TROON 0 LARGS THISTLE 4

This was a sparkling performance in warm sunshine at Portland Park as the young Thistle looked like winners from the first kick (reports Drew Cochrane).

A Scott Adam double and second half counters from Stuart Faulds and Will Sewell had Troon toiling against the quickfire Largs outfit who could have had more goals.

Speed on both wings from Ben Black and Morton loanee Kieron Brophy stretched the home defence and in 5 minutes Black lobbed over the bar.

At the other end the reliable Ross Lundy made a super diving save to deny Troon and, indeed, during a spell in the second half the keeper made a series of great stops to make sure the home side didn't get back. It was his second shut-out in a row.

However, the best attacking play was from Thistle with a Brophy header saved under the bar, and once again Black lobbed over when he could have scored.

Black's direct play did produce the opening goal in the 22nd minute when he was brought down in the box by Keenan. Adam lashed the spotkick home, low and hard.

Then Brophy and Adam worked a fine 1-2 with Troon keeper Johnstone making a great save from Adam.

Playmaker Stuart Faulds - a class act - was unlucky with a move and shot against the bar but he then produced one of his piercing passes into the path of Adam who slotted home the second goal before half-time.

It should have been all over in the opening minute of the restart when Black buzzed into the box and laid the ball on for Paul Harkins who somehow put it over the bar from six yards.

Troon had their best spell when McGregor headed against the woodwork and Lundy deflected ex-Hearts star Ryan Stevenson's shot for a corner.

Faulds was dictating the play in midfield and he almost scored with a freekick inches wide as Troon defenders incurred bookings for rough tackles.

Faulds deservedly got his goal in the 68th minute when he went on a mazy run into the box and took a clever 1-2 with Harkins before rounding the keeper and two defenders to find the net.

For the final period Will Sewell and Jamie McKenna replaced Black and Adam and Sewell's speed and trickery saw him combine with Harkins before placing the ball beyond the keeper.

There wasn't a failure in the team whose fitness and pace worry all opponents. However, Faulds has taken on the conductor's baton from former playmaker Mark Millar this season, and his mates are making some sweet music.

Troon: Johnstone, Paterson, Gilmour, Strachan, McGregor, Keenan, McCloy, Chatham, Stevenson, Montgomerie, Pooler. subs Henderson, McCreadie, Gemmell, Sherrie, Fraser.

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

Pictures: Charlie Gilmour

Next Game: Saturday 28 September, Macron Scottish Cup 2nd round, Largs Thistle Vs Luncarty. 2.30pm kick-off at Barrfields Park.