Ochiltree United AFC 0-9 Largs Thistle AFC

A rampant Largs amateurs put in their strongest display of the season so far to hit league rivals Ochiltree United for nine, in a one-sided game that included a four-goal salvo from Sean Robb.

Straight from the first whistle, however, Largs stamped their authority on the match at the new 3G at Townhead Park, Cumnock.

The first goal arrived when Robb converted from close range after being set-up by Grant Cockerill, who was causing his opponent all sorts of problems on the right wing.

Largs doubled their lead five minutes later when Fraser Russell, who, alongside Martin Dunlop and Barry Wilson, controlled the midfield battle all afternoon, tapped home a loose ball for his first goal of the campaign. Russell’s goal was quickly followed by Robb’s second of the afternoon, putting the game firmly in Largs’ control.

The visitors added a fourth goal before the break courtesy of Dunlop, who latched on to a Cockerill through ball to strike a left-foot shot across the ‘keeper and into the bottom corner. Although the action was almost entirely being played out in the Ochiltree half, Largs goalkeeper David Cunningham and his back line of George Hawkins, Alistair McGowan, Dale Robson and Stuart Turley reacted well when called into action.

Largs suffered a blow right at the start of the second half when striker Gordon Smith took a heavy knock from a challenge in the middle of the park and had to be carried off the field. Smith was replaced by Scott Fraser who joined Robb and Cockerill in attack.

Any lingering hopes the hosts had of getting back into the match were extinguished by the impressive Robb, who scored a quick-fire double in the opening minutes of the second half, which included a superb side-foot, flicked finish at the front post.

Peter Galbraith, Brendan Hill and Kris Connelly came off the bench during the second half.

Three more goals were added by Largs courtesy of a Fraser double – including an excellent first-time volley from a corner kick – and a second of the afternoon for Dunlop, who converted from the penalty spot after Connelly had been upended.

Credit should go to Ochiltree, who, despite the score line, continued fighting until the final whistle and created a number of goal scoring opportunities in the game’s closing stages.

The result was a boost for Largs ahead of their Scottish Cup third round tie away to Kingdom Caledonian League side Cupar Hearts this Saturday.

Largs would like to thank JG Sharps and the Largs Thistle community for their continued sponsorship and support.