Largs Thistle 4, Hurlford United 1

This was a scintillating turnaround from Thistle who even when reduced to ten looked very much the dominant side.

Thistle put their one man disadvantage behind them to dominate Hurlford and could have won by more with a fast and frenetic display which left the opposition chasing shadows.

It was Thistle's first competitive game since April 1 but they had little need to blow away any cobwebs as they started off the better side.

Stuart Davidson's men took the game to the visitors in the opening minute, with Will Sewell firing a dangerous effort across the face of goal, which served as an early warning sign, and Stuart Faulds drilled a 20-yard effort over the bar not long after.

However it was the visitors who took the lead on 15 minutes, very much against the run of play, after a high ball was launched into the box as Miller broke free to head over Jamie McGowan and into the net despite offside claims from the irate Thistle dugout.

It seemed like a goal out of nothing, but Hurlford had caught Largs cold - and Thistle keeper Jamie McGowan was then called upon to make a trio of top stops after that as the East Ayrshire side enjoyed their best period of the match.

The clever and confident running of Jamie Martin was causing Hurlford problems, and he tried his luck with a speculative 30 yard effort from the left wing, which nearly curled into the top left corner of the net - but just looped over the crossbar, much to the goalkeeper's relief.

 

And on 39 minutes Thistle won a penalty after David Ramsay was pulled down as he was about to pull the trigger after a fleet-footed Largs move caught Hurlford chasing shadows. Will Sewell blasted home the spot kick.

Then Faulds put Largs ahead before the interval with the sweetest of finishes as he raced into the box and picked his spot from a cute angle.

However there was still more drama to come in stoppage time in the first half as Simon McBryde was given his marching orders for a tackle near the dug outs but Largs management insisted he won the ball. See ciip below.

The numerical disavantage did not dampen Thistle's spirits as they came out after the break raring to go. Will Sewell's dangerous running down the right resulted in a drilled cross which was expertly slotted home by Ramsay on 53 minutes.

And on 58 minutes Martin added a marvellous fourth with a diagonal half volley into the bottom left corner of the net to put Thistle further ahead.

Largs had chances to extend their lead with Sewell forcing the keeper into a solid stop, pinball wizard in the box as the ball pinged narrowly wide and a superb break by Ramsay who was denied the double by the crossbar.

Thistle brought on Scott Adam, Craig Forbes and David McGrath as they confidently saw out the game amid glorious sunshine.

Manager Stuart Davidson declared himself delighted with the quality display at the end of the game and urged his side to produce similar quality when they come face to face with old foes Auchinleck Talbot at home on Tuesday evening. 

LARGS: McGowan, McLeod,Devine, Hughes, McCreath, Faulds, Martin, McBryde, Sewell, Ramsay, Davidson. Subs: Adam, McMaster, McGrath, Tennant, Nimmo, Forbes, Walker (GK).