Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup Semi-Final

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 0

LARGS THISTLE 0 (Largs win 4-2 on penalties)

By Calum Corral

LADESIDE were on the backfoot for most of this contest but nearly sneaked a late victory before this match was settled on penalties.

Largs dominated for long spells, hitting the crossbar in each half, and created a glut of opportunities, keeping their neighbours from the Garnock Valley on the backfoot for long spells.

It was the inventive play of winger Alex McWaters which nearly opened up the Ladeside rearguard in the early minutes as he sunk a curling and dipping free-kick off the crossbar and Carter followed in only to somehow see his header flash over the bar.

It was a sign of things to come as Premier side Kilbirnie looked increasingly uncomfortable against First Division Largs.

Both McWaters and Adams went close for Thistle with further headed opportunities, and then followed a miraculous clearance off the line as the ball was like a pinball with chances falling for McWaters.

In the midst of this melee of chances, Kilbirnie managed a few rare forays up the park with Kurtis Roberts, Gavin Mitchell and Jon Scullion snatching at some half-chances.

The start of the second half saw one of the moments of the match as McWaters flicked the ball down the right to Jamie Campbell who was in a similar position to the goal he scored against Cambuslang on the volley a few weeks ago.

The forward bided his time before deciding to try a shot across the face of goal into the top left corner. Kilbirnie goalie Kieran Hughes produced a stunning save to claw the ball away from the top left hand corner, drawing applause from both sets of supporters.

The chances kept coming thick and fast for Largs with one remarkable scramble as Campbell's turn and shot was blocked on the line, and Graham Muir's response from the edge of the area flashing off the crossbar in 55 minutes.

The breathless drama continued as the chances kept coming for Largs from long distance, close ranges, and crosses continued to pepper the Ladeside goal but no avail as the full-time edged closer.

Impressive winger Ryan McKie was a secret weapon on the bench and he was unleashed in the final stages of this game, and turned and twisted and sent over a dangerous cross which just eluded an overhead volley from McWaters and Carter who went diving in.

Soaking up all the pressure, Kilbirnie refused to buckle and Mitchell was denied in the final seconds after a superb block by Largs keeper Blair Cousar which would have been an unjust fate after Largs put so much into the 90.

Cousar proved himself the hero of the occasion with two brilliant stops to deny O'Byrne and Mitchell to send Largs into their first cup final since 2013.

LARGS THISTLE: Cousar; Orr, McMaster, Little, Jamieson, Fleming, Muir, Campbell, Adam, Carter, McWaters. Subs: McKie, Struthers, Grayston, Ewing,

Kilbirnie: K Hughes; C Hughes, McKinnon, Sweeney, O'Byrne, McLaren, Burbridge, Mitchell, Finlay, Scullion, Roberts. Subs: Roberts, Juskowiak, Bembo, Tuohy, Wilton.