19 MARCH, 2022 - SHANK MEDIA, BY MATT HOOPER: Arbroath remained on the tails of Cinch Championship leaders Kilmarnock with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Gayfield Park, with Jack Hamilton's 50th minute header enough to see them past a dogged Ayr United.
WHILST IT WAS A SUNNY DAY ON THE ANGUS COAST A COLD WIND BLEW ACROSS GAYFIELD PARK, MAKING IT TRICKY FOR DEFENDERS AND GOALKEEPERS AT BOTH ENDS OF THE PITCH. THE FIRST HALF WAS A BIT OF A SLOG FOR BOTH TEAMS WITH VERY FEW CLEAR-CUT CHANCES CREATED BY EITHER SIDE, BUT IN THE SECOND HALF ARBROATH GAINED EARLY MOMENTUM, PRESSING BACK THE VISITORS, AND GETTING THE EARLY GOAL. AYR COULD ONLY MANAGE A SOLITARY SHOT ON TARGET THROUGHOUT THE GAME, AND THE HOME SIDE'S EXTRA QUALITY TOLD AS THE GAME WENT ON.
Ayr goalkeeper Aidan McAdams made big saves from Michael McKenna and Luke Donnelly as the hosts pressed for more. Ayr's Sam Ashford was sent off in the 78th minute for a rash challenge on Arbroath's Jason Thompson.
Arbroath are at home next Saturday in a crucial game against Raith Rovers, with the visitors themselves pushing for a playoff place in the race to the SPFL Premiership. I will be at GAYFIELD PARK once again to cover the game.
