Jamie McKim watched his Johnstone Burgh side dump Renfrew out of the West of Scotland Cup on Saturday, before insisting no-one at the club was surprised at the win.
Despite two divisions separating the sides, Burgh went into the local derby full of confidence on the back of a stunning league run and inspired by memories of last year’s 4-0 Sectional League Cup quarter-final demolition of Frew.
With heavy rain forecast and Keanie Park struggling to cope, the decision was made earlier in the week to switch the second round tie to New Western Park.
And the Johnstone side didn’t let that daunt them as they opened the scoring after just three minutes, with big defender David Orr nodding in at the back post after Robbie McCutcheon’s long throw evaded the Frew defence.
McKim later revealed that Burgh’s gameplan was to sit in and frustrate the West Region Championship side – and they did just that after racing into an early lead, with Renfrew’s usually dangerous forward line thwarted.
READ MORE: Burgh boss looking on the bright side after yet another call-off
Burgh doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark as Orr popped up at the back post again for a carbon copy of their opener.
Renfrew managed to pull one back from the restart, with an audacious long-range effort in the swirling wind catching Burgh keeper Stuart Collins by surprise.
But the League Two side didn’t panic after their lead was halved, instead comfortably seeing it out to book their spot in the third round.
“First and foremost, we fully expected to compete against Renfrew,” McKim told Gazette Sport. “It wasn’t one of those cup games where, if we get beat, it wouldn’t have mattered and we’d have brushed it off. We went into this knowing we were good enough to get the win and carried out our gameplan perfectly.
“We beat them comfortably in the Sectional League Cup last year, so we knew we were as good as them. I knew that, if we played to our strengths and made sure the game was on our terms, we could win, so I’m delighted it worked out like that.
“I think we got the tactics spot on and that’s down to hard work. We might have had nine games called off this season but that doesn’t mean we’ve taken the weekends off. We’re putting in the work and research.
“We went to watch Renfrew win 5-1 against Shotts last weekend. I was down to see 45 minutes of Renfrew’s 5-1 win over Shotts Bon Accord last weekend and could clearly see from minute one until minute 45 that they did the exact same thing.
“They’re really good at what they do, which is why they’re up there challenging in the Championship, but I knew they were there for the taking if we stopped them playing their game.
READ MORE: Postponements continue to blight Burgh's season
“Our boys were all brilliant. They stuck to our tactics perfectly and they got their rewards, which is a scalp and a place in the third round of the cup, but we’re not surprised by the win in the slightest.”
Weather permitting, Burgh will make the trip down to Ayrshire this weekend to take on Lugar Boswell Thistle, with high hopes of another win.
McKim said: “Lugar Boswell are a bit of an unknown quantity for us. I haven’t been able to take a game in yet myself, which I don’t like at all.
“What I do know for a fact is that it’ll be really tough down there, as it always is against the Ayrshire teams.
“It’s a small, narrow pitch and it could prove to be difficult if the poor weather conditions continue.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article