Largs Thistle 4 Whitletts Victoria 1

LARGS Thistle got a valuable workout on Saturday to see off West of Scotland Division Two outfit Whitletts Vics at Barrfields Park in a friendly.

Largs, who sit in second spot in the West of Scotland Premier League, got the opportunity to give some of their fringe players a run-out in this fixture with keeper Matt Johnston taking over the goalkeeping gloves from Joe Wilson, and John Cumming, Cole Ojungu and Travis Stracey all receiving starts.

Whitletts, who have recorded seven wins out of nine in their division and are sitting in second spot, made life difficult for Largs in the early stages and scored an early opener on four minutes via Fraser McMillan to throw an immediate spanner in the works for Stuart Davidson's side.

Ojungu’s effort on 24 minutes trailed just wide of goal as Largs looked to get back on level terms.

Veteran Ryan Deas showed his experience to net the equaliser for Thistle on 28 minutes.

And Largs moved into the lead on 55 minutes as midfielder Chris McGeown scored to give Thistle the advantage against the South Ayrshire side.

On the hour mark, Stracey raced through but the keeper managed to get a good parry to deny the Thistle forward, and on 69 minutes, David Ramsay went close for the home side.

Travis Stracey in action for Largs in recent Craigmark clashTravis Stracey in action for Largs in recent Craigmark clash (Image: Newsquest)

On 75 minutes, Ojungu forced a double save from the under pressure Whitletts keeper.

Any edginess from a narrow one goal lead was blasted away in the 84 and 85 minutes marks, as both Lewis Davidson and Blair Devine added to Thistle's lead to make it a commanding 4-1.

Stuart Faulds in actionStuart Faulds in action (Image: Largs Thistle)

With two games in four days coming up for Thistle upon their return to competitive action with testing away visits to Gartcairn in the league and East Kilbride in the South of Scotland Cup, it was important for Largs to keep their momentum and drive going with what turned out to be a comfortable score in the end after Whitletts dug in.

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