Ayr hit Athletic for six

ANNAN were put to the sword by Ayr United on Tuesday night at Galabank.

Scott Brown’s side showed their Championship prowess as they ran out 6-1 winners in the League Cup Group D match.

The away side pressed early, from a corner kick Jamie Murphy’s header was saved by Zach Balfour before he hit a second attempt which was saved again by the young goalie.

Annan should have taken the lead eight minutes in. Ryan Muir’s wicked low ball was met by Zander Craik. But the new signing was unable to get off the mark as he fired straight at Ayr stopper David Mitchell.

Ayr opened the scoring on 15 minutes. They were able to convert what was almost a carbon copy of Annan’s earlier chance. Nicholas McAllister found Ethan Walker who tapped the ball in off the post.

Ryan Muir had to be alert to block Mcallister’s effort onto the bar to stop the visitors making it 2-0 on the half hour.

Five minutes before the break Walker was clean through after a defensive mishap but Balfour saved well.

However, just a minute later, the full-time side made it 2-0. Murphy showed his quality as he glided down the left before squaring the ball to George Oakley who could not fail to score.

Walker could have had his hat trick and Ayr’s third immediately before the halftime whistle. His curler trailed just wide.

Ayr flew out the traps in the second half and doubled their lead in two minutes.

The Honest Men made added a third less than a minute after the restart when Oakley was on hand to bundle home.

And in the blink of an eye it was four as the full time team raced to win the ball back and Oakley managed to squeeze the ball home again to secure a six minute hat-trick.

On the hour it was 5-0. Great work from the unplayable Jamie Murphy found Dom Thomas. And the winger cut in before finding the top corner with his left foot as Balfour remained rooted to his spot.

With 20 minutes to go Athletic got a goal that their effort very much deserved.

An attacking free kick was eventually directed into the net by Aidan Smith.

But the away side were soon back on top and Lucas McRoberts made it 6-1 when he fired home at the back post.