Troon 1 Largs Thistle 0


High flying Thistle came back down to earth with a bump at Portland Park on Saturday despite creating numerous chances in this McBookie.com Premier clash.
Stuart Davidson's side went into this match in fine form, having amassed 25 goals in four games, and were 8/11 favourites at the bookmakers. 
The Barrfields men threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Troon with three one-on-ones with their keeper in the second half but to no avail. 
There was a measure of disbelief at the end of this encounter that Largs had come away with nothing for their efforts, but the South Ayrshire men scrapped their way to a solitary goal victory.
Recent signing Joe Knowles was installed upfront in place of Scott Adam who had come off at Arbroath Vics with an injury, as Largs started brightly in the sunshine.
A good build-up allowed Paul Harkins to turn his man on the edge of the area and his effort went zipping past the right post in the 2nd minute.
Thistle had another early chance as Creag Little headed wide from a Harkins corner at the near post.
But the game had barely seen a Troon attack in earnest when the home side, who were 2/1 with the bookies, scored on six minutes after a free-kick was awarded.
Skipper Dean Keenan, who has been no stranger to netting long range strikes against Largs over the years, delivered a crisp 30 yard effort which curled into the postage stamp corner. It was an awesome strike.
The goal unsettled Largs and gave Troon the impetus as they enjoyed their best period of the match, and it was from a subsequent corner that they nearly added to their advantage.
Keenan sent a looping header into the danger area, and it was nodded on by Jamie Martin with Thistle midfielder Stuart Faulds clearing off the line.
The powerful Christian Nade, formerly of Hearts, led the line for Troon with a real physical presence but Largs were dangerous on the counter and won a free kick out on the right.
Harkins curled in a dangerous effort which was beat away by Scott Johnstone in the Troon goal and Graham Muir volleyed the rebound over the bar.
The rampaging Ben Black was a constant thorn in Troon's side delivering a long looping effort just wide of the left post before half-time, and then bursting down the left wing in the 2nd half and moving clean through on goal, but keeper Johnstone impressively narrowed the angle to block.
Steven McCredie's rasping free kick from out on the left wing had to be well watched by Largs shotstopper Sean Graham who punched clear at full stretch while under pressure from a Troon forward
The arrival of Mark Millar, a pre-season target of Troon's, and Scott Adam on 56 minutes for Graham Muir and Kevin Struthers, added a new dynamic as Thistle really set about Troon.
Both Adam and Knowles were clean through and had chances but on each occasion were thwarted.
Johnstone made another top stop while some desperate defending also came to Troon's aid respectively. 
A number of Largs corners also sparked some close things but to no avail.
Sub Jack Paterson nearly made it safe for Troon as he turned in a dangerous effort to meet a good cross from the right but Graham smothered the effort at the second attempt.
An almighty goalmouth scramble in the home penalty box but Troon somehow managed to clear their lines, while Jamieson's flying effort from Black's free kick on the right was saved with ease by Johnstone in the Troon goal. 
John Carter came on for Harkins and injected further pace to Thistle in the final minutes.
There were only a few minutes of injury time as the referee's final whistle signalled big celebrations for Troon after their first home win of the season.
It goes to show how hyper competitive the Super Premier league is, with a number of surprise results including Irvine Meadow defeating Kilwinning, and league leaders Hurlford hitting back from three down to win 4-3 at Beith.

Troon: Johnstone, Reilly, Sherrie, Keenan, Strachan, Chatham, Pooler, McCreadie, Nade, Maley, Martin. Subs: Paterson, McKay, Clark, Fulton, McInally.
Largs: Graham, Orr, McMaster, Little, Jamieson, Faulds, Muir, Harkins, Struthers, Knowles, Black. Subs: Adam, Millar, Carter, Cousar, Docherty.

Pics: Ryan Scott Photography