High flying Largs Thistle hope to avoid a banana skin as they travel to Craigmark Burtonians in a winner-takes-all clash on Saturday in the West of Scotland Cup 1st round, 2pm kick-off.
Thistle, sitting in second spot in the West of Scotland Premier League, are expected to be too strong for the Dalmellington side who have had a tough start to the season with no points on the board in the Second Division, having shipped in 40 goals in eight games.
However, manager Stuart Davidson will be expecting a professional performance from this troops, and will no doubt be reminding his side that Largs were on the wrong end of a Scottish Cup shock at Craigmark two seasons ago, losing out on penalties at Dalmellington, which was against the odds.
However, Largs are riding on the crest of a wave after a spectacular September which has seen Thistle overcome Sauchie in the Scottish Cup 2-0, Bellshill 7-0 in the South of Scotland Cup, before wins against Auchinleck and Glenafton in the West of Scotland Premier Division putting Thistle one place behind league leaders Clydebank, who they meet at Barrfields next month.
In comparison, it has been a season to forget so far for Craigmark who lost out 2-0 at home to Lanark United on Saturday, and have a goal difference of minus 30, as they sit rooted to the foot of the table.
On the goalscoring front, Thistle striker Will Sewell has scored nine goals in 11 appearances this season, but has yet to open his account in the cup competitions, while winger Jamie Martin has now notched five goals in ten appearances in all competitions.
And just behind is Lewis Davidson with four goals out of 11 appearances so far as the young midfielder has added more goals to his game this season.
However, manager Stuart Davidson has been keen to praise the whole team and not just the headline makers, and defensive colossus Cory Hughes won the man of the match on Saturday for keeping out Glens, while Laurie McMaster had to make a superb defensive clearance to deny Glens a goal on Saturday.
Thistle keeper Joe Wilton has also been on top form, making a number of crucial saves to keep the opposition at bay in recent weeks, and manager Davidson opted for experience on Saturday as Ryan Deas made his first league start since returning to the club, and he was replaced by livewire Travis Stracey who managed to get into some dangerous positions as he looks to add to his two goal tally against Bellshill earlier this month.
Largs now have a break from league business with more cup action taking place over the coming weeks including a Scottish Cup tie at home to Caledonian Braves on October 12. Thistle face a testing trip to East Kilbride in the South of Scotland Cup on a date still be arranged, and Thistle or Craigmark will travel Lanark United in the next round of the West of Scotland Cup on November 2. Sandwiched in between all of that is a league match at Gartcairn who recorded a surprise 3-1 win on Saturday against previous occupiers of 2nd spot in the Premier League Dalmellington.
* Largs Thistle U20s welcome Greenock to Inverclyde Sports Centre at 7pm on Friday. All support is welcome, entry is by donation.
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