Largs Thistle defeat Talbot with stunning Davidson winner

Largs Thistle brushed Auchinleck Talbot aside in dominant fashion on Wednesday night to end their home league campaign on a high.

David McGrath scored the opener, and then Lewis Davidson put his bootlaces through the ball for a spectacular clincher in the second half to send the Thistle faithful home happy.

This was a very disciplined and hard working performance from Stuart Davidson’s side, who very nearly got off to a flyer when Talbot were left flat-footed in the opening seconds as a high ball found the galloping Will Sewell down the right but he sent a blazing effort over the bar.

Defender John Cumming next tried his luck with a 20 yard scooped volley which Talbot keeper Glavin managed to gather.

Thistle opened the scoring midway through the first half thanks to Martin’s dancing feet as he sent in a low cross come shot into the box and McGrath was quickest to react to fire home from close range.

A couple of Sean McLeod runs on the right wing deep into Talbot territory caused the visitors more problems, while Jamie Martin also managed to snuff out a Talbot attack by racing forward with the ball from defence into an attacking position.

This was gutsy and impressive stuff from a Largs side who nullified any Auchinleck treat before the interval as both Sewell and Martin had opportunities blocked during one dangerous attack from Largs.

Auchinleck, who went into the game off the back of a memorable 5-0 thumping of Darvel just 48 hours earlier, were at real sixes and sevens as a result of Thistle’s lightning-quick attacks, and at one point their keeper and defender collided before Clayton managed to eventually hold on to the ball with David Ramsay lurking to capitalise on any slip-up.

Luke Gillies will wonder how he managed to direct a header wide with the goal gaping for the visitors early in the second half.

Auchinleck also skimmed the bar, but Largs managed to get back into their first half rhythm, and doubled their lead with a glorious second goal which will be long remembered at Barrfields.

Lewis Davidson scored a stunning clinching goal for Largs

The ball fell to Lewis Davidson at the right-hand side of the box just past the hour mark, and he put his foot right through it with a beautiful curling effort which screamed into the top left corner and sent the home fans into raptures.

Talbot replied with an effort from Ruaridh Langan which cannoned back off the post, but Largs were not finished, and McGrath nearly added his second of the night with a header which struck the woodwork after another Thistle corner.

Largs were good value for their two goal victory as the game petered out at the end with Thistle largely in control of matters.

Auchinleck were playing their third game in five days, and while they will feel they were far from their best, they still managed to carve out some good opportunities despite playing second fiddle to a bright and breezy Largs side.

The Thistle fans applauded the players off the park and also to assistant manager Martin Crawford, who was given a guard of honour by the team and management as he left the field.

Crawford is stepping down from the role he's held since the summer of 2017, and his words of wisdom and coaching experience will be much missed in the Largs set-up.

Both Largs and Auchinleck bring down the curtain on their campaigns this Saturday, May 11, with Thistle travelling to Cumbernauld to face a Rob Roy side who need a miracle to avoid the drop - and whose relegation could be confirmed on Friday night if Glenafton avoid defeat against Cumnock.

Talbot's final match of the season is away to Benburb.

LARGS: Wilton, McLeod, Devine, McCreath, Cumming, Faulds, Ramsay, Davidson, Sewell, McGrath, Martin. Subs: Adam, Ojungu, Duffy, Tennent, McMaster, Lapsley, Johnston (GK).

Auchinleck: Glavin, Abed, Schoneville, Slooves, McPherson, Langan, Boyle, Wardrope, Boyd, Glasgow, Gillies. Subs; Henry (GK) Smith, Kennedy, Lennox, Urquhart, McCracken, Nimmo.