Darvel 2 Largs Thistle 1


This was a cruel defeat on Thistle who produced a series of dangerous efforts on goal throughout this contest against title chasing Darvel.
Thistle pushed the East Ayrshire side all the way throughout the 90 minutes, and it was a terrific effort from a young Largs side.
While Darvel had a few close things, and enjoyed long periods of possession at times, Thistle looked dynamic going forward, and defended solidly.
Played during intermittent heavy flurries of snow, Largs notched the opener after only four minutes following a long kick-out from keeper Danny Farrell.
The Premier League's top scorer in Will Sewell sped through on the right to loop a header over the head of the Darvel keeper John Ruddy. Remarkably it is Sewell's 30th strike of the season in all competitions. See clip below.


Sewell had another good opening as he raced on to Blair MacIntyre's high ball out of defence but Ruddy was quick off his line to get a touch and divert Sewell wide.
And another breakaway from speedy Sewell had to be stopped by a dangling leg from Darvel's Daryll Megatt who diverted the ball to Ruddy.
And then Thistle's Laurie McMaster cut inside and hit a curling effort which had to be beaten away by the home keeper on 12 minutes.
And skipper Scott Adam launched himself at a header from a fast paced cross which flew over the bar.
It was taking Darvel time to settle but they started to get their fluid passing game in motion with David Galt hitting an angled effort off the sidenetting on 18 minutes.
An inswinging free kick into the Largs box found its way to Ryan Thomson who forced a good scrambled save from Farrell who kept his eye on the ball.
Darvel had Ruddy to thank for making an expert save low to his left to prevent Thistle's second as Stuart Faulds latched on to a good cross. See clip below.


Largs defender Connor McGoldrick prevented Thomson getting a close range effort on goal from another dangerous Darvel inswinging free kick
On 56 minutes Craig Forbes' speed unsettled the Darvel defence as he managed to turn in a 20 yard diagonal drive which flashed wide of the right post.
On 63 minutes Darvel notched the equaliser in the midst of blizzard like conditions as an inswinging corner into the box was caught by Darren Miller who managed to nick an effort home at the near post, and then Ross Caldwell's deflected strike finished up over the bar for the home side. See Darvel equaliser below.

 


George Sewell's curling free kick from the right found its way through a jumble of bodies to his twin brother Will who fastened on to it and hit a low fierce strike which was cleared off the line by a defender with the keeper beaten. See clip below.


George Sewell then half volleyed an effort wide in the penalty box as Largs still enjoyed a good period.
Lewis Morrison's deflected cross on 75 minutes landed in the path of Craig Moore who headed home to put Darvel 2-1 ahead.


Morrison's backward volley was then cleared off the line by McMaster as Darvel tried to get a third to kill off the encounter.
This was another top display from Largs with no reward - and if they can continue this graft and desire, the good results will come that can tilt Largs towards safety in this hugely competitive league.


LARGS: Farrell, Hughes, McMaster, McGoldrick, Love, Faulds, G.Sewell, Forbes, W.Sewell, Adam, MacIntyre. Subs: McBryde, Ballantyne, Gray, McLeod, Docherty, Duff, Grayston (GK).