Largs Thistle 1 Cumbernauld United 0


A first half penalty kick by Will Sewell secured Largs a hard fought victory over Cumbernauld.
With both sides sitting in the lower half of the PDM Buildbase Premier Division, this match was very much a midfield battle with plenty at stake for both sides who are battling to avoid the relegation trapdoor..
On three minutes Jay Agnew Blair turned past two defenders before drilling in an effort which was well blocked by Jamie McGowan.
Thomas Sinclair then stormed down Conor McGoldrick's defensive clearance on the left wing and sent over an angled drive which hit the side netting.
A Cumbernauld corner was punched clear by McGowan but was swung back into the danger area and Sinclair's flick hit the right post before McGoldrick cleared the danger. See clip below.


Largs took the lead on 40 minutes as Simon McIntyre launched the ball down the right wing for Sean McLeod to race on to and beat a defender before pulling the ball back across the face of goal.
Haggerty picked up and rounded a defender to get a clean sight of goal from six yards down but was fouled as he was about to pull the trigger. See clip below of penalty incident.


Will Sewell stepped and confidently swept home the spot kick and suddenly it felt a different game, and Sid McBryde replaced the injured Craig Forbes. See clip below.


Thistle played some fast and frenetic football at the start of the second half with an improved pressing game.
Will Sewell's energetic running was becoming an issue for Cumbernauld as the fleet footed striker turned his man, and sent an arching volley which flashed wide of the left post.
However, Cumbernauld were dangerous on the counter as they had an effort which flashed across the race of goal.
McGoldrick who has made such an impact since coming to Barrfields had to come off after a challenge to be replaced by Brad Gray. 
And McGowan then made a solid catch from Cumbernauld's McCabe as he rampaged down the right wing.
Then on 81 minutes, Cumbernauld's Boyle wrenched down Will Sewell as he raced down the left wing and the referee Gavin Hanvidge showed the red card to the defender. See clip below.

Sewell nearly caught out the keeper during a pass back as Largs looked for a two goal cushion.
The top scorer then smacked in an angled effort on the left hand side which hit the side netting.
More good pressure play from Largs saw Faulds pick up on the edge of the area and jink past a challenge before threading through to Sewell but the keeper raced off his line to catch at the striker's feet.
Largs were looking relatively comfortable until a late break in stoppage time which very nearly yielded an equaliser for the opposition in stoppage time.
Neil's dangerous cross come shot from the right was beaten out by McGowan and Thomson fired in the rebound which went fizzing by the right post. See clip below.


It was a nervy finish for Largs who had to endure some difficult moments in this game but it was to their credit that they battled through to get the all important win to get 2022 off to a terrific start.
LARGS: McGowan, G.Sewell, Ballantyne, McGoldrick, Love, Faulds, Haggerty, Forbes, W.Sewell, MacIntyre, McLeod. Subs: Adam, McBryde, Docherty, Lindsay, Hughes, Gray, Farrell (GK).