Renfrew boss Colin Clark insists his side were unfortunate not to take at least a point from their opening West Region Championship match against big spenders Darvel.

Following their relegation from the Premiership last season, Frew suffered a nightmare start to their league campaign with the Ayrshire side opening the scoring from a seemingly offside position after just three minutes.

Rather than let their heads drop after the stuttering start, however, Frew bounced back well and were rewarded 14 minutes in when Ryan Borris finished well to level proceedings.

In a game for the neutrals, it really was end to end stuff with both sides creating numerous chances in a frantic first-half.

But, despite the attacking threat from both sides, the third goal only fell Darvel’s way thanks to an own goal 36 minutes in.

Clark’s side then hit back quickly once again with Borris grabbing his second to ensure Frew went in level at the break.

The second-half followed suit with both sides pushing forward but the fifth goal wouldn’t arrive until the hour mark when Darren Miller stepped up to slot home a soft penalty.

Darvel added their fourth moments later with Miller producing a classy finish to all but seal the points and condemn Frew to an opening day loss.

Borris pulled one back from the spot to grab his hat-trick but it was too little too late as the hosts saw it out.

Clark said: “That was a tough one against a good Darvel team but we were very under-strength personnel wise. We gave a good account of ourselves nonetheless. The pattern of the game with it being end-to-end is how we expected it to go but we’re obviously just disappointed with the result.

“We were missing a few players with holidays and some of the boys aren’t up to full fitness yet but we still looked good over the piece.

“Their first goal was miles offside, their second was an own goal and their third was a penalty. Their fourth was just class but you can’t do anything about those.

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“Ryan got a hat-trick for us, though, and was the best player on the park by a mile.

“We were very unfortunate not to take anything out of it. It was probably a good game for the neutral but we were just disappointed.”

Frew now welcome Dalry to New Western Park tonight for their second league fixture with Clark admitting he doesn’t know anything about the opposition.

He added: “We’ll be trying to respond to the Darvel loss but we know it won’t be easy.

“We don’t know anything about Dalry to be honest so we’re going into it blind. I do know the manager and how he used to be as a player so we at least know it’ll be a tough one.”

Frew v Dalry at New Western Park kicks-off tonight at 7pm.

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