Renfrew co-boss Colin Clark hailed his threadbare squad after they kicked off 2020 in some style with an emphatic 5-1 win over Shotts Bon Accord on Saturday.

With the previous weekend’s match against Petershill abandoned after a brawl, Frew were looking to put those unsavoury scenes behind them – and they did just that, with Rikki McIntosh opening the scoring six minutes in.

Already struggling for numbers due to injury and suspension, things went from bad to worse for the New Western Park side when Alex McEwan hobbled off on the 10-minute mark.

But that didn’t stop Frew’s momentum as they went on to quickly double their advantage 18 minutes in, thanks to Ross Gilmour’s strike.

Paddy O’Keefe got in on the act to send Renfrew in three to the good at the break before the visitors pulled one back moments into the second half.

David McKenna restored the hosts’ three-goal lead on the hour mark before rounding off the rout from the penalty spot.

The Gazette: Clark was full of praise for his threadbare side Clark was full of praise for his threadbare side

Putting the Peasy incident to one side, the comprehensive Shotts win saw Renfrew take their goal tally to 11 from their last two outings, with Clark insisting there’s still plenty more to come.

He said: “We were all delighted with that result and performance on Saturday. We had a few suspensions and injuries, which makes it all the sweeter to be honest. We’ve been struggling for numbers, so to come through the festive period with a 5-1 and 6-0 win was superb from the boys.

“Everyone was a standout for us against Shotts. We were excellent right through the spine of the team, which really set us up for a big win.

“We’ve managed to score 11 goals while letting in just the one over the last two games, which is excellent.

“We’ve got two of the top strikers in the league, which helps. Saying that, Scott Morton is missing a lot of games through work and, by his own admission, McKenna has not been at his best. It bodes well for us that we’re still scoring plenty before those two properly find their shooting boots.”

Renfrew now turn their attention to the Ardagh Group West of Scotland Cup, where they will make the short trip to Keanie Park to take on Johnstone Burgh in a mouthwatering second round clash.

Clark is confident of a win against the West League Two side but will not be taking Burgh lightly after Jamie McKim’s side knocked his team out of the Sectional League Cup last season.

He added: “Burgh will be a difficult match this weekend. They’re going extremely well in their league and will maybe have nothing to lose in the cup.

“They turned us over when we last faced them in the quarter-final of the Sectional League Cup, so we know to expect a tough game.”

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