McBookie Super League Premier Division

LARGS THISTLE 0

MAYBOLE 1

by Calum Corral

LARGS were frozen out of Barrfields by a determined Maybole side who turned the tables on the hosts and grabbed a shock win against the league leaders.

Basement boys Bole belied their lowly league status in blizzard conditions - and few could deny them their victory as Largs struggled to create any meaningful chances.

There was a minute's applause at the start of proceedings in memory of long-term Largs supporter Eddie Miller before play got underway.

Ex-Morton man Steven Lamont made his debut at right-back, as Largs kicked off 2016 with James Marks and Sean Pierce upfront, and both players were industrious in the early stages, but were frequently caught offside in a frustrating first half for the home side.

Largs had an early chance with Gary Phillips down the left threading the ball through to Alan Frizzell who turned his man but his angled effort from 12 yards finished high and wide.

Maybole managed to open the scoring in eight minutes as Aidan Connor managed to gallop clear of defenders and hit an angled strike in off the left post from 14 yards. And Maybole nearly scored again when Largs keeper Ross Lundy was exposed as a wind-assisted lob flew just over.

A kick out by Bole Trialist keeper Ian Nixon, was caught in the swirling snow, and Marks volleyed the ball back towards goal as it flashed wide of the right upright. Nixon, who was on Largs books in recent seasons, was barely tested in the game.

Another chance came in the first half with James Marks adjudged to have fouled the keeper when attempting to bundle an effort home, and Glenn Thomson fired wide.

A free kick from Sean Pierce ricocheted off Graham Muir's legs, deflecting wide of the right post, as Thistle were struggling to get shots on target as conditions worsened.

Stevie Shankland was booked for Maybole for needlessly barging down Creag Little near the touchline, after Little had already made one important diving tackle to deny a Maybole breakaway.

Paterson's piercing runs down the right proved to be a handful for Largs in the dying minutes with Largs midfielder Gary Fleming diving in to divert an effort narrowly wide, and was a near own goal. Marc Cameron then blazed over the bar from great positioning after another Paterson move.

Largs looked at their most dangerous in the second half from Gary Phillips' corners , but Nixon saved everything that came his way, and the Maybole defence held firm and, indeed, could have added to their lead in the swirling snow.

McClure, McMahon and Frizzell came on in the second half, and made some good runs from midfield, but inevitably, it petered out as the final ball was something of a lottery with the snow getting heavier

Credit to Maybole who defended resolutely and refused to give Largs any room as they tried to carve open the rearguard but to no avail, and Bole nearly notched a second in injury-time with a lob just wide of target, with Lundy beaten.

As for Thistle, it was an ignominious way to lose their long unbeaten 18 game league run, and the league leaders need to step up to the mark as other teams have made ground in recent weeks.

Weather conditions could be blamed on Thistle's poor showing is open to question, as it was the same situation, and it was certainly Maybole who adapted to the testing conditions better, with more clearcut chances.

LARGS THISTLE: Lundy; Lamont, Phillips, Gilbride, Little, Fleming, Muir, Thomson, Marks, Pierce, Santos. Subs: McClure, Frizzell, McMahon

MAYBOLE: Nixon; Todd, Whittaker, Frame, Peacock, Cuthbertson, Love, Cameron, Shankland, Reilly, Connor, Subs: McKay, Paterson, Scott.