Largs Thistle blow away Auchinleck Talbot in style

THIS was a terrific win for Largs Thistle against league giants Auchinleck as Stuart Davidson's side steamrollered over the top of Talbot in a vintage first half to remember.

Largs won the toss and played with the Barrfields wind machine behind them which really put Talbot to the sword as the away side were under all sorts of pressure from the word go.

A three goal lead at half-time for Largs meant that Auchinleck faced an uphill challenge in the second half, but home manager Stuart Davidson is shrewd enough to know that Talbot would be hurting at halftime and would not take the deficit lying down.

And indeed, even when reduced to ten men in the second half, the visitors had their best period and scored, and came close to reducing the deficit to a potentially nailbiting one goal but a brilliant save from Joe Wilton denied them and prevented the proverbial comeback.

Largs put in a solid showing and managed to see out the game to rapturous applause from their supporters as they sit in fourth spot in the highly competitive West of Scotland Premier League which is a far cry from recent seasons when Thistle have normally been going through the motions at this stage.

There had been a steady queue to get into Barrfields Park for this mouthwatering clash as Largs, yet to concede a goal at home in the league, took on the big guns of Ayrshire.

After a game of head tennis in the high winds, Stuart Faulds' quick flick released Will Sewell who smashed an angled drive into the bottom right corner to put Largs one up in under ten minutes as Thistle's star striker punched the air in glee, making it eight goals in eight appearance in the league this season.

Calm and composed as Will Sewell nets no.8 of the league season (Image: Largs Thistle)

Thistle added a second after Sewell's drilled angled effort was spilled by the Talbot keeper with Lewis Davidson on hand to fire the rebound over the line from close range on 21 minutes.

A huge let off for beleaguered Talbot followed as Sewell hit a deflected effort off the bar following a last gasp defensive challenge.

Thistle celebrations after first half dominant display (Image: Largs Thistle)

Joe Wilton in the Largs goal made a smart save from a Talbot header from ten yards as the away side enjoyed a rare foray into Thistle territory, and also sent a free kick sailing over the bar.

Largs made it 3-0 on 39 minutes as Blair Devine magnificently rose above the Thistle defence to arch a header into the back of the net and put daylight between the sides.

And Devine nearly made it four after another frenetic breakaway but his curling shot from the edge of the area just swept wide as Talbot thanked their lucky stars.

Jamie Martin takes on Talbot (Image: Largs Thistle)

It may well have been a commanding lead at halftime but Largs boss Stuart Davidson was not going to allow his side to become complacent and indeed they kept pushing up in the second half looking for a fourth.

Talbot's chances of a comeback were given a hammerblow when Smith was given a second yellow card early in the second half but it was to Auchinleck's credit that they did pull a goal back when down to ten man after a massive long throw from by Scott Schoneville on the left caused all sorts of problems in the Thistle box.

Wilton was unable to get a good hand on it in the high winds and Langan swept home on 69 minutes.

The Thistle players were lining up for Devine's cross as Davidson headed agonisingly diagonally wide as Largs came close to a fourth, and at the other end Wilton had to be alert to make a double save as Talbot brought on their subs to give some fresh impetus.Sewell shot leading up to goal number two v Talbot (Image: Largs Thistle)

Talbot had a brilliant chance to pull it back to 3-2 but Wilton's outstretched leg saved Thistle's bacon.

Schoneville's long throw again caused havoc in high wind but Largs broke clear with Sewell cynically taken down as he attempted to break clear leading to a free kick inside the Talbot half. 

Sub Travis Stracey then had an excellent chance to make it 4-1 but his sidefoot flick was well read by the Talbot keeper who made a simpler catch than expected.

Thistle held on to make it another big home win and carry on their early season momentum in fourth spot in the West of Scotland Premier League.

There was a feeling that this was very much a statement win for Largs as it certainly will make other teams sit up and take notice but as far as Thistle are concerned, it is just another three points on the board, and it is all about next week's challenge now at Glenafton.

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