Benburb 3 Largs Thistle 3
Largs Thistle star striker Will Sewell led from the front as the Barrfields side went ahead three times, only to be pegged back on each occasion by a Benburb side boosted by the new joint management of brothers Robbie and David Winters.
Sewell has been in a rich vein of form recently and carried on his goalscoring streak having played over 120 games now for Thistle.
He is just too hot to handle for opposing defenders, having scored six goals in six games in the West of Scotland Premier League so far this season.
Thistle faced a trip to Govan on Saturday where the Winters brothers had been installed as the new management team and they will have been pleased by the determination and fight shown from their side to come back three times.
However, it was uncharacteristic from Largs who have built up a reputation for a strong defensive unit but have now conceded five goals in their past two games.
The game kicked off late at 2.13pm following a delay in Largs transporting kit to the match.
A minute's silence was held for former junior footballer Mark McCuish who was a well known Glasgow firefighter and ex-footballer, most notably with St Anthony's.
Minutes silence for Mark McCuish pic.twitter.com/vMf8F9QLjW
— Benburb FC (@BenburbFc) August 24, 2024
Largs opened the scoring after a positive start with Sewell getting on the scoresheet after 12 minutes, but Benburb levelled matters on 25 minutes through McKinlay.
On the half hour Jamie Martin had a good opening but couldn't quite convert.
Just three minutes later, Sewell showed good composure on the break to convert and put Largs 2-1 up but it wasn't for long as the New Tinto Park side got another quick equaliser as Sallu Turay made it 2-2 from close range with 40 minutes played.
On 55 minutes, Blair Devine slid in but couldn't reach Will Sewell’s cross but both were involved in the third goal with the club confirming it was Sewell that netted his hat-trick on 64 minutes.
However, Benburb were far from finished and tested Joe Wilton in the Largs goal as McKinlay chased an equaliser for the Bens.
And on 73 minutes, the home side did notch the sixth goal of the encounter as sub Ross Urquhart got on the scoresheet to make it 3-3.
It could have got worse for Largs too as Benburb hit the post with 12 minutes remaining in the match.
Largs made changes on the 80 minute mark as Kieran Brady and Sean McLeod entered the fray for Cory Hughes and Martin, while Travis Stracey replaced 19 year old Chris McGeown.
It was Thistle's turn to nearly nick the game as Lewis Davidson struck the post on 85 minutes and Will Sewell brought out a good save from the Bens keeper as Largs enjoyed a strong finish to the contest.
It was a good day for Sewell who also notched another man of the match performance this season, and his second hat-trick on the road after the midweek encounter against Cumnock.
LARGS: Wilton, McMaster, Hughes, Faulds, Bradley, McCreath, Devine, McGeown, Davidson, Martin, Sewell. Subs: McLeod, Brady, Stracey, Cumming, Deas, Ojungu, Johnston (GK).
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