Big Shot Youth Cup Quarter-Final
DUNDEE UNITED 3
AYR UNITED 0
AYR United Under-20’s made the trip north on Sunday morning for their lunchtime kick off with Dundee United.
The mood was buoyant amongst the Ayr players and staff who were looking forward to the challenge ahead.
Dundee United started strongly and had the better part of possession and the better attacking threat through the first 15 minutes. They shot wide on a couple of occasions and fired crosses into the box but the Ayr defence coped well.
 After 15 minutes, Ayr dug themselves back into the match with Mick Wardrope and Craig McGuffie s pull the strings in midfield and young Andy Johnstone constantly running at the Dundee United full-back.
Ayr's first real chance came courtesy of a free-kick. After a small scramble at the edge of the box, a McCreadie shot went over the bar.
The next five minutes saw McKenzie chasing down every loose ball near the home goal.
Ayr then down the left and Macauley Wilson's left-foot drive also went wide.
Ryan Nisbet found himself running at the defence 20 yards out to the right hand side. however his strike was deflected and the ball fell at the feet of the Arabs keeper. 
 Just before the break Newman found Andy Johnstone, who  ran down the right, dodged two challenges and won Ayr their first corner. McGuffie’s set-piece was cleared and another corner from Kick Wardrope’s was well collected the Dundee United stopper.  Ayr then had their best t chance of the half when Craig McCracken picked up the ball just inside his owh half and played a magnificent ball through to Nisbet who found himself one-on-one with the keeper. A last ditch attempt from the defender managed to edge Nisbet out wide and his shot was well saved. 
However with the opening period goalless, there was all to play for in the second half.
Just after the break Ayr came close when Sean McKenzie played through on the right  and his shot was well saved by the keeper.
Ayr would go on to rue this chance and Dundee United went up the park after the corner and won themselves a free-kick.in 48 minutes. A home player whipped in a wicked cross which it was nodded home by Aaron Duke.
Minutes later Nisbet was caught offside and Craig McCracken saved Ayr with two good clearances from Dundee United attacks. 
In 56 minutes Dundee United doubled their lead when good play through the middle saw the ball fall at the feet of Brad Smith, whose 20-yard shot found its way past the United keeper. It was a real blow for Ayr, who had created most of the chances
In 61 minutes Ayr were denied a penalty when a Hilton looked to have been handled inside the box, however the referee waved play on.
Hilton then had a chance but a home defender foiled him.
Nisbet collected the ball 30 yards out in 65 minutes, but his shot glanced wide. As Ayr kept pressing a McGuffie header spun over the bar.
Ayr had another penalty shout in 79 minutes.when a visiting player was brought down in the box, but again play continued and the ball fell to Nisbet who scuffed his shot.
The young Honest Men would then rue their missed opportunities as Dundee United countered Ayr in 80 minutes. A great run by home dangerman Justin Johnson, would see him beat twoAyr players and laid he ball back for Raymond Tumilty, who smashed a shot past Newman and into the top corner.
Credit to the Ayr lads who still never gave up and continued attacking
Ayr had one last chance through the lively Nisbet, but his shot struck the side netting.
The scoreline definitely didn’t reflect Ayr's efforts and the visitors can count themselves very unlucky.
AYR UNITED: Shaun Newman; David Waite,. Jamie Ballantyne,. Macauley Wilson, Craig McCracken, Stevie McCreadie Andy Johnstone, Mick Wardrope,. Sean McKenzie, Craig McGuffie, Ryan Nisbet Subs: Luke McCowan, James s Hilton, Stuart Faulds. Jaoi Holland, Lyle Avci..