Ayr United goalkeeper David Hutton is looking forward to a footballing first when his side take on Dunfermline at Somerset Park in League 1 this evening.
After spells with Aberdeen, Clyde, Queen of the South, Hamilton Accies and Morton, Hutton is finally playing a Friday night fixture. Ayr are third in the table, three points behind the Pars and four adrift of leaders Forfar.
The 29-year-old said: “It will be great to be involved in this game as I do not think I have played on a Friday before. There should be a bigger crowd, which will be great and will help us after a couple of recent disappointments.”
Mark Roberts’ side sat top until two late goals against Airdrie turned victory into defeat a fortnight ago, then they went down 2-0 to Peterhead at Balmoor last Saturday.
Hutton said: “Things went against us when we played Airdrie due to injuries and at Peterhead we simply never got going. Both our centre-backs, Peter Murphy and Martyn 'Bobo' Campbell, went off injured against Airdrie and missed out against Peterhead. That affected us but hopefully they will be back against Dunfermline as their presence and experience helps.
“While the last couple of weeks have been disappointing we are only four points off the pace at the top, and have beaten leaders Forfar already, so we are not too far away.”
The game will also see the return of former Ayr hitman Michael Moffat to Somerset Park after his summer move to Fife and Hutton added: “Michael will be back and it will be good to see him.
“We will be looking to keep him quiet as he is a good player and one of the best strikers I have played with. He also enjoys a bit of banter so he will be getting it large any time he comes within earshot!
“We have got good replacements in, with Craig Beattie joining - he has scored three in three games with a couple at Brechin and one against Airdrie. Ryan 'Giggsy' Donnelly is also proving to be very useful as well.
“Alan Forrest is more home-grown and he is a real prospect. He is quick and pacy and a lot of people reckon he is better than his brother James was at 18.
“He is a confidence player and is over the shoulder injury he had which is good as he was holding it like he had been shot! Once he has had a bump on it and sees that he is OK he will be flying again.”
After a disappointing year at Morton, where Hutton was kept in reserve to Derek Gaston, the No 1 is relishing life at Ayr.
He said: “I love being here as I simply enjoy playing every week. Ayr are a good club and the manager is good with me. He said when I came here from Morton that I was going to be his No 1 and that is what I needed after not getting enough football there.
“I am also getting taught by 'The Goalie' Andy Goram once a week and on matchdays. You cannot fail to learn from him. He is also the Godfather to my daughter, so we are close.
“Andy Millen is another huge character at the club. Having a guy like him on your coaching staff is great as he played so many games and has huge experience. He is old school - he and the boss just bounce off each other.
“The boss and the two Andys make training great - hopefully we can show what we have learned against Dunfermline and can get our weekend off to a great start.”
Craig Stewart
.png){kind=logo}
