Largs Thistle vs Buchanhaven Hearts

Recap

by Calum Corral – Senior reporter at the Largs & Millport News

THE sun was shining high in the sky as Largs blazed their way to the Scottish Cup final with a scintillating display to overcome the threat of Buchanhaven Hearts.

Rarely have Largs dominated a game as much as this one, with Thistle dazzling the opposition with a barrage of headers, shots, and corners, but somehow despite all this pressure, Buchanhaven had managed to limit Thistle to two early goals, and refused to wilt.

Buchanhaven Hearts, who were very much the surprise package of this tournament, and were a penalty kick away from going two up on Largs in the first leg, managed to half the deficit in a rare second half attack.

But Largs were not to be denied and carried on with some fizzing attacks and brilliant moves as they finished the cup tie well on top.

With the bunting up around Brisbane Road, and a huge crowd in the ground, spectacular yellow fireworks lit up the afternoon sky as Largs and District Pipe Band provided the musical accompaniment as there was a real sense of community atmosphere at kick-off.

Thistle had some early chances and were forcing Buchanhaven into making mistakes from the first whistle, bursting into the lead on 11 minutes as David McGrath was quickest to react to a rebound to fire the ball into the roof of the net, after an excellent move culminated in a David Ramsay shot on goal.

Largs pummelled the Buchanaven goal with Will Sewell striking the post amid a series of corners, and Davidson made it 2-0 on 20 minutes with a header from a fast paced cross from Liam McVey to give Thistle a valuable cushion.

The dominance continued with Cory Hughes next hitting the post, with Largs keeper George O’Connor not getting his first touch of the ball until 30 minutes in.

Daivd Ramsay and McGrath both had opportunities too, but there was the sad sight of Ramsay, who has missed a good chunk of this year due to injury, having to be helped off the field at half-time, to be replaced by Travis Stracey.

The second half was underway for only four minutes when Will Sewell spotted the opposing keeper off the line and chipped from 40 yards.

Time briefly stood still as the ball dropped from the sky only to thud off the crossbar.

Stracey had a few good openings as he headed over the bar while Sewell also blazed past the right post, then hit a free kick which deflected and flashed wide of the left post with the Buckhaven keeper beaten.

The extraordinary pressure from Largs seemed relentless but the Peterhead outfit threw a spanner in the works as they managed to half the deficit when Cameron Brown forces the ball home on 82 minutes at the left post.

There was a determined cheer and ‘come on’ shouts from the Buchanhaven Hearts players and management as the Thistle crowd was stunned.

However, Largs did not let it break their momentum and kept up the pressure at the other end.

There were more amazing opportunities as with the keeper producing several fine saves from Darren Batty in the Buchanhaven Hearts goal. Largs looked like they were going to win the game in style when Blair Devine’s 1-2 resulted in the silky winger curving an effort with the outside of this right foot around the keeper, but unfortunately it just went around the post.

As stoppage time beckoned, the ball was then hooked off the line by a Buchanhaven defender after Stracey’s cushioned header.

The full-time whistle went to delirious cheers from players, management and the crowd as Largs partied in style.