NINE-man Winton crashed to defeat on Saturday against a Thistle side who picked up their first points of the season.

The pressure was on Thistle on Saturday to get theArdagh Glass League Cup Section One LARGS THISTLE 4 ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 0ir first points on the board in the Ardagh Cup, but it was the District League champions who surprisingly wilted in the summer sunshine.

Rovers had two players sent off, albeit the first red card appeared harsh, as Largs took complete control of this game, and could have won by many more, Indeed, the Ardagh Cup is throwing up a great many surprises, and while teams use it to test out formations and players, there is no doubting it has had a completely surreal edge this year.

Kilwinning, who were thumping victors over Largs on Wednesday evening, were on the end of a 6-0 thrashing to Kilbirnie, as Largs knocked in the goals on Saturday.

Home player/boss Bryan Slavin returned to the centre of defence, to assist Creag Little and Alan Gilbride, and his experience helped Largs at the back.

It was an early setback for the visitors as visising Ben Carson of Winton was ordered off for a challenge on Kevin Struthers which set the tone for the rest of the game. Winton were furious at the dismissal which they thought was unfair in the extreme.

Rovers opened the game well and had put some early pressure on Largs, but Thistle responded with a well taken goal on the half hour mark as magic from Matthew Santos allowed Struthers to tee up on the on-rushing Gary Fleming on the right. He blasted the ball high into the near side of the net.

A clever flick on allowed Struthers to double Thistle’s lead on 41 minutes as the Largs skipper hooked the ball over the head of outrushing Winton keeper Dylan Caddis.

The second half was a dominant showing from Largs, aided and abetted by another red card for Rovers as John Johnston was given his second yellow card after showing dissent.

Creag Little sent a header just wide from a corner kick, and then Largs keeper Ross Lundy did well to come out and block Ryan Caddis’s sweeping effort, having just waltzed round three Largs defenders.

A Glenn Thomson free kick curled towards the top right corner of the net bu Caddis made a competent save to prevent the Thistle midfielder.

However, Thomson was not to be denied as he raced through to goal and walloped home Graham Muir’s cross from the left after another Largs attack left Winton chasing shadows.

Fleming brought out the best in Caddis who made a superb double block, while the chances were coming thick and fast for Largs.

And Thistle were unable to significantly boost their goal difference other than sub James Marks who notched a superb solo goal as he ran with the ball, cut across from the left wing and despatched a blazing effort into the net from 20 yards on 80 minutes.

There were more chances that went a-begging, and although a four goal lead was more than comfortable, with Kilbirnie hitting a sizzling six, and Beith nabbing nine, goal difference may yet play a crucial part in the final outcome of this group.

LARGS THISTLE: Lundy; Fleming, Santos, Slavin, Little, Gilbride, Muir, Thomson, Struthers, Pierce, McDonald. Subs: Mathews, McMahon, Marks, Frizzel, Murray.

ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS: D Caddis; Johnston, Richardson, Holden, Cochrane, Carson, Colligan, Connell, Bradford, R Caddis, Turner. Subs: Willet, McCrea, Cook, Wardrope, Browning.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.