LARGS Thistle wing wizard Jamie Martin says he hopes to continue banging in the goals after stepping up his claim for a regular starting slot with three goals in three games.

Martin, who signed from Irvine Meadow last season, started his scoring run with a stunning free kick against his old club on February 17,

He followed that up with another long range effort in the 3-2 win away to league leaders Clydebank, then found the net a week later at St Cadoc's.

Martin also played in the 1-1 draw at Cumnock and came off the bench in the 4-2 win over Gartcairn on Saturday.

The fleet-footed forward said: "It felt brilliant to get back in the side. I spoke to Arnie [manager Stuart Davidson] at the turn of the year, and he told me I was not far away from featuring in the side and to keep working hard to get back in the team.

"We hit a rich vein of form with victories over Glenafton, Irvine Meadow, and Clydebank.

"I have scored a few goals from outside the box, and I felt I needed to be hitting more shots and have more confidence in taking my chances.

 "It came off during a real purple patch for me and I am keen to add more goals to my game."

Saturday's win over Gartcairn extended Thistle's impressive recent run to one defeat in seven and saw Davidson's men climb to ninth place in the league table - against a team who had caused Largs plenty of problems in their previous two meetings this season.

Coming off the bench on Saturday, Martin said: "It was a brilliant result for us. Arnie had decided to freshen things up a bit, so I missed out on a starting place and was a bit disappointed, but it worked out well in the end.

"Darryl Duffy was telling me that his last game was away to Arthurlie, and that was our first game of 2024, so it was a wee while ago now, and he scored two good goals - his second was a real screamer on the half turn and on the volley into the top corner."

Martin's late goal earned Thistle a draw when the sides met in the first game of the season way back at the end of July, before Largs returned to Airdrie to win 3-2 in the Scottish Junior Cup in November.

Martin hopes for more big performances from the side as they aim to keep on climbing the table in the closing stages of the campaign.

"Getting the win over league leaders Clydebank was really sweet," he said, "and it was a great feeling when my curling shot hit the back of the net.

"It was disappointing not to get the victory against St Cadoc's after being two goals up, and then we got a good point at Cumnock."

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Martin admitted that it was bittersweet to score the winning goal against Meadow last month but felt he had a point to prove.

He said: "To be forced out the door by their former manager was disappointing, and I wanted to show what they were missing.

"When the free kick went flying in I was delighted. It was a hard game against Meadow. I think they are picking up - they have a totally different side from the one that started this season and will fight all the way to avoid the drop."

For the first time in recent seasons, Largs look like they are in a settled position, with no fears of relegation and no prospect of winning the title.

But Martin says he knows the club's management team don't want the players to rest on their laurels - and believes that improving on their sixth place finish in 2022-23 is well within their capabilities.

"I can see us continuing to climb the league," he said. "Fourth place is up for grabs and I don't see why we can't aim for that if we knuckle down, as we have shown with some of our results that we are more than capable."

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Martin says getting the winning feeling back at Barrfields can help push Largs on as they aim for maximum points against at home to Rob Roy this Saturday and to turn their home ground into something of a fortress.

"It is always good to see all the fans cheering you at the end of a home game as you head into the dressing rooms," he said, "and we want to continue that feel good factor.

"Hopefully I can get a game. This is definitely one of the strongest teams I have ever played with, so you have to keep working hard to hold down your place, and I hope to keep banging in the goals."

*  March’s Largs Thistle Lottery winner of £265 is Matt Johnston. Well done, Matt! Join today. Visit https://largsthistle.info/lottery/.

* The 200 Club draw winner for march is Thom Williamson who scoops £1,000.

* Largs Thistle AFC recorded a 3-2 win over Bellfield AFC in the Budget Blinds Amateurs First Division at Inverclyde Sports Centre, with Fraser Russell, Glenn McTaggart, and David Mills on target and Andrew Monk chosen as the man of the match.