Comeback kings Largs Thistle will come up against two familiar faces when a rejuvenated Irvine Meadow side pitch up at Barrfield on Saturday.

Thistle came from two goals down to win 3-2 away to Glenafton at the weekend - but Saturday sees them face up to a Medda team fresh from their first win under new manager Ben Carson.

Carson has significantly reshaped his squad over recent weeks - and his efforts paid off when Euan Baird's double sank Pollok at Meadow Park, ending a winless league run for the top flight's bottom team stretching all the way back to September.

Meadow's squad for their trip up the coast is expected to feature two former Largs players, Simon McBryde and George Sewell, who both featured in the 2-1 victory over the Newlandsfield side at the weekend.

 

Carson's side remain stuck at the foot of the table despite that result - though they're now separated from Arthurlie only by goal difference, with Glenafton just a point further ahead.

But Largs are very much in the hunt for full points as they look to move further away from the relegation dogfight by picking up back-to-back wins - something Thistle haven't managed in the Premier Division all season.

And assistant manager Andy Scott says Largs will have to put in another strong display as they chase their first home win of 2024.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Thrilled: Andy ScottThrilled: Andy Scott (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "That win over Pollok was a good result for Meadow. I have seen their video highlights and to be fair to them they have been playing well and just losing out, including a late penalty against Cumnock which cost them.

"I am expecting the game to be a lot like against Glenafton. We need to go and win as many games as we can.

"We are going to be playing a lot of teams fighting to stay in this league or looking to win the title so every game between now and the end of the season is going to be massive.

"We had a brilliant following at Glenafton, and the players and the management appreciate all the support we get, so we really want to put on a good display at Barrfields Park to send the fans home happy.

"We need to get a bit of momentum, and back to back wins give you that, and makes you feel more confident going into games, so we are very much aiming for that."

Reflecting on Saturday's win, Scott said: "We didn't panic even when we went down 2-0 and the boys went back about their business and halved the deficit immediately.

"It was really important to get that goal back so quickly, and we got it to 2-2.

"As soon as they went down to ten men we were just trying to keep the park as big as we could, and use the width, and we got another penalty near the end.

"Will slotted it away, and it took a bit of bravery from Will as he missed his last penalty at Benburb, so it was good to see him step up and score.

"I thought the boys' work-rate was phenomenal. At 2-0 down it would have been easy to wilt but we never and we stood up to it and got straight back into the game and you can't fault the boys effort."

* Watch an interview with Largs Thistle wingback Laurie McMaster after the Glenafton win on the Largs and Millport News Facebook and Twitter pages.

* The winners of the 200 Club for December was Drummond Bone who won £500 in December, and Jim Lamont who won £250 in January.

* Largs Thistle Amateurs' match had to be abandoned on Saturday at Inverclyde Sports Centre.

A spokesperson said: "Our home tie against Bellfield was unfortunately abandoned with Largs leading 2-1 due to a leg injury sustained by the opposition keeper.

"All at Largs Thistle AFC hope for a speedy recovery."