McBookie Super League Premier Division

LARGS THISTLE 0

BEITH 1

BEITH continued on their catch-up task and thoroughly deserved the three league points from this tricky contest at Barrfields against a Largs side whose form had improved in recent weeks.

The match was always going to beat the weather courtesy of the artificial surface and a healthy crowd saw the Beith side open strongly. The visitors moved the ball around quickly and they grabbed the lead after only 2 minutes with Callum Watt applying the finish with a nice turn in the box, from a McGlinchey pass, to make enough space to shoot past Lundy.

Beith were looking confident as they tried to add to the early counter and they continued to press. It was the 11tth minute before Largs got into the Beith half when Matty Bennett's pace allowed him an opening before Paul McMenamin cleared the danger. Sadly Bennett limped out of the game soon after to be replaced by Alex McWaters.

Beith were making plenty of half chances but Walton and Little were managing to hold the Largs defence together enough to keep them in the contest. Paul Frize scorned the clearest chance for Beith when he fired a McGowan cross over the bar.

Pressure on the home side told with bookings for McMaster and McDonald as Beith continued to dictate play but further chances that fell to David McGowan and Darrem Christie failed to trouble ex-Beith signing Ross Lundy and the home defence managed to scramble away a Mark McLaughlin header to end the half.

The contest continued as before after the break with Beith asking all the questions and Largs resolutely defending. Darren Christie had Largs full back Laurie McMaster struggling and the home defence did well to block two efforts from the winger in the box.

Lundy made a good stop to deny David McGowan after fine work by Calum Watt to make the opening before host centre back Craig Little collected a yellow card for a foul on Conor McGlinchey as he burst forward. Lundy did well again to beat away a McGowan header before the Largs defence scrambled away another Beith corner

Midway through the half Largs managed a wee spell of possession and found some space down the right wing but they failed to pose any real threat to the Beith goal.

Beith still couldn't kill the game off and Ross McPherson volleyed over from a fine move instigated by John Sheridan and Lundy saved again from Calum Watt and sub Kenny McLean.

A late equaliser was possible with Beith only holding a slim lead but Largs never really looked up to the task with the Beith defence giving nothing away and over the whole contest Beith keeper Steven Grindlay never had a serious save to make.

Substitutions made no difference to the pattern of the game and Beith saw out the remainder without any problem to secure the win.

Stuart Davidson's Largs now look to have their work cut out to retain their top division status in their remaining games.

Conversely Beith's confidence may be gradually growing with a belief they can genuinely challenge for the title.

Beith had no failures on the day in what was a pretty comfortable win but veteran skipper John Sheridan, Jamie Wilson and Tiny Watt are worth special mention for their contributions.

LARGS THISTLE:: Lundy; Gilbride, McMaster, Walton, Little, McDonald, Tennent, Fleming, Marks, Love, Bennett. Subs: Littler, Thomson, McWaters, McMahon, Graham.

BEITH: Grindlay; McGlinchey, McMenamin, McLaughlin, Sheridan, Wilson, Watt, Frize, McPherson, Christie, McGowan. Subs: McLean, Collins, Burke, Martin, MacDonald.