Renfrew co-manager Colin Clark admits that he is not too concerned about his side’s pre-season form as they gear up for their first competitive game of the season on Friday night. 


The Frew were beaten 5-1 by Cumnock Juniors on Saturday and lost out 4-2 to Hamilton Academical’s Under 20s side on Wednesday. 


Cumnock raced into a 3-0 half-time lead and added another after the break before Richard Henry swept home from close range for Renfrew. 


The hosts scored again before The Frew had a chance from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit to three once again, but David McKenna’s penalty cracked the post. 


However, after being involved in pre-seasons where his side have swept teams aside, Clark says that it’s important not to read too much into the results. He said: “Results aren’t too important. 


“I’ve been in pre-seasons where we’ve been winning games and playing well then the league action comes and we get beat. 


“There’s no formula for pre-season. Confidence is a big thing obviously but when the league starts it’s a different kettle of fish.” 


Renfrew are gearing up for life in the Premiership after promotion last season, and Clark thinks that Saturday’s game has given his players a good idea of the standard that they need to be at to compete in the top tier. 


He said: “Playing a friendly against a team in your own league was probably a strange fixture to take but it’s showed the boys the level they need to be at. 


“There was nothing wrong with the way we played and if you were a neutral you would say that we played the better football. 


“We just have to defend better. The defence has changed a lot in the past two games. It’s cross balls that are catching us out. It’s things that can be fixed.” 


Clark’s side kick off their competitive season on Friday night against Port Glasgow Juniors in the Sectional League Cup. 


They then face St Anthony’s on Monday and Greenock Juniors on Wednesday on what is a hectic start to the season before league action kicks off the following Saturday (4th) against the much-fancied Pollok. 


And despite points being on offer, Clark says that the League Cup will still be about trying to find the best fit for his side. He said: “We’re still trying to find our best formation and a system that works. 


“That’s what pre-season is for and the League Cup will be an extension of that. 


“We have to try and get used to each other. We’ll be experimenting. 


“We’ve got a squad that we’re happy with, maybe with one or two others needed in the right areas.