PDM Buildbase West of Scotland Football League Premier Division

Kilwinning Rangers 1 Largs Thistle 2


A stunning strike saw Largs leapfrog Kilwinning Rangers in the West of Scotland Premier League to record a famous win.
Recent signing Jack Haggerty, who was playing in New Zealand last year, scored a goal that was out of this world as his laser beam shot nearly burst the back of the net such was its precision and ferocity.
Thistle fully merited this victory after a solid first half performance - and even though Buffs were down to ten men they proved difficult opposition in the second half.
For arguably one of the stiffest challenges of the season so far, Largs opened with Keir Milliken upfront partnering skipper Scott Adam for the first time this season. 
Kilwinning sprung a surprise by not fielding ex-Largs winger Alex McWatters who was instead listed on the bench.
Thistle made an encouraging start with Ben Black causing immediate problems with some mazy runs.
In the early stages, the Buffs were on the backfoot as Thistle were spraying passes about and looked determine to force the issue.
The first shot of note came from Kilwinning's McColm on eight minutes as he let fly with a 25 yard piledriver to test the returning Jamie McGowan in the Thistle goal.
Largs were winning some corners and free kicks and on 13 minutes were awarded a penalty kick which was despatched with aplomb by Scott Adam.
More trickery from Black on the left helped set up Adam who headed just over the bar on 20 minutes as Largs were looking the likelier, to add to their lead.


It was to be a scrappy game with a plethora of yellow cards while Largs had the ball in the back of the net but the offside flag was raised.
Kilwinning claimed handball for a penalty kick near the half hour mark as McColm's shot was blocked by Graham Muir in the penalty box but the referee waved away all protests/
But the caution count continued with McColm given his marching orders for his second yellow in a hammer blow for Buffs, while Kilwinning boss Chris Strain even found his way into the referee's notebook for his protests.
With forward Carlo Monti orchestrating things, the Buffs won a free kick around 25 yards out as half-time approached. 
The ex Pollok sharp shooter swerved a free kick over the wall and it crept into the bottom left corner of the net as McGowan got down to it but couldn't get enough purchase on it to turn it away. 

It was hard luck on Largs who had been by far the better side in the opening 45 but Buffs had somehow found a way to draw level.
Milliken nodded an effort home early in the second half after another good Largs move but again the offside flag was raised, and Buffs keeper Barclay had to make a smart save from a dangerous Milliken cross
McGowan had to make the first of a number of important second half saves when he made a solid catch to save Stewart's shot from the edge of the area.
At the other end the Kilwinning goal led a charmed life after a high ball into the box with Muir getting a header in which was touched on to the crossbar and dramatically cleared.
Haggerty replaced the hard working Craig Forbes while McBryde replaced Muir as the fresh legs resulted in Kilwinning being put under pressure.
Largs then scored an absolute topper as Haggerty turned his man and launched a rocket of a strike from fully 30 yards out which bulleted into the top right corner of the net - it was a goal worthy of winning any match - and was a very classy strike. 
But Buffs came back strongly with ex-Largs forward McWaters nearly putting a spanner in the proverbial works with his own stunning shot from the edge of the area which was heroically turned over the bar by Largs keeper McGowan.
That was the match pretty much there and then and Largs held out to gain all three points from Kilwinning for the first time since their move from Abbey Park.
Thistle manager Stuart Davidson will be delighted as his side really had to come through a gruelling encounter and despite the ten men still made it as difficult as possible. Boht Adam and Milliken looked a real handful for the Buffs defence to deal with.
But all the credit goes to Thistle for seeing this one over the finishing line -and with an absolute stunning goal from recent signing Haggerty to boot - it was a result will send some shockwaves around the West of Scotland Football League - and is further evidence that Largs are a team to be reckoned with this season.
LARGS: McGowan, McLeod, McMaster, Hughes, Sewell, Faulds, Forbes, Muir, Adam, Milliken, Ben Black Subs: Haggerty, McBryde, Macintyre, Farrell, Loudon, Sewell, Rutherford
Pictures: Thistle TV