Costly cup exit for Frew

Published 10 Mar 2010 13:34 0 Comments

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SAFE HANDS: Dean Sexton

By Iain Smith - Renfrew 0 Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 2

THREADBARE Renfrew exited the West of Scotland Cup on Saturday, despite a terrific display from keeper Dean Sexton.

The resolute stopper, once on the books at Adamslie Park, produced a string of gallant saves to deny the visitors throughout the game, but couldn't clinch a deserved clean sheet.

Manager Colin Clark gave special mention of his performance and is keen on more to come, with the Frew returning their focus to league safety.

He said: "The biggest positive for us is that our goalkeeper seemed to turn the corner - he had a great game.

"But to be honest, that's the least he had owed us and I think he knows that. So long may it continue because so far this season he had not been up to standard, but that was an outstanding performance."

Sexton was called into action early on, denying winger Grant Anderson's point blank header before steering striker Craig Feroz's looping header onto the cross bar. The stopper was called upon earlier in the first to deny Feroz again by diving across goal to tip his goal bound volley around the post.

From the resulting corner however, his hard work was undone as Rabs defender James Lennox powered a header through the Frew defence for the opener.

Renfrew's thin squad were unable to cope with their buoyant visitors with midfielder Chris Cameron, and his replacement James Crowhurst, both forced off with injuries.

The scoreline then doubled 20 minutes from time as the impressive Anderson slid a cross into the path of substitute Stephen McGowan, whose bobbled shot trickled under Sexton.

Gaffer Clark admitted his side were outclassed on the day, but Renfrew were unable to really test their opponents with such a "shadow squad".

He added: "Before we started, we had 12 fit players and that included me. The two substitutes we made both went on with injuries, so that's the state of play.

"We had two strikers playing out of position and we lost our only recognised midfielder, Chris Cameron, at half time which really killed us.

"In the first half, I thought we did okay but in the second half their class showed in the end. We gave them two bad goals but they had a lot of other chances."

Renfrew can now turn their attentions to the league where their battle to avoid a relegation dogfight starts with Saturday's trip into the heart of Ayrshire to face potential rivals Maybole.

The Bole have bagged two opening-day victories over the Frew, who will be looking to maintain their streak of wins at Ladywell Stadium, with six points from their last two visits.

Yet despite a complementary record against Peter Leonard's side, Renfrew will make the journey with a plethora of missing players.

Alan Prentice is serving the second of his two match ban for his dismissal against Dalry Thistle last weekend. New signing Cameron is a big worry for Renfrew as they await the outcome of tests after the midfielder complained of blurred vision at half time on Saturday.

The former Neilston playmaker was playing in only his second competitive game for the Frew, and could be out for a few weeks.

Winger Crowhurst also aggravated a hamstring injury during his ten-minute appearance and could also face a prolonged period on the sidelines.

But David Gray could return to the side, after securing a deal with American amateur side Kitsap Pumas.

The talented winger will fly out to Washington at the end of the month to begin pre-season training with the Washington-based outfit.

Renfrew: Sexton, Hammond, Gordon, Currie, Shearer, Dickie, Cameron (Crowhurst 46, off Quigley 54), Reid, Maxwell, McLean, Forbes. Subs: Lauchlin, Clark.

This article appeared in The Gazette 10 Mar 10

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