Cup blues for rusty Frew

Published 11 Feb 2010 09:23 0 Comments

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GOAL: David Gray slots the ball home from the spot

By Kristian Truelsen - Renfrew: 1 Tayport: 2

RENFREW were knocked out of the Emirates Junior Cup on Saturday - and manager Dougie Mitchell believes their three-month layoff was his side's downfall in the third round tie.

After losing an early goal after just two minutes, the Frew battled back and levelled through David Gray's penalty.

But the Port were too strong and secured their place in the next round through captain Roberto Morris in the second half.

Mitchell was relieved his players finally got a full 90 minutes under their belts.

And despite being disappointed with the loss, Mitchell believes they can now push on in their crucial league campaign.

He said: "There wasn't much in the game and there weren't many goal scoring chances.

"We looked like we were toiling more than Tayport.

"I knew it wouldn't have been the end of the world if we lost because we can now concentrate on the league which is vital for us.

"It would have been nice to win on Saturday but long term the league is vital for the club and we can now push on with the campaign.

"The two goals we gave away were sloppy and that just about sums up our season.

"Tayport weren't the team they once were but what swung the game in their favour was the fact they had a backbone.

"They had a strong defence that didn't give our forwards a sniff at goal but we are still changing our defence."

The Frew got off to the worst possible start when Grant Manzie netted the opener for the visitors early on.

But the Western Park side began to threaten after that early blow and David Gray tried his luck with a long range effort which Port keeper Frazer Fitzpatrick saved.

Tayport nearly scored a second on 37 minutes from Stuart Ferguson's dipping left-foot shot which cannoned off the cross bar. Mitchell's men weathered the storm and deservedly levelled just before the interval.

Gray stepped up to rifle home a spot kick after Scott Hunter was judged to have handled in the box.

Tayport still posed a threat into the second half and regained the lead 18 minutes after the restart.

Port skipper Roberto Morris found space in the Renfrew box before coolly rounding Sexton to slot home into an empty net.

Renfrew pushed forward in search of an equaliser with Gray, Clinton Maxwell and Neil Shearer coming close. However, Tayport held on to book their place in the next round.

Renfrew have a free weekend this Saturday and their next game will be on February 20.

This article appeared in The Gazette 10 Feb 10

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