Dryburgh Athletic Women welcomed Ayr United to New Beechwood on Sunday as they looked to continue their good start to the Barclays SWF Championship season.
The Burgh went into the game unbeaten from their opening two matches following their draw at Stenhousemuir last week. The visitors were still searching for their first points of the season but would have been encouraged by how they had competed against two good sides so far and would no doubt provide a tough test.
Dryburgh started the game confidently and, within the first minute, a driving run from Brodie Clark down the right opened up the opportunity for her to cross. Ayr defended the cross well, with Megan Robb waiting to pounce at the back post.
Robb then got a shot away following a good ball from Rachel Robbie, with the keeper doing well to save to her right.
Katy West was next to try her luck from distance, but her effort was again saved by the Ayr goalkeeper.
Ayr had their first opportunity when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. The initial effort deflected off the wall before Dryburgh were able to scramble it clear.
Jo Fraser was next to go close for Dryburgh when she latched onto a fine ball from Robbie, but her shot was comfortably saved.
Robb then had a shot blocked before the visitors, who looked a real threat from set pieces, had an effort land on the top of the net following a dangerous-looking corner.
After the break, the home side were first to try to break the deadlock when good work from Clark again on the right set up Rebecca Scobie. Her effort, though, was excellently blocked by an Ayr defender.
Dryburgh made changes as they continued to look for the breakthrough, with Clara Laing and Hadyn Coutts introduced in the hope of providing fresh attacking impetus.
A fine flowing move involving Brooklynn Kelly, Brodie Clark and Megan Robb ended with the Ayr keeper producing another fine save, this time to deny Laing, whose low effort was tipped around the post.
Just a few minutes later, Laing was fouled around 25 yards from goal. The resultant free kick was whipped in by Burgh skipper Robbie, with Coutts first to meet it. She helped the ball goalwards, where Laing was on hand to poke it home from close range and give Dryburgh a deserved lead with 15 minutes left to play.
The visitors went close to an equaliser when they struck the crossbar from another dangerous set piece.
At the other end, Clark looked to make the points safe with a strike from the edge of the box, but the Ayr keeper was again equal to it as she continued to produce an excellent performance.
Dryburgh managed to see the game out well to secure another three points.
Credit to Ayr, who made things difficult for the Burgh and, on this performance, look like they will start to pick up points soon.
Dryburgh now travel to take on Bonnyrigg next week.
Final Score:
Dryburgh Athletic 1-0 Ayr United
POTM: Rebecca Lonie
It was another strong performance from the midfielder, who has made an excellent start to the season.
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