Largs Thistle AFC 4-2 Bearsden AFC (AET, 2-2 FT)

Largs Thistle amateurs needed extra time to see off a resolute Bearsden side in the second round of the West of Scotland Cup at Barrfields on Saturday.

The local side were looking to return to winning ways, following the previous weekend’s defeat to league leaders Catrine, and started the match brightly. Largs enjoyed large amounts of possession in the game’s opening stages - with wide men Ryan McMunn and Scott Cameron seeing plenty of the ball - but struggled to make the breakthrough.

It was somewhat against the run of play that Bearsden took the lead with ten minutes to go till half time. With Largs appealing for offside, the ball was squared to the Bearsden front man, who tapped home from close range.

The hosts quickly struck back, and parity was restored before the break when a Bearsden defender headed into his own net from a Largs corner kick.

The second half saw the introduction of Gordon Smith to the action, and the front man made an immediate impact when he squared the ball to strike partner Grant Cockerill, who made no mistake from close range to put Largs in the lead.

Rather than build on the lead, Largs’ second goal proved the catalyst for the visitors’ best spell of the match. For the next 20 minutes, it was one-way traffic towards the Largs goal. Despite being a relative spectator in the first half, the home side’s goalkeeper David Cunningham produced at least a handful of smart stops to keep a rampant Bearsden at bay. Largs couldn’t hold out, however, and Bearsden equalised after a penalty was awarded against substitute Martin Dunlop for a handball in the box.

The remainder of the second period was played out at a frenetic pace, with chances at either end. No further goals were added, however, and the final whistle signalled a further 30 minutes of action. It was another two substitutes for Largs, Brendan Hill and Sean Robb, who made the difference in extra time. On two occasions, Hill broke free down the right-hand channel before sending in a couple of expert crosses, which were despatched by Robb.

Bearsden did not give up the fight however, and Largs had to be on guard for the remainder of extra time. The home side almost added a fifth goal when Cameron ran almost the full length of the park with the ball – having counter attacked from a corner – but his effort was saved by the Bearsden ‘keeper.

Largs will feel they did enough to merit their place in the next round of the cup, but credit also has to go to Bearsden, who dominated large spells of the second half and who pushed Largs to the last whistle.

It’s back to league business this Saturday for the local side as they travel to Ochiltree.

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