GARRY HAY’S SOMERSET SURPRISE

Mixed emotions? Surely scunnered would best describe Garry Hay’s mood as he scowled at Ayr United goalscorer Alex Williams’ last minute, tap aff celebration with referee Steve Conroy? But for Garry, a supporter as well as a player, the late drama in the 2009 Scottish Cup is not something he would change.

“At the time, you feel as though it’s a loss. Looking back now though, I’m delighted it was a draw and we got to play out the second game.”

The 138th Ayrshire derby presented Kilmarnock’s support with that most trepidatious of prospects: a cup match against your rivals where you are the favourites. But what if you lose?

League form indicated that liberally applying caution to the optimistic pre-tie posturing would be advisable. Killie approached the game on a run of three wins in 11, form soon to be considered a hot streak; April Fool’s Day would come and go before the first league victory of the new calendar year. Very cautious optimism.

And so, to the antiquated charm (let’s be charitable, why not?) of Somerset Park.

“It wasn’t a fantastic stomping ground for us. Obviously, because the teams weren’t in same division, we didn’t have the regular games we had in the earlier years under Tommy Burns and Jim Fleeting. It probably brings more importance to it; you know that you might not see them again for at least two or three years.

Somerset is such a romantic, brilliant place to go and play football. It reminds me of the old Rugby Park. People standing, watching the game under a ramshackle tin roof.”

Garry Hay’s surprising affection for that rusting tribute to times long past was tested on the day itself.

“The weather conditions were absolutely horrendous. I think the groundsmen bought one of those wind and rain machines and were blowing it straight onto the park – it was wild. It made for a right, rip-roaring cup tie. This is the one where Sportscene are sitting rubbing their hands: ‘there’s the first upset’.

At Somerset, I felt we deserved to win the game overall. Allan Russell missed a penalty which would have put it beyond doubt. Fair play to Ayr, they never gave up. They kept pushing and pushing and they got their reward in the end.”

Following what must be the most celebrated draw in Ayr’s history – topless kiss and cuddle for the referee and all – there was the small matter of facing off at Rugby Park to decide who would progress from the Third Round. An early goal – shamelessly slapped into the net by Bryan Prunty – dazed the Premier League team. And worse was in prospect at half time: a Billy Brown and Jim Jefferies glass of cold water to the face.

“Sometimes you’d come in and Jim would start criticizing some boys for not holding the ball up or not working hard enough. You’d think, ‘here’s Billy coming, he’ll be a little bit calmer’. What it would actually do sometimes - Jim is raising his voice and getting a wee bit angrier, and he used to get Billy even angrier. Then, other times, Billy might be angry and having a go at a couple of boys and Jim would come and sit next to you and talk to you, ask you if you’re alright. They could be ‘good cop, good cop’ sometimes, but that would more be on the Monday.

It was definitely what the club needed. They came in and brought a strong winning mentality. They helped build resilience and toughness.”

Mercifully for Garry and his teammates, this debrief was on the tranquil side.

“They were actually fine. They said we needed to move the ball quicker, get beyond their full backs and get crosses in from better areas. Being a bit more calm in possession was what they were looking for.”

Rant avoided, Killie started the second half purposefully. But the joy of a Simon Ford equaliser – and the gleeful, collective rubbing of hands at the prospect of a few more stuck past Stephen Grindlay – didn’t last long.

“I just thought, ‘what a tube. He’s put us a bit in the proverbial here.’”

The brilliantly talented - but at times unpredictable - David Fernández did the full YouTube reel in a perplexing five seconds. After guilefully trapping a hopeful long ball, his reaction to the physical approach of Martyn Campbell was a subtle (he thought) push in the face of the Ayr centre half.

Had Fernández used the same force as Bryan Prunty, he might really have done some damage.

But out came the red card, nonetheless.

To lose such class and craft, just as the part-timers were starting to fade, would surely be a major blow? But playing with – and against – ten is an inexact science. Mehdi Taouil’s magic at the start and finish of a move made it 2-1 and, later, Simon Ford’s second sealed victory for the rejuvenated hosts.

Cue jubilation.

“I was really conscious that I didn’t want that blot on my copybook of being in a team which lost to your local rivals. The joy would have been about nine out of ten, but the relief was probably up at about eight, let’s be honest!”

Words by Gordon Gillen

This article first appeared in the sold out Issue 1 of the Kilmarnock Football Club official magazine of August 2021.