If recent history is anything to go by, there should be goals in the League 1 meeting between Stranraer and Ayr United at Stair Park on Saturday.
You have to go back to April 2005 for a blank scoreline in the south-west derby and last season’s four meeting produced 20 goals, while Stranraer were 2-0 winners at Somerset Park earlier this term.
The Blues go into the game having lost just once in the last 10 matches, and that was on penalties to Livingston in their Petrofac Training Cup semi-final, with the Honest Men looking for their fourth away win of the season to jump above their hosts in the table.
Ayr boss Mark Roberts said: “Our away record at Stair Park could be better as over the last two seasons we have only won their once. We have drawn once and lost 2-0 and 4-0.
“Bizarrely, the 2-0 defeat was a much harder loss to take than the 4-0 one. In the 4-0 game we actually played really well and no-one could believe that we went off the pitch at half-time three goals down.
“It was one of our best performances in my time here and people look at me like I am daft when I say that because of the score. We simply could not score the goals we deserved and paid a heavy price.
“Stranraer are on a good run just now but our away from is good. In fact, it is the best in the division so we can go there with confidence.
“This fixture has had a ridiculous amount of goals recently. Last season there was 20 of them and they had a 6-3 win, as well as that 4-0 success, and we had a 5-0 win.”
Ayr are also looking to get back to their sparkling early-season form, which saw them top the table and saw Roberts presented with the August Manager of the Month award.
He said: “We started the season by winning our first three games and led the table early on. We want to get back to that form. If we are to do anything this season in terms of being promoted then we have to look to win away games.
“Winning this one also brings another advantage as we would go above Stranraer in the table. This league is incredibly tight and anyone can beat anyone. If you win three games you are going to win the league and if you lose three you are getting relegated. It would be great to start a run up the league with a win at Stranraer.”
Stranraer go into the game on the back of a 1-0 Scottish Cup victory at Peterhead while Ayr face a replay in midweek after drawing 1-1 with Alloa at Somerset Park.
Craig Stewart
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