New Farm Loch 3-0 Largs Thistle AFC
The New Year got off to a bad start for Largs amateurs as they went down to Kilmarnock side New Farm Loch.
This was the first time the sides had met in the league campaign, and it was the hosts who looked hungrier in the game’s opening stages.
Largs should have taken the lead ten minutes before the break when a neat move in the middle of the park set David Mills clear down the right-hand channel. Mills’ cut-back was met by Fraser Russell, who fired wide from close range.
Largs were made to pay for the miss when the hosts took the lead just short of half time. The visitors lost possession in the New Farm Loch half and a quick through ball sent the striker one-on-one with Largs’ goalkeeper David Cunningham. Despite his best efforts, Cunningham was beaten and Largs went into the break a goal behind.
The visitors only called the home goalkeeper into real action once, with the shot stopper denying James Tyler in a one-on-one. A couple of long range efforts from Tyler were all Largs could muster as they struggled to find a way back into the game.
The home side killed the game with a quick-fire double - a penalty and a close range finish. New Farm nearly added a fourth, but Cunningham pulled off a terrific stop from point-blank range when another goal looked a certainty.
To their credit, Largs didn’t give up the fight and they almost scored a consolation when Alistair McGowan’s shot from 15 yards drifted narrowly wide.
Largs have ten league games remaining, and with at least half-a-dozen teams in the hunt for promotion – including the local side – there’s still plenty to play for.
This weekend sees Largs host Crosshill Thistle. The game will kick off at 2pm with the venue to be confirmed.
Largs would like to thank JG Sharps and the Largs Thistle community for their continued sponsorship and support.