Beith Juniors 5 Largs Thistle 5 This was an explosive start to the season for both sides, as Largs and Beith shared a terrific ten goals, in a game which had twists and turns by the barrel-load.

In the end, it was probably good that there wasn’t a loser on the day, given that fans had been put through the emotional ringer, but manager Sandy MacLean has plenty to ponder in defence as Largs leaked goals.

It could have been even more than the amazing scoreline suggests for both teams.

Thistle opened the scoring in under two minutes as James Marks got on the end of a long kick out assist from keeper Grant Weir and sidefoot volleyed the ball over the keeper from the right hand edge of the box.

Beith came roaring back and equalised from the penalty spot after full-back Mark Murray shoved Andy Reid in the back when he seemed certain to score, and was given a yellow card for his troubles. Reid converted from the spot, and then scored again moments later with a cute finish as he dinked the ball over the sprawling Grant Weir in the Thistle goal after a blazing run from Docherty on the left.

Midfielder Graham Muir’s long range effort flew narrowly over the crossbar, but it was predominantly Beith who were looking the likelier, as Docherty’s seemingly goalbound effort from the right was dramatically cleared by Fisher at the far post and landed in Weir’s safe hands.

The chances were mounting up and Beith missed some free headers as Largs were toiling, and it was no surprise when the home side moved 3-1 up, and they were queuing up at the far post to meet a deep cross which was bundled over the line by Reid for his hat-trick on 39 minutes.

However, Largs grabbed a lifeline right on the stroke of half-time as Marks doubled his tally for the day with a fast paced diagonal strike following a corner to give the keeper little chance from 10 yards.

Thistle came out the traps fastest at the start of the second half and Muir got his head on to a swirling cross from Barri Stanton to glance home and make it 3-3.

Largs moved 4-3 ahead moments later as Marks reacted first to a lofted free kick into the box to send a well directed header into the back of the net for his hat-trick.

And incredibly Largs moved 5-3 up on 59 minutes after the Beith keeper misjudged a Thistle throughball after rushing off his line and was blocked by - who else - but the Marksman of Thistle as James raised his hand to the air to cheer as he struck the ball into an empty net.

Thistle could have moved 7-3 ahead as new skipper Kevin Struthers burst through on the left hand side and his first shot was blocked, and his follow-up header was knocked wide, and then Marks too managed to break clear once more but his angled effort from the left wing was punched over the bar by the keeper.

It was now Beith who turned the game on its head as they scored twice through McLean and then Reid again scored from close range to deny Thistle a famous win at Bellesdale Park after some more kamikaze defending from ‘Theesel’.

The home side sensed an opportunity and there were some desperate blocks in the Largs defence. Manager Sandy MacLean brought on former Morton youngster Nicky Jamieson to shore up the defence - and that was saying something - and he made the difference making some crucial headers.

On the break, Largs had a last gasp chance to finally see off Beith as Sean Pierce dashed through in midfield as it was three against three but he elected to make a pass to Euan Lindsay which went astray when he should have gone on himself.

The final whistle met with relief from both sets of supporters, probably just so that they could draw breath after such an enthralling encounter.

Largs looked down and out towards the end of the first half, but James Marks made all the difference with a magnificent performance, as his pace gave the Premier League side no end of discomfort.

However, there will be question marks over the shoddy defending at times, which both sides were clearly guilty of, which must be addressed before the important business of the league season starts in just over two weeks time.

Largs: Weir, Fisher, Murray, McLaughlin, C.Little, McDonald, Muir, Struthers, Marks, Lindsay, Stanton. Subs: Pierce, Jamieson, Thomson Beith: Strain, Ryan, Wilson, Donnelly, McShane, MacDonald, Gibson, Frize, Mackay, Reid, Docherty, Convery, Lundy. Subs: McLean, Sheridan, Hobbs