Admittedly, Somerset is a bit of a dump and I would hate it if all stadiums were like that these days. It's crumbling, has few seats and if you're a short bloke like me you can't see everything from the terracing. However, a trip to grounds like this once every few years is a nice break and gives everyone a good day out.
Somerset is full of good memories for Saints fans, the most notable one being in 2000 when Paul McKnight scored in stoppage time to send us into the SPL. Most of us thought we'd won the league at the time but it turned out this was not the case. We also had a fun day out in the cup exactly six years ago tomorrow, winning 2-0 to make the quarter-finals for the first time in years. More notably, it was also memorable for amusing tannoy announcements asking for the likes of Doug Somner, Peter Godfrey and Gudmunder Torfason to phone home!
While Ayr's stadium may be a bit old fashioned and not really fit for purpose, cup games seem to suit them perfectly. I can remember them pulling off numerous cup upsets in the last 15 years or so, often against Kilmarnock. They are cup specialists, a bit like Tranmere were around the turn of the millennium. They beat Hibs to get this far and while they may be in the second division, we cannot underestimate them for a moment - especially considering we couldn't beat Hibs on Wednesday night. The recent results and performances have taken a bit of the fun and excitement out of this one for many fans.
This game has taken on a whole new dimension after that defeat. If we lose this one, you really have to wonder if Danny Lennon will be in his job much longer. He can blame no one but himself for the situation Saints find themselves in. He signed most of the team and deploys them in negative, stifling tactics week after week - and then bemoans the lack of creativity in the side. His substitutions are baffling and have little impact on the game. If he loses his job - which is unlikely due to our lack of cash - it is his own fault.
After what happened in the last round against Peterhead, you would expect Aaron Mooy and Paul McQuade to get a start - but you'd have expected at least one of them to have registered a start since that replay! While it hasn't worked in the last three games and has provided the grand total of one goal in the last few weeks, don't expect many changes to the side that started on Wednesday. That means another defensive line of four centre halfs and an incredibly defensive midfield, with Hugh Murray likely to take over from the injured Patrick Cregg. Against a second division side. Go figure. Still out injured are Gareth Wardlaw, Garry Brady, David van Zanten and Nick Hegarty.
Brian Reid is one of the top young managers outside the SPL at the moment. He got Ayr promoted in 2009 and while it was no surprise to see them relegated a year later, he is on course to get them into the play-offs again this season. He knows what he's doing and it'll be interesting to see if he ends up elsewhere in the near future. He's certainly worth someone taking a gamble on and he has former Saint Scott MacKenzie in his backroom staff.
The midfielder isn't the only former Buddie at Somerset Park. In the last round we had to deal with the threat of Dennis Wyness potentially putting us out of the cup. This time it's Mark Roberts. The forward was only with us for a few months in 2003 but scored three goals, a fine achievement in a John Coughlin side. he then proceeded to rattle them in at Airdrie and Partick before moving to Ayr and doing the same there. He also scored the goal that defeated Hibs so we need to watch him. Eddie Malone was with us a bit longer than Roberts but played less due to injury and a fall out with Gus MacPherson. He'll relish the chance to try to get one up us tomorrow.
Ayr can also count on the experience of someone who has experienced a Hampden final. Ryan McCann was part of the Queen of the South side that almost beat Rangers in 2008, having scored from 90 yards in their quarter final with Dundee. Other experienced faces include former Airdrie duo Steven McKeown and Scott McLaughlin, former Killie and Dundee United defender Jim Lauchlan, ex Falkirk forward Andy Rodgers and ex Clyde man Alan Trouten.
After the last few games, we desperately need a win and a good performance tomorrow. However, considering we can't beat Hibs and they couldn't be Ayr, I wouldn't be surprised if we're on the receiving end of another cup shock tomorrow.
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