Largs Thistle 0 Rossvale 0

This was two points that got away for the young Thistle team who failed to score for the first time this season on a day of grey skies and swirling wind in this Premiership match at Barrfields Park (writes Drew Cochrane).

We can put down to the tricky conditions that it was a kick and rush game with the ball never on the ground long enough to suit the pace and passing of a quickfire Largs side, who had speed to burn in wide men Will Sewell and Craig Forbes.

I t was the first ever meeting between the sides.

Unfortunately, the ball was in the air like a kite for much of the match and it often by-passed the midfield which had 'old head' Paul Harkins alongside the consistent, composed Stuart Faulds.

Largs had chances to score, especially in the 13th minute, when another speed merchant Ben Eardley zipped down the right and crossed for Scott Adam's header to be saved by the keeper. Eardley had another run and cross which landed on top of the net.

Will Sewell, who twists and turns defenders, started a move which ended in Harkins shooting over in the 23rd minute. Sewell then broke at speed and, after a neat 1-2 with Simon McBryde, fired inches wide of target.

Rossvale, with a far more hardened and experienced side (like all of Largs' opponents) forced a succession of corners which keeper Ross Lundy had to deal with. Teenage centre half Ross Love, on loan from Ayr Utd, showed that he is getting to grips with the rough and tumble of the Juniors with some telling clearances.

Just before half-time Harkins put Adam through on goal but he lobbed over the bar, and, then, Adam crossed well for Forbes whose header bounced off the ground and went over.

In the early part of the second half Will Sewell jinked past defenders and it took a good diving save by Donnelly to turn his low shot for a corner.

Again, the play was fast and furious from one end to the other. Lundy had to punch a Johnstone strike over the bar and then made a good catch from Bradley's header.

In the latter part of the game, Morton loanee Kieron Brophy - another speedster - replaced Harkins with McKenna and George for Adam and McBryde respectively.

Rossvale defender McGrath was red-carded for a last man foul on McKenna who was going clear into the box in the 80th minute.

The keeper saved Sewell's free kick but their ten men held out for a draw in a frenetic few minutes, which included yellow cards for Thistle manager Arnie Davidson and a Rossvale player.

Ben Black was out injured but, like him, tricky, pacey attackers like Sewell, Forbes and Brophy must be fed the ball on the ground to be effective. Lundy, Love, Faulds and the Sewell twins were best for Largs on Saturday.

Despite winning their first clean sheet of the league campaign. Thistle dropped to 11th place in the McBookie.com Premier Division.

Largs Thistle: Lundy, Eardley, G Sewell, Love, McMaster; Faulds, Harkins, McBryde, Forbes, Adam, W Sewell. subs George, McKenna, Brophy, Mitchell, McGowan.

Rossvale: Donnelly, Biggar, Leadbetter, Niven, Bradley, McGrath, Johnstone, Slattery, McNab, Davidson, McGonigle. subs, Trialists, McDowall and Forbes.

Words: Drew Cochrane

Photos: John Keachie.

Next Game: Saturday 21 September, Troon (A), 2pm kick-off.