It is building up to quite a season so far for Largs Colts, as they overcame a spirited Ayr Boswell side to lift the League Cup. In a highly competitive match these two league rivals looked impossible to separate at half time, but some explosive finishing eventually gave Colts the edge to lift the honours.

With Glen McTaggart’s rocket right after time, you might have thought Colts would kick on. But just a minute later Boswell came up with an instant response through Todd Henderson’s sublime shot. Colts got themselves ahead again, but this tie was still in the balance until the closing stages, when Louis Bainbridge’s audacious chip settled the affair. There will be some great video moments for both sides to look back on.

This was a real deadlock for the opening 20 minutes, with both midfields working tirelessly to gain an extra yard for their attackers. Defences were on top, with Boswell nullifying the threat of Adam Brown and Dylan Smith up front for Colts.

Boswell had the first effort on goal on 9 minutes from the set piece. TJ Rankin took aim, and his deflected shot almost caught out Jonathan Irwin, but the Largs keeper managed to recover and tip to safety.

Ayr continued to threaten from the dead ball, with Cameron McIntyre testing Irwin on 26 minutes. The deadlock continued with Boswell playing a high defence and denying Colts the space to get their passing game going.

Slowly though, the Largs midfield started to assert themselves, with McTaggart and Robbie Coupar showing a good range of passing to mix the game up and have Boswell on the back foot. A quick switch of play down the left almost brought dividends as Bainbridge released Craig Loudon on a driving run. He crossed for Smith but the striker could only find the side netting on 33 minutes.

With few clear cut first half openings Colts got the second half off to a bang with a sensational opener. They had started much the livelier, and after a good passage of passing between Bainbridge and the industrious Lewis Cormack, McTaggart took full advantage of space outside the box the curl an exquisite finish past Harry Findlay.

The deadlock was broken, and indeed it sparked Boswell into an instant and spectacular response. The ball was played down the right, with Reece Gibson finding Henderson inside the box with his back to goal. Not a lot seemed on, but his instinctive turn and shot found Irwin’s far corner and we were honours even again after just 4 minutes of the half.

The match reverted to the midfield battle of the first half, with Colts pressing upfield but Boswell equal to the challenge. McIntyre provided some real energy, committing defenders, with Henderson always a danger to the Largs defence.

It would take either a moment of magic or a mistake for either side to gain the advantage. Sadly for Boswell it game after 49 minutes. Bainbridge swung a high ball in behind the Ayr back four for Smith to chase down and dispossess Findlay. It gave him the easiest of finishes to put Largs back in front.

Colts really then started to grow in confidence and should have put the game beyond Boswell two minutes later. McTaggart found Smith inside the box, but this time Findlay redeemed himself with a fine stop to keep Boswell hopes alive.

Ayr kept battling to find a way back at the other end, with Ben Wright’s header cleared off the line from the corner kick on the hour mark. With 10 minutes to go they went with 3 at the back in attempt to rescue matters.

With two minutes on the clock though, Colts put all doubts to bed as they re-established their two goal lead. Bainbridge latched onto a loose ball outside the box, and with Findlay, readjusting his position, measured a perfect chip which soared past the Boswell keeper and into the net. A fitting finale to this even contest, with expert finishing the difference.

Colts popped the fizz at full time, and will be hoping there is more to taste before the end of this season. They return to race for the title next week, with Boswell not far off the pace either as the season enters its home straight.