Largs: Thistle aim to be on frontfoot for Benburb challenge

The Barrfields side stay in 11th spot after Saturday's 3-1 reversal to big spenders Pollok - with Davidson saying he felt Largs just lacked a ruthless streak in front of goal, despite having plenty of the play.

Benburb, sitting in fifth spot, are still smarting from a 3-0 home defeat to Darvel at the weekend, and will be looking to make amends in this Saturday's clash at New Tinto Park.

Thistle can look for inspiration to the last game between the sides three months ago when David Ramsay's late goal was enough to give Largs all three points.

Reflecting on Saturday's defeat, Davidson said: "To a point I was really pleased with how the boys played against Pollok and went about their business.

"I thought they dominated parts of the game, but the bottom line is that's what happens if you don't take your chances.

Thistlle boss demands more from players after 'missed opportunity' versus Pollok (Image: Newsquest)

"Apart from their goals, Pollok didn't create too many opportunities, and we didn't take ours.

"The third goal kind of floored the boys. They put so much effort into the game. I don't think there was much between us and Pollok on the day.

"To me it was a fortunate opening goal for Pollok - the boy has his foot at head height when he controls it, when Macca (Ryan McCreath) goes in for the header when he tries to controls it.

"It probably should have been a foul. It was high feet and the referee agreed with me afterwards. 

"The boys didn't lie down. We took the game to them and we got a good goal out of it. Sean McLeod did well getting down the right to set up Lewis [Davidson], and it was a cracking finish.

"I thought we came out in the second half the better side and we had our opportunities, and they got a goal through a mistake, and we were chasing the game and switched off a bit.

"The free kick at the end of the first half - the flag was up early, and if the assistant referee and referee had had their earpieces in, the situation where the goal was initially awarded could have been avoided. I don't even think it was a free kick in the first place.

"There were a couple of big decisions that went against us, including the ref saying we'd fouled the Pollok keeper to deny us a goal when Lewis Davidson went in for the ball and the keeper parried it, so I am not happy about that. 

"For me, there was a win there for us against Pollok, and we didn't take it.

"I suppose that is just the way this league is. Last week you get a good win against Arthurlie, battling away, you come home and you end up losing it 3-1 after a decent display.

"There wasn't too much wrong with that display - just the finishing it off in both boxes, which we will be looking to improve for Saturday.

"We have a strong squad for the Benburb game, with people pushing for places, and we currently don't have any injuries, so we want to bounce back this weekend."

This Saturday's game at New Tinto Park kicks off at 1.30pm.