FREW CRUISE INTO THE THIRD ROUND

Published 4 Nov 2009 15:00 0 Comments

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Renfrew: 5 Fraserburgh: 1

NEW signing David Gray produced a stunning debut performance to help fire Renfrew into the next round of the Emirates Junior Cup.

The winger made the switch from Rob Roy just hours before Saturday's clash with Fraserburgh and made an immediate impact for his new side with a hand in all five goals.

The Renfrew support immediately warmed to the youngster's attacking prowess and general manager Dougie Mitchell is looking forward to seeing more of the same from Gray.

He said: "David is a great acquisition to the squad, his deliveries are absolute quality and he puts defenders under pressure.

"He's the sort of player we have been crying out for here because we're a wee bit short on the ground.

"Set pieces are something the lads will be working on in training because there are goals there."

Renfrew started well against their North Region visitors and Gray wasted no time in testing the United back line.

After a couple of quick snap shots, the winger then weaved through the Fraserburgh defence before crossing from Jim Quigley to head home for the opener.

Despite constant pressure on the United goal, the visitors etched out an equaliser entirely against the run of play when defender Stuart Noble got in behind the Renfrew defence to turn home from close range.

Renfrew took a while to regain their composure and had to wait until five minutes from the interval to retake the lead.

Gray continued his onslaught by clipping his cross-field pass behind the visiting backline for Stephen Reid to fire home.

The former Dumbarton winger then claimed his first Renfrew goal in spectacular style when he unleashed an unstoppable drive from 25 yards.

Renfrew's fourth arrived on the hour mark when Brian Welsh powered his header home from Gray's pinpoint corner with the result now beyond doubt.

Reid looked determined to grab a second and came within inches of doing so when he crashed an effort of the post.

But the forward was soon rewarded when he picked up Gray's throw-in before turning his man and lobbing the United keeper from outside the box.

Renfrew will now welcome table-topping Ashfield to Western Park this Saturday, no doubt eager to get their stagnant league campaign back on track.

Co-manager Colin Clark is looking for his side to build on their cup win by shutting out the Glasgow side.

He said: "We're through to the next round which is great and it will give the place a lift being in the Scottish Cup for another month.

"We made a few mistakes that led to their goal and if we do that against Ashfield next week we'll lose the game.

"We're being punished for not being tight enough or making the wrong decision, but, again, if we rectify that then we'll win.

"Ashfield are top of the league and everyone will be fancying them to win but I know different - I know what we've got here."

Kick-off against Ashfield is set for 2pm.

RENFREW: Wilson, Hammond, Gordon, Welsh, Dickie (Loughlin 62), Forbes, Stewart (Miller 69), Gray, McLean (Maxwell 70), Reid. SUBS: Sexton, Shearer.

By Iain Smith

This article appeared in The Gazette 04 Nov 09

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