Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 0, Largs Thistle 3
WILL SEWELL netted a brace as Largs Thistle finished their season on a winning note - equalling their highest-ever Premier Division finish in the process.
Thistle headed to Cumbernauld on a glorious sunny afternoon and Stuart Davidson's team certainly shone against a Rob Roy side who have traditionally made it tricky for Largs in previous seasons.
Rob Roy's relegation from the top tier had been confirmed the previous night after Glenafton's win over Cumnock, meaning there was little more than pride and league position to play for - but Largs were in no mood for a picnic in the park against the South Challenge Cup finalists, and Davidson's men chalked up an eighth win in their last nine matches with more of the fast and creative play which has been their hallmark throughout 2024.
Sewell managed to break through in only the second minute after a quick assist by David Ramsay, with the front man forcing the Rob Roy keeper into a parry.
The teams paused for a water break midway through the half - and just moments after the restart Ramsay put Thistle in front, flicking home after a fleet-footed move down the left hand side and gaining some measure of justice for the injury he'd sustained two years on from a controversial incident against the same opponents at Barrfields.
And danger man Sewell was the right man in the right spot to swoop on a high ball from Lewi Davidson, heading home in style to put Largs into a comfortable two goal lead on 39 minutes.
Matters went from bad to worse for relegated Rob Roy three minutes before the break when Jamie Taggart was given his marching orders for a foul.
And three minutes into the second half Thistle extended their lead in some style.
Saving the best till last, Sewell added to his fine recent scoring streak, sending a laser beam of a shot into the bottom corner of the net from distance to take his personal tally for the season to 25 goals.
Ramsay nearly made it four moments later but fired over from an acute angle.
Davidson introduced Cole Ojungu, Darryl Duffy and Jamie Martin in place of Cory Hughes and goalscorers Sewell and Ramsay for the final half-hour, before Laurie McMaster and John Tennent replaced Blair Devine and Sean McLeod.
Joe McKay broke away for Rob Roy but hit his acute angled effort wide on 63 minutes, while David McGrath flashed a shot just over the bar as Largs looked to continue their momentum.
Stuart Faulds forced Rob Roy into a good save on 83 minutes, and from the resulting corner, John Cummings' effort was parried away.
There was no further scoring, but on the final whistle Largs could be justly pleased not just with their performance over the 90 minutes but with the superb finish to the campaign.
To finish above the likes of Darvel and Pollok, with far bigger budgets, is testament to the work ethic, skill and confidence which has filtered through the team from the management of Stuart Davidson, Martin Crawford and Andy Scott.
LARGS: Wilton, Cumming, Devine, McCreath, Hughes, Faulds, McLeod, Davidson, Sewell, McGrath, Ramsay. Subs: Tennent, Ojungu, Duffy, McMaster, Martin, Lapsley, Johnston.
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