Largs Thistle 1 Fauldhouse United 1

SIXTEEN year old Cameron Hambleton made his debut not once but twice in Largs Thistle's first pre-season friendly match on Saturday (reports Drew Cochrane).

The Largs Academy teenager, who is attached to Dumbarton, started the game against the East Super League team, and after he was substituted midway through the second half he was brought back on again near the end.

Although a centre-half, the six foot local lad plugged a gap in midfield as an under-strength Largs showed up well on the wet Barrfields astroturf on Saturday.

The more experienced Fauldhouse started strongly and home keeper Ross Lundy had to be alert to deny the visiting strikers while stopper Nicky Jamieson stopped one dangerous move in the box.

However, Thistle opened the scoring with a great move in the 21st minute. The trialist left back - who was one of the best players on the day - combined with Glenn Thomson who, in turn, fed captain Kevin Struthers whose final ball was netted by the onrushing Larry McMahon.

In a good spell for Thistle a Thomson volley was turned round the post by the keeper, and the young left-back had a promising run and shot saved.

Hambleton linked up well with Struthers who was unlucky to see his effort go inches over the bar.

Fauldhouse were out of the traps first in the second half and Lundy made several good saves to keep his side ahead.

Jamieson was only inches away from scoring a second for Largs with a header from a perfect cross from Thomson who was playing well.

New signing Matt Bennett showed his promise on the left flank when he ran on to a Struthers pass only to see his shot skim the bar.

It was actually end to end stuff and, although Largs could have wrapped up victory, Fauldhouse deservedly equalised with a left wing run which caught out wee right back Steve Lamont and a low cross was turned past Lundy by a substitute.

Largs Thistle: Lundy, Lamont, Jamieson, Gilbride, Newman; Thomson, Hambleton, McDonald, Bennett, Struthers, McMahon. subs - Friels, and

* Photos by Charlie Gilmour.