First League Encounter See United Advantage

Ayr United have had some good early success against Peterhead.

Their first win was at Recreation Park, Peterhead - in a Scottish Cup 1st Round match on 25th January 1947 in a 5-1 win in front of 5,000 spectators which the Honest Men won by 5-1.

The second encounter (and Ayr’s second win) was in a friendly match played on 28th July 1999 at Balmoor, Peterhead’s new stadium, as part of a series of pre-season friendlies in the highlands. This game ended in a 3-2 win for Ayr. No programme for the game was issued.

As Peterhead did not enter the league until the 2000/01 season United did not play a league match at Peterhead until 8th October 2005 when a combination of Ayr United’s earlier relegation from Division 1 and Peterhead’s promotion from Division 3 brought them together.

A six-goal thriller at Balmoor Stadium was a fitting way to begin the clubs' league encounters and it ensured both sets of fans went home entertained. Its a shame only 490 fans saw the match.

Peterhead took an 18th minute lead through Chris Hegarty and Ayr should have levelled six minutes later but Jerome Vareille saw his spot-kick saved by home keeper Paul Mathers. United equalised after 48 minutes. Peterhead were back in front in the 54th minute, but Ayr drew level again in the 72nd minute, Vareille casually sweeping the ball into the net from 18 yards.

United looked to have sewn the points up when they took the lead for the first time with a stunning strike from Ray Logan 11 minutes from the end following a free-kick but Linn scored in the final minute for a share of the points.

The last match of the season took place at Balmoor on 29th April 2006 and Ayr recorded their first ever league victory their with a fine 2-1 win.

Ayr visited the Blue Toon on 25th November 2006 suffering a 3-1 defeat, but recorded a 2-1 win a few weeks later in a Scottish Cup match by 2-0. 27th January 2007 saw more league points dropped to Peterhead with a 0-0 draw at Somerset and a draw was obtained in the last match of the season at Balmore by 2-2. 

The following season saw little change when Peterhead came from behind to win 2-1 at Ayr on 29th September 2007. Alex Williams scored early on for United. Goals from Cowie on half time and Bavidge in 63 gave the Highlanders the win. Bavidge was again on the score sheet on 8th December putting the Blue Toon head just after the hour after Alex Rae had been sent off. Mann and McKay finished the match off with goals in 87 and 90 giving Peterhead a 3-0 wn. Late goals and sending off’s were becoming a habit , not to mention 3-0 scorelines. Peterhead won 3-0 on 9th February 2008 when two late controversial penalties on 89th and 90th minutes and a sending off for Ayr’s Forrest settled the points.