Hat-trick for Scott as ‘Frew blitz Burgh

Cup bid gets off to a great start

Dean Robertson

Renfrew got their Central Sectional League Cup campaign off to an emphatic start as they hammered five past sorry Johnstone Burgh.

The two Renfrewshire rivals squared up at New Western Park with the first three points of the group stage up for grabs.

There wasn’t much to separate the sides early on, but goals from Kieran Healy and Darren Jones, and a Scott Morton hat-trick, secured victory for the hosts.

Renfrew co- manager Colin Clark couldn’t hide his delight after watching his side get their season off to a winning start with an impressive display.

Clark said: “I thought we were always good for the win. We fell behind at first but reacted well and turned the game around.

“These early games can always be tricky, even moreso when it’s a derby, but I’m pleased we were able to get the win.

“Winning 5-1 against any team is great, but to do it against your rivals is even better. I couldn’t think of a better way to start the season.”

It looked like Renfrew had got off to the perfect start when Scott Morton put the ball into Burgh’s net with only five minutes on the clock. But the goal was disallowed as Paddy O’Keefe was deemed to have been in an offside position when the ball was originally played into the box.

But Renfrew were the team in control early on – only for it to be the visitors who took the lead through former ‘Frew man Scott Arthur.

Paul Sweeney knocked the ball over the ‘Frew backline into the path of Arthur who volleyed home from inside the box.

Renfrew wouldn’t have to wait long for an equaliser, as only two minutes later Morton scored to make it 1-1.

Kieran Healy headed home a Connor McGuinness free kick three minutes before the break to give the hosts a 2-1 lead at half-time.

The second half saw Renfrew take full control of the match and they doubled their lead just before the

Latest Junior results are as follows: Central Sectional League Cup:

Section One: Forth Wanderers 5 Royal Albert 2, Lanark United 1 Larkhall Thistle 3.

Section Two: Carluke Rovers 0 Wishaw Juniors 0, Newmains United 3 Shotts Bon Accord 4.

Section Three: Petershill 1 Thorniewood United 3, Bellshill Athletic 2 Shettleston 0.

Section Four: Blantyre Victoria 2 East Kilbride hour mark with a penalty kick.

Burgh’s Jonny Yule was penalised for a handball after sliding in to prevent a low cross from David Quinn.

Morton stepped up to take the spot kick and fired his shot low into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

And Morton completed his hat-trick 10 minutes later with an almost identical penalty after Yule fouled Quinn in the box.

Things then went from bad to worse for Burgh when Greg McBride was sent off for abusive language toward the referee.

Renfrew substitute Darren Jones put the final nail in Burgh’s coffin when he netted the hosts’ fifth and final goal.

Johnstone Burgh co-manager David Brolly admitted it hurt to watch his side suffer a heavy loss against their local rivals.

He said: “It’s really disappointing to lose by such a large margin, in all honesty, I’m hurting after that result.

“We had a very strong showing in the first half but we just didn’t turn up in the second half – and the scoreline shows that.”

Thistle 1, Cambuslang Rangers 6 Vale of Clyde 0.

Section Five: Benburb 3 Neilston Juniors 1, St Anthony’s 1 Pollok 5.

Section Six: Ashfield 2 Maryhill 2, Glasgow Perthshire 1 Clydebank 2.

Section Seven: Renfrew 5 Johnstone Burgh 1, Port Glasgow Juniors 3 Vale of Leven 0.

Section Eight: Cumbernauld United 3 Kilsyth Rangers 1.