August Ayrshire derby beckons in last 16

RIVALS: Things get heated in Kilmarnock and Ayr's last Rugby Park encounter in 2022 (Image: Kilmarnock FC)

Kilmarnock and Ayr United will go head to head in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup following yesterday’s draw, as both clubs ensures their progression from the group stages.

The fierce rivals both topped their respective groups (G and H) and sealed their places in the knockout phase, being rewarded with their first meeting since 2022.

Gary Naysmith’s Ayr recorded four consecutive victories over Stranraer, Falkirk, Edinburgh City, and Alloa Athletic to see them become a seeded team in Sunday’s draw.

Neil McCann’s Killie ensured their advancement to the next round despite losing on spot kicks to League One Peterhead on Saturday following a goalless draw.

The Rugby Park side recorded previous wins over Raith Rovers, via a penalty shootout, Elgin City, and Hamilton with their home fixtures being played at Auchinlck’s Beechwood Park.

Following victory over Alloa at Somerset Park at the weekend, Ayr assistant Brown Ferguson hailed the group of players for achieving top spot in the group.

He said: “All credit has to go to the guys for going out there and getting the four wins, and ultimately the 12 points to get us through.

“As a new management staff, you want to come in and try and hit the ground running and the group has responded well to what we’ve asked of them and have been really good to work with.

“It’s been a perfect start with seven wins, including pre season games, but it is just a start. The focus now comes on to the league campaign and a fresh start for us all and we want to start off well knowing how hard it will be.”

Despite topping Group H following Saturday’s spot kicks loss at Balmoor, Killie boss McCann knows more has to come from his side going into Premiership action next weekend.

He said: “I think a few of the big boys have stumbled at this hurdle, but the main thing for me was topping the group  and getting through the section.

“Peterhead worked so hard and tried to stop us playing through them, and that’s testament to the coaching from their management team.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, especially in the final third without question. But it’s four clean sheets on the flip side and is quite impressive with the problems that these groups provide with teamS working so hard.”

The sides’ last competitive meeting saw first half goals from Rory McKenzie, Oli Shaw, and Jack Sanders seal a 3-1 Championship victory at Somerset Park for Killie in March 2022, then managed by Derek McInnes.

Their last derby encounter at Rugby Park in February 2022 saw the Honest Men, managed by Lee Bullen, come from behind to win 2-1  with goals from James Maxwell and Patrick Reading despite Fraser Murray opening the scoring.

This latest meeting marks the fourth in the competition in the last 14 years that has seen a single goal separate the rivals in the previous three.

A Dean Shiels goal in a Hampden semi-final roared Killie onto winning the formerly named CIS League Cup in 2012 as Rory McKenzie strike proved enough in a second round tie in 2014.

An Andy Geggan header proved decisive for Ayr in the Betfred Cup group stages derby meeting in July 2017 at Somerset Park.

The tie is scheduled to be played on the weekend of the 15/16 August.