Lewis up for Ayr

“If we can match the kind of performance as against Hearts, we can put ourselves in an exciting position to finish the season in the mix.

Somerset Park will have a lasting memory for Lewis Mayo since his last visit there on 7th November was his first start for Dunfermline. Deeply aware of two goalless matches against Ayr United already this season he predicts that it will be a tough match again there this Saturday:-

“We have cancelled each other out in the last two games but to get what we want we know that we have to go down there and find an edge. Of course the positive is that they have not scored in the last two games against us either!”

Lewis’ debut at right back was in place of the injured Aaron Comrie but for the most of his other 16 starts and four Dunfermline appearances off the bench Lewis has fulfilled a great contribution in centre midfield. The 21 year old who joined on a season long loan from Rangers in September feels that the midfield role comes more naturally to him than a right back role:-

“I have played there in Rangers reserves before and I have enjoyed playing there. Sometimes I have different roles like in the Hearts game, playing more in front of the back four and helping screen there. In other games it has been more of a 4-4-2 with midfield being more box to box. I have enjoyed all the roles that I have been asked to play in there.”

Recalling his debut at Ayr, Lewis claimed that he left that afternoon happy with his performance in a match he remembers as being very competitive.

“There weren’t many chances in the game. It was uncertain for the last twenty minutes which way it was going to go. If we are going to go and get the three points on Saturday, we are going to have to find a way of hurting them.”

Although he had three starts in the Championship last season while on loan with Partick Thistle, Lewis is feeling stronger and more experienced as a result of his matches for Dunfermline.

“Stepping into men’s football it is learning how to cope with the competitive edge and the demands of having to perform every week. As a young player it is about learning how to play in a team where the staff and team mates expect you to go and perform, to try and win and pick up points.”

The last few weeks have seen the ups and downs of football and Lewis felt that the Pars squad recovered well with a really positive reaction against Hearts last Saturday.

“I think we executed the game plan that was set out to try and beat them. I thought we had an edge there and the effort to a man was exceptional. On another day we could have taken three points because we did have the better chances in the game after a tough week both physically and psychologically.

“We were fortunate that there was a short turn around which we had a chance to move on and look forward as quickly as possible.”

Now it is all about the next five matches with fifteen points to play for. Lewis concluded:-

“We are in a strong position and hopefully if we can match the kind of performance as against Hearts, we can put ourselves in an exciting position to finish the season in the mix.

“We need to look at the start of the season form and realise that we can go and beat anyone. The last month has been a reminder of how competitive the league is and for us to get where we want, we need to do it every single game now.”

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