Match Report

Annan Athletic kicked off their second half development league under 20 fixtures on Tuesday evening at Galabank against the honest men from Ayr, who lifted the points courtesy of a 3 goal burst in the final 5 minutes of the first half. Annan’s hopes were further dashed minutes earlier in the 38th minute when one of their 3 trialists was given a straight red card.
Ayr came close in the 14th minute when Adam Blackman’s free kick rattled the post. Ayr opened their account in the 31st minute when Dale Shirkie ended a good move which opened up the Annan defence finishing with a low 12 yard shot past Craig Murray. Annan responded 3 minutes later when one of the trialists connected with a corner to slam the ball into the roof of the net form 8 yards.
Ryan Nisbet scored the goal of the match in the 41st minute with a terrific shot from 22 yards, Nisbet then had a hand in setting up Mick Wardrobe who bundled the ball over the line from 3 yards. Annan’s first half misery was completed almost on half time when Adam Blackman’s 20 yard free kick eluded the Annan wall and keeper Murray.
Despite their uphill battle Annan made a real match of the second half , they were denied a stone wall penalty kick in the 55th minute when Rabine Omar was blatantly offended. Craig Murray pulled off a superb save to deny Craig McGuffie in the 80th minute and 2 minutes later Annan pulled a goal back Steven Logan and Benji Wagner combined to set the Annan trialist for his second goal of the evening.
It was a good match, one of the positives was the return of Steven Black who came through following a lengthy lay off with ligament damage to put himself back in contention for inclusion for Saturdays important game against Berwick Rangers.
Annan’s next match in the Development League is on Tuesday evening 27th January when they face Clyde at Broadwood Stadium kick off 7-15pm.
Annan Athletic – C Murray , D Wood, Trialist ( D Irving 77 min), S Black, M McAnespie , S Logan, J Johnstone ( J Brown 68 min), Trialist, C Dickinson ( B Wagner 70 min), Trialist, C Dickinson, Trialist, R Omar. Subs not used B Cook, F O’Sullivan..