Largs Thistle set to face East Craigie in Scottish Cup

Thistle, sitting in third spot in the West of Scotland Premier League, have been on blistering form this season in the Scottish Cup with a big 5-0 win over Caledonian Braves in the last round, following a solid 2-0 win against Sauchie.

East Craigie had a big win in the last round as they comfortably won 3-0 at Islavale, and they currently sit ninth in the Midlands East Region League.

East Craigie, based in Dundee, lay claim to being the oldest football club playing in the city, having been formed in 1880.

Largs have only suffered two defeats all season, away to Beith in the league and East Kilbride in the South of Scotland Cup.

Thistle will be facing an East Craigie side which will be hurting from an 8-1 defeat at Broughty Athletic on Saturday.

Manager Stuart Davidson will know that there is no room for complacency though as the recent West of Scotland Cup tie at struggling Craigmark showed.

Largs squeezed through on penalties after a 2-2 draw, and a similar outcome after 90 minutes would also lead to a shoot-out this weekend.

Thistle have goals in their side as not only is talisman Will Sewell regularly on the scoresheet, but midfielders Blair Devine, Lewis Davidson, and Jamie Martin have also been weighing in with important goals.

Blair Devine and Jamie Martin celebrate (Image: Newsquest)

Thistle are coming off two league draws against Clydebank and Gartcairn, which was a dramatic 4-4, and will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Manager Stuart Davidson said in the matchday programme: "For most of the Gartcairn game we played really well.

"Our pressing was good, and our attacking play was brilliant. For some reason we didn't defend our box well enough.

"The goals we gave away were cheap and Gartcairn didn't have to work to score them. That was not like how we've been this season.

"We weren't helped by having a couple of injuries and enforced changes, and I think that was part of the problem.

"It was disappointing to miss out on the three points that I felt would have been well deserved, as I felt we were excellent for most of the match.

"To be two goals up three times in the match and not win was very frustrating.

"The boys received some plaudits for their performance at East Kilbride in the South of Scotland Cup but we're not in the next round.

"I think it came down to us not making the most of the chances we had. We lost a goal from a corner when we had a player off injured.

"That can be a distraction and cause some confusion for who is doing what at a set piece. We knew how good East Kilbride are, but we gave them a good game, and that can only be a positive, even if it's the only positive for the night."

Davidson was asked whether he thought the pitch had any influence on the recent win over Lanark, in which Largs had a tough first half before running out 3-0 winners.

He said: "We can't think like that. There are plenty grass pitches that aren't at their best at this time of year.

"Although we're used to our pitch. we need to change a little to play on every surface. It's definitely not an excuse."

* The winning number for the Largs Thistle Lotto was 16. Jim Lamont wins £320 in November's Largs Thistle Lottery draw.

* The club are running a bus to the East Craigie game leaving Barrfields Park at 9.30am on Saturday, November 23, and a seat costs £20. Contact Ali McMaster on 07775 578795 to reserve a seat. The match kicks off at 1.30pm.

* The winner of the Largs Thistle 200 Patron's Club is Patricia McIntyre who wins £1,000 this month.

* Largs Thistle under-15s were five goal winners against Irvine Meadow. Scott Rumbold notched a hat-trick, while Lyall Craddock and Rory Lambertini were also on the scoresheet.

* Largs Thistle AFC are carrying on their good run of form as they were 5-0 victors over Kilmarnock AFC with Glen McTaggart hitting a hat-trick, and goals from Ross McKay and Ian Riddell.