Frew gritty not pretty

Published 9 Dec 2009 15:01 0 Comments

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Renfrew 2 Neilston 1

RENFREW manager Dougie Mitchell admitted he doesn't mind his side playing ugly football - as long as they get the three points.

Mitchell saw his side gain a crucial victory over strugglers Neilston in a game that he conceded was not easy on the eye.

But the Frew manager was adamant it is more important for them to win than to play classy football.

And to him getting points on the board matters more especially now as junior players have to contend with deteriorated pitches at this time of year.

Despite the match lacking in free-flowing football, Mitchell was delighted with the outcome as Matt McLean scored twice to stretch the Western Park side's unbeaten run to six games.

He said: "It was a good win for us, but it wasn't pretty. Both teams probably didn't play to their full potential ,but the conditions weren't good.

"Obviously it would be nice to see your team win with class and quality, but sometimes you have to win ugly.

"A lot of sides manage to get promoted on scraping one-goal wins in matches and in some games that's what you need to do.

"I need to tell my players to adapt to the changing conditions. The weather is getting worse and playing conditions aren't improving so skilful players who are good on the ball will have to change their style."

Mitchell believes his side deserved their victory on Saturday which takes their unbeaten run to six games. The Renfrew boss is now looking forward to causing another upset against table-toppers Rutherglen Glencairn.

He added: "I felt Neilston had improved since we last played them and I think with Bobby Crilly bringing in new players they will start getting points.

"I wouldn't say Neilston were unlucky but it was a tight game which could have gone either way.

"I think we deserved the win, but we did hold a slender lead.

"We beat Rutherglen earlier in the season and they will be looking for revenge.

"They won't want to be beaten twice by the same team this season but we are six games unbeaten and that is quiet an achievement."

It was a pretty cagey opening half-hour for both teams. But Renfrew went 1-0 up when McLean headed home from eight yards from a curling corner provided by ex-Dumbarton winger David Gray.

Neilston equalised with a fortunate goal five minutes from the interval.

Forward Darren Christie brought the ball down just outside the box and let fly. The shot deflected off Frew defender David Gordon and it looped over home keeper Iain Wilson.

Renfrew scored the second after 65 minutes. McLean collected a wayward cross from Michael Dickie before he rolled it into the striker's path and slotted it away from five yards out.

That strike gave the ex-Arthurlie player his 13th goal of the campaign.

Neilston went down to 10 men when Alan Evans was sent off for pushing Frew skipper Neil Shearer in the face.

Renfrew's league clash with Rutherglen Glencairn takes place at New Southcroft Park at 1.45pm.

This article appeared in The Gazette 09 Dec 09

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