Troon 1 Largs Thistle 2
Largs Thistle are well on truly on the right track after Scott Adam's opening goal even got a passing locomotive driver's seal of approval - with toot of the horn!
See the amazing video below
It was a tough match for Largs against a Troon side who were reduced to ten men after Dean Fulton was shown a straight red in the first half - but the home side valiantly continued for the remaining 66 plus minutes without one of their top players.
Both teams were heading into this in good form and it was a lighting quick start with chances for both in the first four minutes.
Ben Black was clean through but was blocked by keeper Jamie McGowan who spread himself on the line.
@Troon_FC come close v @LargsThistleFC on three mins pic.twitter.com/P6RDd6EKK0
— Calum Corral (@CalumCorral) March 24, 2023
Action immediately swung to the other end as Will Sewell slotted home but the offside flag was waved.
Lively start as @LargsThistleFC Will Sewell ruled offside @Troon_FC on four mins pic.twitter.com/zJeA6SmvUV
— Calum Corral (@CalumCorral) March 24, 2023
The opening goal arrived in 14 minutes as a Largs corner was swung into the box at the Portland Street end - and Ryan McCreath turned his man before teeing up Scott Adam who curled an excellent shot into the top left corner.
There was high drama on 24 minutes as Dean Fulton was shown a red card for an apparent elbow offence, below.
David Ramsay for the visitors feinted past a challenge on the edge of the Troon box and struck the left post on 31 minutes.
David Ramsay hits the @Troon_FC post for @LargsThistleFC after 36 mins 0-1 ton Largs pic.twitter.com/ZRQC29kGK3
— Calum Corral (@CalumCorral) March 24, 2023
Troon started pushing towards the interval and netted the equaliser.
Ben Black went on a tremendous run and helped set up a great ball across the face to goal for Sam Jamieson to race in at the left post to net on 41 minutes.
Ten man @Troon_FC equalise on 41 mins v @LargsThistleFC 1-1 through Sam Jamieson pic.twitter.com/STzEwowJGY
— Calum Corral (@CalumCorral) March 24, 2023
Kyle Gilroy then lifted the ball over Largs keeper McGowan's head but Ryan McCreath got back to block and make a vital clearance on 43 minutes before another opportunity was sent blazing across the face of goal on the stroke of half time.
Thistle again edged ahead two minutes after the resumption and it came from Laurie McMaster who hit a 20 yard effort.
It looked to be a straight forward save for Dale Burgess but a surprise bounce caught the keeper off guard and he could only get a hand to it but couldn't keep it out as the ball spun in the evening air and over the line.
Sherrie set up Gilroy but McGowan made the save again for Largs - while Troon hit two good chances over the bar.
Both sides had penalty claims with Adam going down under a challenge from Sherrie but the referee waved play on.
And then a late attack from Troon saw a header from Ben Black which Troon claimed came off Connor McGoldrick's arm but again no award was given.
The final minutes ticked for Largs with a number of subs coming on including Simon McBryde and Scott Lewis arriving onfield, while Adam still heroically held up the ball in the latter stages.
The final whistle was met with big cheers from the away bench and support.
Largs boss Stuart Davidson told the News he was delighted to come away from the game with three points and felt Thistle showed their gritty side to battle for the three points while Troon manager Jim Kirkwood described the red card as 50/50 decision but praised his ten men for pushing Largs all the way in an engrossing encounter under the lights.
LARGS: McGowan, Hughes, McMater, McGoldrick, McCreath, Faulds, McLeod, Davidson, Adam, Sewell, Subs: McBryde, Martin, McGrath, Lewis, Devine, Tennant, Walker (GK).
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