Renfrew cup hopes dashed by Larkhall

Renfrew crashed out of the West of Scotland Cup at the first hurdle as they were outfought by Larkhall at New Western Park.

Colin Clark and Martin Ferry’s men simply struggled to get going in the first round clash, with the visitors storming to victory in the second half.

The hosts came out looking lively in the first half but failed to make a couple of early opportunities count.

That would come back to bite Renfrew, with less that 10 minutes on the clock. A long ball up the park by keeper Johnny Duncan caught out the Renfrew backline and in nipped Gary McStay to lob keeper Danny McLeay and open the scoring.

Five minutes later and it was 2-0 to the visitors. The Renfrew defence failed to deal with a ball into the box and Craig Forbes was on hand to fire home.

Larkhall continued to control proceedings, however Renfrew managed to get themselves back in the clash on the stroke of half time. Jamie Benton’s cross towards the back post appeared to catch out the Larkhall keeper as it dropped over his head and in at the back post.

A half-time talking to didn’t have the required affect for the hosts, with Larkhall extending their advantage within seven minutes.

Evergreen striker Graham Gracie was the man on target as he raced clear of the Renfrew defence before rounding keeper McLeay and slotting into the empty net.

A couple of half chances were as good as it got for Renfrew in the second half despite looking slightly more threatening after the break.

But any hopes of a comeback were well and truly ended when Gracie notched his second of the afternoon four minutes from time to seal the win.

Renfrew: McLeay; Barbour, Miller, Lyden, Healy, McGuinness, Wylie, O’Keefe, Cochrane, Benton, Quinn.

Subs: Gordon and Maxwell.