'Not them again' Frew face hoodoo

Published 20 Jan 2010 16:20 0 Comments

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SO NEAR, YET SO FAR: Frew's Scottish Junior Cup semi-final defeat to Tayport at Love St in '05 drew an amazing crowd of 2,500

By Kristian Truelsen

DOUGIE Mitchell would love to get revenge on Renfrew's bogey team Tayport this Saturday in the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup fourth round.

Renfrew have tasted defeat against the East of Scotland side, being knocked out of the prestigious competition three times in recent years by the Port.

And the Frew's most bitter loss was in the semi-final at Love Street in April 2005.

Had Renfrew secured victory that night, they would have met Lochee United in the final.

But instead it was the Port who went on to lift the Cup at Tannadice a month later.

But Mitchell hopes to kick start 2010 by wiping out the Tayport hoodoo which has haunted them.

He said: "We have played them on three occasions in the Junior Cup in about the last four or five years.

"I have to admit when I saw the draw for the fourth round I thought 'not them again'.

"They are a team I would love to get one over because we have lost three times to them in the competition.

"We have also lost to them in replays in the earlier rounds.

"Unfortunately, I haven't had an opportunity to see them in action because of the weather.

"We had tried to set up a chance to see them play, but it didn't materialise. All I know is that they are in a similar position to us.

"If we win we will be in the last 16 of the tournament and that is when people start to take notice of you.

"I have said in the past that the most important objective for us is to stay in the league.

"The Scottish Junior Cup doesn't set you up for life but it does have prestige.

"Both teams haven't played for a while so it will be about the team who gel together quickest on the day.

"But we will give it our all on Saturday and hopefully get a result."

Renfrew have managed to return to normality after the weather eased off last week.

Mitchell revealed they are back in training this week as the players prepare for the Junior Cup clash.

He added: "It's getting a bit better as the players were back training last week

and they will be training twice this week as well.

"Alarm bells are ringing because it will be a rush to get our matches played at the end of the season.

"But that's what happens when you are still involved in cup competitions.

"In terms of bringing in players, at the moment we are happy with the 21 players we have on board.

"Obviously our injury situation has cleared up and all the players we have are committed to the club.

"We have not managed to get a chance to bring anyone in as we haven't arranged any friendlies, but getting new players is not the main focus for us at the moment."

Weather permitting, Renfrew's Emirates Junior Cup fourth round tie should go ahead on Saturday at Western Park at 1.45pm.

This article appeared in The Gazette 20 Jan 10

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