Weir Recreation AFC 3-4 Largs Thistle AFC

Largs Thistle Amateurs secured a spot in the third round of the Scottish Cup after a deserved win.

It was Largs who started brighter than the hosts with Martin Dunlop missing an early chance following some good link-up play with Fraser Russell and Grant Cockerill.

Midway through the half, however, Largs’ pressure paid off. The industrious Russell dispossessed a Weir’s midfielder before setting up Cockerill, who poked the ball home from close range.

The second goal soon arrived from Smith, who made up for his earlier miss by firing an excellent left-shoot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

However, the Glasgow side began the second half like a much revitalised outfit. Within five minutes the deficit was halved, after the referee adjudged Russell to have held back his opponent in the box and awarded a penalty.

Though Cunningham saved the spot-kick down to his right-hand-side, the taker was quickest to react to the rebound and he bundled the ball over the line.

A defensive lapse from Largs allowed a quick second goal for Weir’s when an unmarked striker tapped home at the back post.

The visitors regrouped and retook the lead when Smith headed into an empty net after a Hawkins effort had come off the crossbar. Largs soon added a fourth courtesy of a Turley header.

Weir’s converted a second penalty, which was awarded after Mitchell upended a home striker. Following the conversion, the Glasgow side were reduced to ten men after a bad tempered incident.

Next up for Largs is a trip to Premier League Carrick on Saturday in the Donsport Trophy. The club would like to thank JG Sharps and the Largs Thistle community for their continued sponsorship and support.

Largs: Cunningham, Robson, Mitchell, Campbell, Turley, McMunn, Russell, Dunlop, Hawkins, Smith, Cockerill. Subs: Connelly, Hill, Fraser, McGregor.