Published: Wednesday, 22nd April, 2009 12:30pm

Cup scalp begins a busy eight days

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Vale of Clyde 1 Renfrew 2

RENFREW recorded a massive scalp over Vale of Clyde on Saturday in the Central League Cup but injury worries could threaten to derail their league campaign.

The Western Park side were unable to name a full squad for their trip to Fullarton Park and with the intense nature of the mid-week fixtures, the Frew may be stretched even further.

Stephen Reid and Gordon Cochrane scored early on for the Frew, but Reid was forced off early with a muscle strain.

.Dean McKay is definitely ruled out with a broken arm and joins the list of long-term absentees Greg Millar, Steven Jack and Cameron Rankin.

Renfrew"s General Manager Dougie Mitchell was delighted with his sides" cup win, but is now concentrating on the tough week ahead. He said: 'Every team is stretched to the limit in midweek games but to give us four games in eight days is just horrendous.

'I would love to get through this week unscathed. A couple of away draws and beating Annbank at home would do nicely and that would more or less keep us in the league.

'I"m absolutely delighted to get through to the next round. It"s a great boost for us.

'But our second half performances is really something we have to look at. We had a good first half on Saturday, but poor second half performances came back to haunt us again. It"s been happening a lot.'

The first goal of the game came after just three minutes when Reid latched onto a long throw and finished with a stylish bicycle kick. It took only seven minutes for the Frew to double their lead as frontman Cochrane, returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, rose above two defenders to head home from eight yards out after some good work on the left from James Crowhurst.

The Vale tried to get back into the game and scored minutes following the restart after a rare Dean Sexton howler.

The usually reliable stopper let a fairly innocuous shot slip through his legs to give the Vale a way back into the game with the bulk of the second half still to play.

There were some nervy moments at the back for Renfrew, but the Vale showed poor distribution and composure on the ball when attacking and the Frew held on for an impressive victory.

Renfrew: Sexton, Hammond, Dickie, Gordon, Shearer, Crowhurst, Deas, Mort, Reid (Laughlin on 33, off 67 Fraser) Cochrane, Maxwell Subs: Marshall.