By Calum Corral

A YOUNG Morton side were beaten 3-0 against an experienced Largs Thistle outfit in a friendly game at Barrfields Park on Wednesday evening.

Thistle worked hard to contain the dangerous and hard-working young Ton unit, and after weathering the storm, the junior side showed their class as they ran out comfortable victors.

Both keepers were busy in the early exchanges with former Greenock Juniors winger Martin Orr on the right supplying another new signing in Jamie Campbell whose header was only parried by the Morton keeper and had to be cleared off the line by defenders.

At the other end, Lundy was forced into some good stops amid soaking conditions.

Morton's best move of the match opened up the Thistle rearguard down the right channel but Ruaridh Langan's fast paced shot was smothered by the Thistle no.1.

Largs opened the scoring on the half-hour mark as new signing Scott Adam sent a glancing header goalwards from Campbell's corner out on the right, taking a deflection before finishing up in the back of the net.

Another new signing in Stephen Burden busied himself in the middle of the field, and nearly scored with a 20-yard blast which was well gathered by the Ton keeper.

But Burden was not to be denied a second time as he showed real composure during another quick passing move, to turn his defender, and confidently curl the ball into the bottom right hand corner from the edge of the area.

Morton looked brighter at the start of the second half with Langan blazing over from good positioning, and Lundy making some more important stops, including during one goalmouth scramble when the Greenock side had several chances to score,

But the Largs defence were resolute and restricted Morton, and another good chance fell to Langan who smacked in a half-volley but Lundy again saved the day.

Thistle soaked up the pressure well and extended their lead on 75 minutes as a swirling Burden free kick from 35 yards out was majestically headed home by the towering Nicky Jamieson into the top left hand corner.

Largs were spraying the ball about well, and it certainly looked very encouraging with their new signings playing a part, with former Arthurlie midfielder Ryan McKie also looking dangerous at times.

Morton had some late chances, but again Lundy showed superb reflexes to kick away Jack Purdie's flicked half volley following a dangerous cross.

Despite the scoreline, Morton certainly provided a sufficient test for Largs and put them under some pressure at times, while from an attacking point of view, Thistle scored some good goals, and looked capable of scoring more.

Largs: Lundy, Ashe, McMaster, Jamieson, Little, Fleming, Orr, Burden, Adam, Campbell, McKie. Subs: Gilbride, trialists. GK: Graham

Morton XI: McGowan, Hynes, Strapp, Fredale, Durham, Lyon, Duffy, Langan, Armour, Purdue, Trialist. Subs: Eardley, Anderson, Miller, Trialist, McHatton, Docherty, Trialist