FREW THROW AWAY TWO GOAL LEAD

Published 24 Sep 2009 09:27

RENFREW'S general manager Dougie Mitchell has blasted his side's 'calamitous defending' after throwing away a two-goal lead at the Brig o'Lea Stadium on Saturday.

The Frew were 15 minutes away from inflicting a crushing 4-2 defeat against Neilston but were left to rue a lapse in concentration after defender David Gordon was dismissed for a foul on Andy Whiteford.

While Renfrew currently top the league scoring charts, they have also conceded more goals than any other team and Dougie Mitchell knows his side will have to stop the rot sooner rather than later.

He said: "It was there for all to see - calamitous defending. I'm glad we've got a couple of weeks off because there will need to be a lot of work done.

"We seem to be falling out of games, and looking at some of the players - their fitness levels might not be right.

"I think Matt McLean led the line well and wee Stephen Reid could have had about five or six goals.

"To score four goals away from home and end up drawing, especially with all that we created, it's hard to take.

"Over the next few weeks I think it's going to be a wee bit unsavoury on the training pitch because we're going to have to work."

Renfrew started well and opened the scoring in the 13th minute when the impressive Willie Stewart sneaked around the back of the home defence to head home a cross from ex-Arthurlie forward Matthew McLean. But Neilston responded well scoring twice in rapid succession.

The in-form Robbie Cameron provided the finish for David Armour before the midfielder turned provider, crossing for Darren Christie to fire his side into the lead.

Stephen Reid then passed up a glorious chance to draw level but made amends two minutes later when he latched on to another defence-splitting pass from Stewart before bundling the ball past Seamus McCafferty in goal.

Dean Sexton was on hand to tip Scott McFarlane's long range effort over the bar before the Frew took the lead shortly before the break. A short back pass from Joe Bryers was intercepted by McLean who finished in style by chipping McCafferty from outside the box.

John Hammond looked to have secured the points when he rose at the back post to slam his header in off the post but the Frew soon pushed the self-destruct button.

Gordon hauled down Andy Whiteford as the midfielder raced through on goal and referee Scott Love had no option but to point to the spot, dismissing the offending full-back.

The Neilston skipper composed himself and converted the penalty to spark a late revival for the Farmer's Boys.

Right winger Christie grabbed his second of the game when he slammed home from just inside the box, prompting mass celebrations in the home dug-out.

RENFREW: Sexton, Hammond, Gordon, Quigley, Dickie, Welsh, Forbes (Maxwell 77), Crowhurst, Stewart (Lauchlin 74), Reid (Smith 70), McLean. Subs: D Wilson, I Wilson, Currie.

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This article appeared in The Gazette 23 Sep 09

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