In-form Largs Thistle face three matches in the space of eight days to round off the season as they look for their highest Premier League spot in years.
Thistle boss Stuart Davidson is hoping for high intensity from his players as they look to finish with a flourish after securing safety following impressive wins over Hurlford and Auchinleck Talbot.
Largs face relegation-threatened Kilwinning Rangers at Buffs Park this Saturday, May 6, before heading to Rob Roy next Wednesday, and then round off the season at home to Pollok on May 13.
@LargsThistleFC 1-0 @atfc1909 latest - 30 mins pic.twitter.com/iI0tJQaTUz
— Calum Corral (@CalumCorral) April 25, 2023
Davidson is keen to lay down a marker after those two impressive wins at Barrfields in recent months - but says his players won't be taking the game against the struggling Buffs for granted.
"Kilwinning are definitely not finished," he said. "They still have games to play and want to take their chances - and all it takes sometimes is one result that can turn it.
"I know they will be up for it so we need to bring our best game.
"People may look at our position and think we don't have much to play for, but the players and myself want to finish the season as high up the table as possible and show the rewards for the hard work we've put in."
Largs had their third free Saturday in the past four but are revving to go for the Buffs challenge.
Davidson admitted: "It is not ideal when you are winning to have another free Saturday. You want to be playing all the time, but we've had another break for almost two weeks.
"The boys had some rest over the weekend before coming back to training."
Thistle's midweek win over Talbot was their first against the Beechwood Park side in 12 years - but Davidson says he wasn't interested in settling old scores, just on getting points on the board.
"It was all about getting the three points and continuing to improve our performances and show we can compete with the best," he said.
"I know there will be people looking at it and say Talbot rested some players with their cup final on Friday but they are all good players and we played our game and matched them and in the end we really defended well to see it out.
"When you play against teams like Talbot the first 20 minutes are so important.
"It was a battle and you have to make sure you don't lose it or give them an advantage.
"I thought we came through that start well and at last we got our foot on the ball and that is how we got the goal
"I thought it was a great goal. Cory Hughes had a clearance which went into Lewis, and he had made a simple pass to David McGrath, and simple pass out to wee Jamie, and he made a good run.
"We had the overlap and a good ball into the box - Will missed it, but McGrath put it in.
"There were so many headers in that first twenty minutes but you have to get yourself into the game and we did that.
"If you are 1-0 up against Auchinleck they are always going to come back at you, and it is whether you can hold your own or you crumble.
"I thought the boys were positive and we defended it very well, and Jamie McGowan made a very good save.
"We had some good chances after that - Lewis Davidson will be annoyed at himself pulling it wide.
"Whenever there was a mistake, the rest of the guys were there to make up for it, and there was no-nonsense defending. You could see the team were desperate for a clean sheet.
"We realised towards the end it was going to be a 1-0. No wonder David Ramsay got cramp given the shift he put in - not only was he wanting to get forward and cause them problems but he was also getting back to help out."
One player who has not featured at the club now for month is striker Scott Lewis who has gone AWOL.
Davidson said: "We haven't seen Scott since the Darvel game - he wasn't too happy with a couple of decisions I made regarding team selection, and I have not seen him since the Darvel game, when he didn't start.
"All I am concerned about are results, and I think the team selection has very much shown that in the results we have achieved."
Largs are currently in sixth position in the Premier Division on 41 points, and could finish on 50 points if they win their remaining games.
* The Largs Thistle annual sponsored cycle ride is back - and you have an opportunity to join in with players and management from the team.
The traditional ride around Cumbrae was launched in 2010 and has been an important source of funds for the club ever since.
Thistle manager Stuart Davidson has been a regular participant over the years, while participants will have the chance to meet and chat with players, club officials and other supporters.
Fans are encouraged to dress up in Thistle's gold and black colours on the day, and can hire bikes from club sponsor Mapes of Millport.
The Thistle Tour de Cumbrae returns on Sunday, May 7, starting from Millport Garrison at 11am.
Visit largsthistle.info/fundraising for your online sponsorship form.
A club spokesperson said: "Thank you to Mapes of Millport and Braw and Dapper, opening on Boyd Street soon, for supporting the day."
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