Largs Thistle in tournament win in charity challenge match

Largs kicked off their pre-season with a five star victory over Maryhill as Thistle's trio of new strikers all netted in the first half.
The tournament was held at Keanie Park in memory of John Grant who was a Paisley businessman who generously sponsored both Johnstone Burgh and Glenvale who contested the other semi final. The weekend tournament was a fundraiser for CAMHS mental health charity.
A minute's silence was respectfully observed before the 10.45am kick-off on Saturday morning.
And the early start suited Maryhill better as they stunned Premiership Largs by scoring after only 58 seconds of play after a fine finish following a dangerous corner.

It was a swift response from Thistle responded with a well taken equaliser on nine minutes after a quick counter attack and a cross from the left which was converted by Alan Frizzell.
Scott Lewis nearly added a quick second goal for Thistle but sent his powerful header marginally wide.
However, Lewis quickly made amends as he finished off a good team move with aplomb by clinically firing the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards to move Largs ahead on 29 minutes.
Goal number three for Largs came from Liam Coogans who struck home on 33 minutes.

All three new strikers had found the back of the net within a blistering opening spell.
It was another fast moving team build-up which led to goal number four on 53 minutes as Simon McBryde's controlled a bouncing ball after a back heel volley and the ball was ushered out to the left wing where Sean McLeod curled another high ball into the box and it was guided home following an accurate header at the far post from midfielder David McGrath.

But Maryhill were not finished and scored another following a corner. The ball was partially cleared and a shot from the edge of the area was parried by the Largs keeper and the rebound was converted from close range on 58 minutes.
Largs rounded off the scoring with tall defender Connor McGoldrick rising above the Maryhill defence to power home a header from a corner on 75 minutes.
There were a raft of substitutions for both sides as there were more chances in a game which was a thoroughly entertaining start to Thistle's pre-season.
The other semi-final saw hosts Johnstone Burgh lose on penalties after another high scoring encounter with Glenvale which finished 5-5 after 90 minutes so fans were certainly not shortchanged after a day of football which produced a total of 17 goals - and a shoot-out.
LARGS: Trialist, Hughes, McLeod, McGoldrick, McCreath, McGrath, Sewell, McBryde, Lewis, Coogans, Frizzell, Subs: Trialists
Final
Final Largs Thistle 5 Glenvale 1
Largs Thistle bounced back in style after conceding an early goal to Glenvale in the John Grant Tournament Final to take home the trophy in the inaugural charity fundraiser in memory of John Grant.
Glenvale took the lead after unfortunate Largs defender McCreath attempted to clear his lines but accidentally put the ball into the back of his own net after a freak own goal in the opening minutes.
It had been a sluggish start from Thistle as fourth division side Glenvale had the majority of possession in the opening 15 minutes with Thistle attacks fizzling out but the longer this game went on the more Largs got into their groove and once they 
And to McCreath's credit he determinedly pushed his way forward leading the Thistle charge for an equaliser - and notched the leveller with a diagonal effort from outside the box on 26 minutes.

Suddenly Largs looked re-energised and could score with every attack going forward as they went on to dominate this match.
Scott Lewis forced a good save from the Vale keeper as he blazed down the right hand side to win a corner. The subsequent corner was played short and then a curling delivery into the box followed with Lewis smashing home a high volley from 12 yards into the far right corner of the net.

Winger Jack Haggerty was chopped down after jinking his way into the box but his subsequent spot-kick was saved and repelled by the Vale keeper.
Goal number three arrived as McGoldrick headed home from a corner kick on 33 minutes.

And Thistle made it four with a stunning strike from Stuart Faulds from outside the box which flew into the postage stamp corner on 41 minutes to give Largs a comfortable cushion at half-time.

Largs weren't finished in terms of the goalscoring as Coogans supplied Lewis who showed nimble feet to finish into the bottom left hand corner from 12 yards.

Haggerty came close to scoring as he again showed a clean pair of heels to defenders but his shot was blocked and saved by the keeper.
Again a raft of substitutions were made by both sides as a Largs trialist was clean through and curled the ball past the right post. 
After a sluggish start, Thistle quickly moved up the gears midway through the first half and sprayed the ball well, scoring some cracking goals.
Ten goals in two days and a trophy in the cabinet was certainly a very satisfactory way to kick off the season for Largs who, just with a few training sessions under their belt, looked lively with some very good passages of play with plenty of promise for the year ahead.
LARGS - Trialist, Hughes, McLeod, McGoldrick, McCreath, Faulds, Sewell, McGrath, Lewis, Coogans, Haggerty. Subs: Trialists.
Photos - Ryan Scott Photography

Stuart Faulds captain of Largs Thistle being presented the John Grant Memorial Trophy by Anne Grant widow and Director of JW Grant Builder Merchants

And speaking about the recent John Grant Tournament victory which saw Largs lift silverware after overcoming Maryhill and Glenvale, Davidson said: "Lifting a cup is always good and it was great to see all the happy faces.
"Personally for myself, John Grant was my old boss and his family and my family are very close. I have known their family since I was a teenager and we went on caravan holidays together. I worked for him, as did my dad, so it was really nice to be involved in the tournament and made it extra special to get the victory."

Thistle manager Stuart Davidson with John Grant's son, James.