The Honest Men secure promotion to the Championship
Ayr United secured promotion to the Scottish Championship with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Stranraer.
AYR UNITED V STRANRAER
SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF FINAL SECOND LEG
SUNDAY 15TH MAY 2016, 2.45PM KICK-OF
Ayr United secured promotion to the Scottish Championship with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Stranraer.
Goalkeeper Greg Fleming was the hero as he saved three penalty kicks, prompting a pitch invasion as supporters celebrated the prospect of welcoming the likes of Dundee United and Hibernian to Somerset Park in Scotland’s second-tier next season.
Spot kicks were needed to determine the outcome following a cagey and anxious affair which yielded a limited number of chances in regular play.
The Honest Men scored a late equaliser in the first leg at Stranraer on Wednesday evening, meaning that both teams entered the field with all to play for, in front of a near-capacity crowd.
The visitors started positively and registered the first shot on goal when Stranraer midfielder Andrew Stirling forced Greg Fleming to palm away his rifled effort from 20 yards.
Stranraer goalie Cameron Belford was then called into action as he tipped Jordan Preston’s strong long-range shot around the post.
In an evenly matched first half, each side threatened from corners and showed plenty of endeavour in midfield however lacked the quality in the final third to create any clear-cut chances in front of goal. As such, the players returned to the dressing rooms on the 45 minute mark with the tie still very much in the balance.
The teams began the second half tentatively, perhaps unwilling to open up and allow space for their opposition.
However, Stranraer’s Andrew Stirling came close to breaking the deadlock on 55 minutes after weaving in from the left wing to find himself in sight of the Ayr goal. Instead of hitting the target, the midfielder rushed his opportunity and fired over the bar from 12 yards out.
Striker Craig Malcolm then directed a header on goal as the Light Blues looked to take control of the game.
The majority of the second half passed without incident as both sides appeared nervous to seize the initiative amidst the fear of possibly missing out on promotion after a long, hard season.
With nothing to separate the teams after 180 minutes of football, the game drifted into extra-time as both sets of players tired in the Ayrshire sunshine.
There was an air of inevitability about the necessity for a penalty shootout which appeared to consume the players as they lacked composure, energy and invention throughout the additional 30 minutes’ play.
However with 6 minutes left on the clock Stranraer striker Jamie Longworth came agonisingly close to snatching victory for the Stair Park side as he leapt to head inches wide of the far post.
Yet penalties would prove to be the deciding factor, with Fleming stopping Stranraer’s first 3 spot-kicks, allowing Andy Graham the opportunity to strike the winning blow to the delight of the Ayrshire crowd.
The team continued their celebrations in the changing room.