Auchinleck U16s 1 Largs Thistle U16s 2

In a re-run of the Central Ayrshire League Cup Final the Largs kids ended Talbot's league challenge at Merlin Park in Auchinleck.

With regular goalkeeper Cammy McDermid not available Robert Jack took the gloves and pulled off a tremendous save in the opening exchanges, to tip the ball round the post when it looked net bound.

Thistle's central defensive pairing of Danny Herrero-Redden and Cammy Florence kept Talbot at bay as they threw everything at Largs in the early stages.

After weathering the early storm Thistle took the lead in ten minutes. Cameron Ferguson skipped past two challenges and played the ball onto Brad Morrison. Morrison touched the ball out of his feet and unleashed a thunderbolt from twenty five yards which dipped under the crossbar and into the roof of the net.

Largs continued to press forward with David Griffins, Lee McShane and Morrison causing chaos every time they attacked, but were unable to add to their lead before half time.

Ten minutes after the break Thistle doubled their lead. A Cammy Ferguson long throw from the right was missed by everyone except McShane who beat his defender at the back post to head home from six yards.

Auchinleck pulled a goal back on the hour mark when a long hopefully shot came back off the bar and the rebound was stabbed over the line.

Largs were unable to add to their lead with the keeper saving well from a Florence header and a McShane close range shot.

The last 15 minutes saw the game descend into a war of attrition with bookings on both sides, numerous free kicks and Herrero-Redden having to go off with a bad ankle injury.

The Auchinleck long ball tactic in the final minutes was comfortably dealt with by the Largs back line who held out for a hard fought and well deserved three points.

Largs Thistle U16s: Jack, Stewart, Riley, Florence, Herrero-Redden, Mills, Griffins, Ferguson, Morrison, Allen and McShane Used subs: Clive, Bell and Mauchlen