Three Out of Three For United

Edinburgh City did not join the league until season 1931/32 but it was not until season 1936/37 that the clubs finally met, on 2nd Division due to Ayr’s relegation the previous season.

The clubs met for the very first time at Somerset park, Ayr on 22nd August 1936 with Ayr winning by 3-2.

14th November 1936 was the date of their first ever meeting in Edinburgh with Ayr United winning by a large 4-1 margin at Pilton Park.

 With Edinburgh City not returning to the league after the war these matches are the only times that the clubs have met on league business.

However, the clubs met on 11th December 2004 in a Scottish Cup business at Somerset Park where two late goals eased Ayr through to a Third Round clash with Stranraer after the plucky Edinburgh City threatened to cause an upset at Somerset Park. 

In 24 minutes Ayr got their breakthrough when Gilmour picked out the unmarked Ferguson who buried a textbook header into the bottom corner of the net.  The expected floodgates didnt open and it was not until 70 minutes when a Conway corner was only half cleared to Ferguson and his shot was too hot to handle for Mackintosh, allowing Henderson to slam home the rebound from six yards.

Three minutes later a cross cum shot from substitute Gareth Wardlaw required Mackintosh to be alert and tip over the bar as the Edinburgh defence started to stretch. A minute on they were breached again as Douglas Gair conceded a fairly innocuous penalty for pushing and Willie Lyle took his rare chance for a goal by converting from the spot.

Ayr finished strongly winning ultimately by 3-0.