Largs AFC promoted!

Due to results earlier in the week, Largs travelled to Kilmarnock knowing that three points would secure a top two place and - buoyed by the previous weekend’s victory against Ayr - took to the field in determined fashion.

Any nerves Largs may have had were quickly allayed when James Tyler fired the visitors in front inside the first ten minutes. In similar fashion to his winning goal against Ayr, the front man outmuscled his opponent before firing an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Five minutes later Largs were in dreamland. Preparing to take a throw-in, the alert David Mills spotted Martin Dunlop’s run from the midfield. With the hosts caught napping, Dunlop let the ball come over his shoulder before hitting a thumping shot off the inside of the right-hand post, with the ball eventually nestling in the opposite corner of the net.

Just as it looked as though Largs were going to have it all their own way in the spring sunshine they let their opponents back into the match almost immediately. A free-kick was conceded 20 yards from goal, which a Craigie midfielder struck, right-footed, into the corner of goalkeeper Stephen Connick’s net.

Within ten minutes, however, the two-goal cushion was restored, and it was the same combination that brought Largs their third goal of the match. With the ball at his feet on the by-line, Mills, again, spotted Dunlop’s run into the box from midfield - this time Dunlop’s right-footed drive was diverted into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

The third goal knocked the stuffing out of Craigie, and Largs played out the remainder of the first-half in relative comfort, with Connick and his back-line of Paul Blair, Stuart Turley, Alistair McGowan and Jamie McKillop being rarely troubled. Dunlop and Andrew McGregor were in full control of the midfield battle, with wide men Grant Cockerill and David Hillier providing ammunition for the front pair of Tyler and Mills.

The opening ten minutes of the second half saw Craigie go in search of a goal to bring them back into the match, but, despite sensing slight nervousness in the Largs ranks, they were unable to put Connick under any serious pressure.

Any lingering doubts about the game’s outcome were put to bed by the most unlikely of sources, with defender Jamie McKillop registering his first goal of the season. Following a corner-kick from the left channel, the defender, who has been in great form of late, latched onto a flick-on and unleashed a stinging drive from the edge of the box, which flew into the top corner of the net.

The game was now being played almost completely in the Craigie half of the park, and Largs had numerous chances to increase their lead. The fifth goal duly arrived with 20 minutes remaining and brought with it the completion of Dunlop’s hat-trick. Latching onto a loose ball in the box, the midfielder’s effort was deflected by a home defender, sending the ball spinning over the helpless ‘keeper and into the net.

Not to be outdone, and not content solely with opening his account for the season, McKillop doubled his tally with five minutes remaining. Having advanced forward again for a corner-kick, McKillop this time sent a sweet strike into the bottom corner of the net with his left boot, a goal that put the stamp on a fine afternoon’s work for Largs.

The 2015 calendar has seen Largs drop only three league points, and the local side have put in some free-flowing displays. In a testing league, they have also shown battling qualities when required, and their promotion to Division Two is richly deserved.

Mathematically, Largs can still win the league, though this would require a major slip-up from Hurlford in their concluding three matches of the season.

Largs play their final match of the campaign this Saturday when they welcome visitors Darvel Victoria to the seaside.

The local side would like to thank MacAulay’s Bar and McMillan Motors for their continued support.

Largs: Connick, Blair, McKillop, McGowan, Turley, Cockerill, McGregor, Dunlop. M, Hillier, Mills, Tyler. Subs: Marshall, Dunlop. G, Fraser, Hill Largs AFC secured promotion from Ayrshire Division Three with a stunning performance, beating opponents Craigie 6-1 away from home on Saturday.

Due to results earlier in the week, Largs travelled to Kilmarnock knowing that three points would secure a top two place and - buoyed by the previous weekend’s victory against Ayr - took to the field in determined fashion.

Any nerves Largs may have had were quickly allayed when James Tyler fired the visitors in front inside the first ten minutes. In similar fashion to his winning goal against Ayr, the front man outmuscled his opponent before firing an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Five minutes later Largs were in dreamland. Preparing to take a throw-in, the alert David Mills spotted Martin Dunlop’s run from the midfield. With the hosts caught napping, Dunlop let the ball come over his shoulder before hitting a thumping shot off the inside of the right-hand post, with the ball eventually nestling in the opposite corner of the net.

Just as it looked as though Largs were going to have it all their own way in the spring sunshine they let their opponents back into the match almost immediately. A free-kick was conceded 20 yards from goal, which a Craigie midfielder struck, right-footed, into the corner of goalkeeper Stephen Connick’s net.

Within ten minutes, however, the two-goal cushion was restored, and it was the same combination that brought Largs their third goal of the match. With the ball at his feet on the by-line, Mills, again, spotted Dunlop’s run into the box from midfield - this time Dunlop’s right-footed drive was diverted into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

The third goal knocked the stuffing out of Craigie, and Largs played out the remainder of the first-half in relative comfort, with Connick and his back-line of Paul Blair, Stuart Turley, Alistair McGowan and Jamie McKillop being rarely troubled. Dunlop and Andrew McGregor were in full control of the midfield battle, with wide men Grant Cockerill and David Hillier providing ammunition for the front pair of Tyler and Mills.

The opening ten minutes of the second half saw Craigie go in search of a goal to bring them back into the match, but, despite sensing slight nervousness in the Largs ranks, they were unable to put Connick under any serious pressure.

Any lingering doubts about the game’s outcome were put to bed by the most unlikely of sources, with defender Jamie McKillop registering his first goal of the season. Following a corner-kick from the left channel, the defender, who has been in great form of late, latched onto a flick-on and unleashed a stinging drive from the edge of the box, which flew into the top corner of the net.

The game was now being played almost completely in the Craigie half of the park, and Largs had numerous chances to increase their lead. The fifth goal duly arrived with 20 minutes remaining and brought with it the completion of Dunlop’s hat-trick. Latching onto a loose ball in the box, the midfielder’s effort was deflected by a home defender, sending the ball spinning over the helpless ‘keeper and into the net.

Not to be outdone, and not content solely with opening his account for the season, McKillop doubled his tally with five minutes remaining. Having advanced forward again for a corner-kick, McKillop this time sent a sweet strike into the bottom corner of the net with his left boot, a goal that put the stamp on a fine afternoon’s work for Largs.

The 2015 calendar has seen Largs drop only three league points, and the local side have put in some free-flowing displays. In a testing league, they have also shown battling qualities when required, and their promotion to Division Two is richly deserved.

Mathematically, Largs can still win the league, though this would require a major slip-up from Hurlford in their concluding three matches of the season.

Largs play their final match of the campaign this Saturday when they welcome visitors Darvel Victoria to the seaside.

The local side would like to thank MacAulay’s Bar and McMillan Motors for their continued support.

Largs: Connick, Blair, McKillop, McGowan, Turley, Cockerill, McGregor, Dunlop. M, Hillier, Mills, Tyler. Subs: Marshall, Dunlop. G, Fraser, Hill