Glens opening day win
Glencairn made the best possible start to their league season with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Largs.
There were three changes to the starting line-up from last week’s win over Vale of Clyde. There was a recall on the right of midfield for Jamie MacLeod. Paul Thomson started on the left at the expense of Keiran Donaghy, while Steven McClung was selected up front. Both of the trialists who impressed last week were given another chance to catch the eye.
Allan Frizzel fired over as Largs started on the front foot. But they had a lucky escape when McDonald should have been shown a second yellow card for a foul on MacLeod.
Euan Lindsay should have opened the scoring for a home side, but his sclaffed shot was saved by Hutchison.
The Glens keeper denied the same player on the stroke of half-time when he blocked at his feet.
Lindsay spurned his third great chance early in the second half. This time he slipped the ball past Hutchison but Ballantyne managed to clear off the line.
Glens worked their way back into the match and the decisive moment arrived in the 57th minute. Largs failed to clear the initial shot and the ball broke to Del Esplin who skipped past three challenges before picking his spot in the corner of the net.
Glens trialist thought he’d won a penalty when he was taken out in the act of shooting, but the ref waved play on.
Hutchison then pulled off a wonder save from Lindsay when he blocked his point-blank volley before the ref’s patience finally snapped and Stanton scythed down Donaghy and was given a straight red.