Somerset holds happy memories for me. It will always be connected with Paul McKnight's stunning goal in 2000 that sent us up and almost won us the league. It's the place where I first saw us reach the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup. I've also seen a pie stall catch fire there and spent an afternoon laughing at amusing tannoy announcements. Good times.
Anyway, on to the slightly more serious stuff (although not that more serious as it is a friendly). Things have gone well this week. Two wins, five goals scored, one goal conceded and only a couple of knocks - and those were expected considering it's Tom Brighton and Steven Robb that are struggling. Everyone has had a run out to gain some fitness and everything is looking good. Tomorrow's team will be a mixture of the folk that have played the last two games and may hint towards what the management thinks is our strongest side.
Of course, it might not. The two mystery trialists are likely to get another run out, with the centre half looking decent and the right winger looking decidedly dodgy. No doubt we'll go for the latter and ditch the defender! With the squad set to leave for Italy soon, tomorrow is probably the last chance for this pair to impress.
Ayr boss Brian Reid has put together a decent side and seems to be a highly rated young manager. Last season he guided them to promotion from the second division and almost achieved immortality when the Honest Man ran local rivals Kilmarnock close in the Scottish Cup. He has a relatively experienced squad, with familiar names like Mark Roberts and Kevin "freak" James and, while they'll probably be battling the drop this season, I fancy their chances of staying up.
For the next few days I'm without internet access so will not be able to post a brief match report or any signing news until Sunday or Monday. Sorry about that!