a similarly tricky away trip to Aberdeen Grammar. When the two sides met a few weeks ago in the regional cup it was a tight affair and this one is likely to be the same. In the final RBS Premier A match, Gala play Boroughmuir at Netherdale and it will be interesting to see how up-and-coming talent Lee Millar does having been moved to centre for the hosts.

In RBS Premier B, league leaders Heriot’s will face an Edinburgh Accies side keen to get their “middle eight” campaign underway after various postponements.

Elsewhere Jed-Forest play Hawks, Stewart’s Melville host Watsonians and Hawick travel to Hamilton.

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