Kaisayr’s game plan to stifle the ‘Corner’s open, passing style proved successful in the end, with the match played on a very small pitch with little room for manoeuvre. The conditions, however, were the same for both teams and Kaisayr had come better prepared for the encounter.
Darren O’Rourke and Dave Clark of local band The Banter Thiefs, generous sponsors of Fir Park Corner’s away kit this season, posing with the FPC squad. The band’s latest release, All Your Life, is available on iTunes now.
The match was barely four minutes old when the Motherwell side conceded an unfortunate goal. The Ayr midfielder received the ball on the edge of the box, and his powerful shot was deflected high in the air, looping right over keeper Clark and just under the bar. Ayr had also had the vision to bring along a long-throw specialist, whose throws were as good as corners on the tight pitch. The home side doubled their lead after fifteen minutes when the striker got a knock on at the near post from one such throw, and it eluded both defence and keeper to make it two nil.
FPC fought back briefly and managed to snatch one back from a free kick, MacKenzie’s delivery expertly headed in off the post under pressure by Totten. 2 – 1 the half time score then, and FPC looked livelier in at the start of the second period, but much of their usual free flowing football style was missing, although they did adapt to the conditions as the match wore on. More heartache was to follow on the hour however, an Ayr corner was knocked clear from defence, only for it to cannon off the striker’s foot and land in the net.
FPC made several changes to try to freshen things up, with Fox getting a couple of strikes on target and Steel also went close. The match closed out without further scoring however, and Tait saw a late red card for a second bookable offence with a minute left. FPC now need to defeat Ayr in their return match at Ravenscraig and ensure no more slip ups if they are to retain the Scottish title.
Kaisayr 3 – 1 Fir Park Corner (IFA Scottish League 24/3/12)