Largs Thistle 7 Bellshill Athletic 0 

Magnificent Largs put in a dazzling display in the South of Scotland Cup second round to overcome Bellshill with a hat trick from Jamie Martin and a late double by Travis Stracey.

It was a dominant first half from Largs Thistle who had a comfortable 3-0 lead at the interval after a determined and disciplined display, and carried on the momentum in the second half against the West of Scotland Second Division strugglers.

Stuart Davidson's side had all the early pressure with Jamie Martin's maverick wing play opening up for a low rifled cross into the box but Will Sewell's half volleyed effort was well blocked by a defender. 

While the pressure continued to build for the visitors, they did manage a surprise break with their forward in the clear but he was soon closed down.

It was a minor blip as Largs continued their high pressing and it was Martin who finished off with a deflected effort after good build up on the left on 15 minutes.

Just like against Sauchie last week, Largs soon gained a two goal advantage. This time it was a clockwork move down the left with Blair Devine's drilled cross from the left byeline slammed home at the near post by the sliding Lewis Davidson for his third goal of the season.

Largs added another to make it three with Devine's clever one-two on the left and a blasted effort into the bottom right hand corner for a stylish strike.

Thistle had more chances with an effort flying across the face of goal and Bellshill's only brief opening seeing the ball slammed high over the bar.

On 55 minutes, Martin notched his second of the afternoon to put Largs four clear with a composed finish. 

More magic from Martin saw him net a deserved hat-trick with a skilful dink over the keeper to make it 5-0 to Largs on 70 minutes to round off another well organised move.

Ok form: Jamie Martin netted a superb hat trick Mar the Merrier: Jamie Martin netted a superb hat trick (Image: Newsquest)

Ojungu's quality finish from a Ryan Deas cross was ruled out by the offside flag moments later.

And Bellshill came close to a consolation with a free kick which thundered off the crossbar. 

Sub Travis Stracey opened his account for Thistle as he dived in to finish off another sparkling move on 83 minutes following a cross from Sean McLeod.

And Ojungu's angled drive was beaten away by the under pressure keeper as Stracey delivered his second on the rebound for a composed angled strike into the bottom corner on 87 minutes to thoroughly underline Thistle's dominance in this cup tie. 


Sub Ryan McCreath headed clear as Bellshill managed to get into the Largs box in the dying minutes. 

The full time whistle brought warm applause from the Thistle support who were left highly impressed with the professionalism of the performance from Davidson's side. 

LARGS: Wilton, McLeod, McMaster, Brady, Hughes, Faulds, McGeown,  Devine, Davidson, Martin, Sewell. Subs: Stracey, Ojungu, Cumming, McCreath, McGrath, Deas, Johnston (GK)