Largs manager Stuart Davidson reacts to cup win over Dalry

Davidson is hoping his men can home in on victory as they gear up for their third match in a row at Barrfields - and is urging the Largs support to turn out in big numbers to help push the players over the finishing line.

Hurlford sit in sixth spot in the PDM Huws Gray West of Scotland Premier Division on 11 points, three places and three points ahead of Largs.

Boss Stuart Davidson says Largs need to match Hurlford's physicality from the off

The two sides go into this Saturday's clash off the back of wins in the second round of the South of Scotland Challenge Cup against Ayrshire rivals - with Largs having beaten Dalry Thistle 3-1 and Ford having eased through with a 2-0 win against managerless Cumnock at Townhead Park.

Reflecting on Thistle's win, the Largs gaffer praised his team's first half display - but admitted he was disappointed at how his players "switched off" in the second half.

"The main things were getting to the next round of the cup, first and foremost, and secondly to try and improve our performance - and in the first half I thought we did that.

"I knew Dalry would come and give it their all and make it hard for us and compete, which they did, but I thought we controlled the first half really well and a lot of play was good.

"We had some really good moves, and we finished some of them off, and we told the players at half-time about keeping up the standard, and kicking on from there, but unfortunately we didn't do that.

"We came out and switched off from a long ball which we didn't deal with defensively - they got to the first ball and the second from the corner, and that goal changed the complexion of everything.

"Dalry have a back five, so we had to be patient and carve out our openings, and in the second half we had four good chances which we didn't take.

"I am really pleased with the goals we got and there are a lot of positives to take."

Ryan McCreath is getting closer to a return and appeared on the bench, while midfielder Lewis Davidson has also returned to training - with both set to be in the squad for this weekend. Midfielder Liam Lapsley is still another few weeks away after he was stretchered off at Pollok.

Striker Scott Adam missed Saturday's win over Dalry due to injury and hopefully will return soon.

Switching his focus to this Saturday's game against Hurlford, Davidson added: "These games are always physical and high tempo, so we need to be ready to match up to that and then we need to start taking our chances. 

"It is good that we now have more options with more players returning from injury."

Dalry manager Chris Wilson said: "We came with a game plan and for the first 15 minutes it worked. We did really well and we nullified where we wanted to nullify - and then we stopped doing it.

Dalry boss Chris Wilson (Image: Newsquest)

"We lost three really poor goals within 20 minutes, which were all down to individual errors, and we got in at half-time, re-grouped, went over the system again, and in the second half we were much better.

"The shape was great, we got an early goal in the second half, and who knows what could have happened if it hadn't been for Joe Wilton's save - but we were under no illusions. We knew it was going to be difficult.

"We have got a lot of young players and they will learn from it, and we did have a couple of early chances.

"We played them pre-season so knew what to expect and I thought we started well, but we seemed to capitulate a bit, before recovering in the second half.

"Largs still had chances in the second half, but so did we, and you don't get many opportunities against a Premier side so you need to take them.

"I am delighted with the players' work-rate but disappointed with the goals that we conceded, so that gives us something to work on.

"On Saturday, we face Kilsyth Athletic, and we need to get back to winning ways.

"We lost at home to Threave last week which was disappointing - it was 0-0 with 20 minutes to go and we got a man sent off with a last man challenge.

"If we don't have the man sent off, do we win the game? Maybe not, but I don't think we lose the game either.

"So we are looking for a positive reaction this weekend."