Largs Thistle 1 St Mirren U20s 4

Thistle assistant boss Stuart Davidson predicted his side would be given a tough game by St Mirren's U20s, and so it proved in a dominant first half.

A heavily depleted Largs side put in an improved second half display to stem the tide.

An early Matt Bennett corner on the right found Kevin Struthers with a glancing header which was well saved by the St Mirren keeper.

The Paisley Buddies were certainly quick to pounce, and a bad slip up allowed Lewis McLear a clear run through on goal but was upended. Penalty awarded, and McLear put Saints 1-0 up from the spot on 14 minutes.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:

Creag Little headed wide from another corner, and Glenn Thompson, who is playing for a new contract, put in a dangerous cross which was headed off the line but Saints were very lively at the other end.

Largs keeper Sean Graham nearly stopped a St Mirren thunderbolt of a goal as Connor O'Keefe let rip with an angled 16 yard strike into the top right corner of the net on 36 minutes. 2-0.

Barclay found space on the left and chipped Graham for McLear to force the ball home at the far post on 43 minutes. O'Keefe got a brace with another angled drive a minute later, and the half-time whistle couldn't come quick enough for Thistle.

There were fears of a second half onslaught, but Largs made substitutions, and a lot of players from Thistle U19s featured in the second half, making it a more even contest in age range, and competitiveness.

Struthers was downed in the penalty box for a spot-kick on 54 minutes. The Thistle skipper lashed the ball home to reduce the deficit (see picture below).

Largs and Millport Weekly News:

Largs had further chances to reduce arrears with new signing Love blazing over, Bennett sending a dangerous cross come shot wide, and Struthers heading over.

Unfortunately, Ciaran Friels' comeback was shortlived as he had to be substituted just ten minutes after coming on, after sustaining an injury.

Largs: Graham, Littler, McMaster, Gilbride, Little, Thomson, Lamont, Lennox, Struthers, Love, Bennett. Subs: Friel, Hambleton, Traynor, Rafferty, Reid.

St Mirren: Willison, McNaughton, Barclay, Glover, Whyte, McKendry, O'Keefe, McBrearty, McLear, Scally, McAllister. Subs: East, Bredner, Johnston, Fox, Trialist, Henry (GK)