Ayr Utd are one step from the Premier Sports Cup knockout stages after a gritty 2-0 win over Edinburgh City at Somerset Park on Saturday, with goals from Dundee United loanee Owen Stirton and Kenzie Mitchell.
What happened against Edinburgh City?
The Honest Men needed only a point to book their knockout stage spot, but Gary Naysmith set a higher target: all three points. They delivered after a poor first half, with Stirton’s first goal for the club arriving after the hour mark. Mitchell then added a 15th-minute stoppage-time strike to seal the win.
Naysmith admitted his side were well below par in the opening 45 minutes. “We were well below standards in the first half,” he told Ayr United TV. “Edinburgh were well organised, well drilled-we found it difficult to get any real control.” The manager praised his players for regrouping at half-time and finding a way to grind out the win.
Why it matters for Ayr Utd
With the Premier Sports Cup knockout stages in sight, Naysmith’s side now have a clear incentive: a seeded draw next week. They sit seventh in the Championship with 39 points from 36 games, eight wins and 15 draws, but trail league leaders St Johnstone by 38 points. Their recent form reads LLLWL, with five straight defeats including a 0-1 loss to St Johnstone on 1 May 2026.
Naysmith stressed the need for improvement despite the positive result. “There are a lot of things we need to work on,” he said. “But the biggest thing today was to get the three points to follow up the victory at Falkirk.” His side have won six of their last six games in all competitions, including pre-season, but he insists the demand for better will never drop.
What comes next?
Ayr Utd host Alloa Athletic on 25 July 2026 needing just one point to secure their knockout stage place. Naysmith wants more. “We need to be refreshed to go again next week,” he said. “Get a victory and a chance of going through with 12 points and to be seeded in the next round-that’s what we’ve got to aim to do.”
The manager’s side have scored 38 goals this season but conceded 47, leaving them with a -9 goal difference. Their next step is clear: finish the group stage strongly and turn their focus to the knockout draw. League standing: seventh in the Championship, 39 points, eight wins, 15 draws, 13 losses from 36 games, recent form LLLWL.
