Gaffer’s plea to strike ace
Renfrew manager Colin Clark has called on experienced campaigner Jamie Benton to step up to the plate.
The attacking midfielder has been a staple in a ‘Frew side that has bounced between divisions in recent seasons having previously turned out for East Stirlingshire and Maryhill before arriving at New Western Park in 2013.
Benton struck the winner in last weekend’s victory away to Troon, at Portland Park, but ahead of a return to his former Maryhill stomping ground this afternoon, Clark has called on Benton to nail down his spot in the side.
Clark said: “Jamie is a player that we have come to be able to rely upon in recent years and is a great guy to have around the squad.
“In the past few seasons he has made a knack of scoring goals by bursting late into the box and feeding off the scraps.
“For whatever reason he has struggled to do that this season, so I had a word with him in the dressing room before the game down at Troon.
“He needs to be doing that more often for us – he did it on Saturday and it proves he is capable of doing it.
“With a number of strikers out injured, it is up to the more attacking midfielders to take on that responsibility.
“Jamie is capable of doing that when called upon and hopefully he can start a run of goals.”
Renfrew’s forward line has been plagued with problems this season – though you would never know it after a glance at the league table.
‘ Frew currently sit pretty in second spot in the Super League First Division, doing so without the likes of Darren Jones, Scott Morton and Jamie Docherty in recent weeks.
The long- term injury to Alain Kinney has also seen the experienced striker posted missing for upwards of a year.
Docherty is set to return from suspension this weekend, however Jones aggravated an injury during Saturday’s clash
Johnstone Burgh hope it will be third time lucky for their Scottish Cup clash with Lochee United as the tie looks to finally beat the weather.
Burgh are rank outsiders for the clash against with Troon.
Clark has bid to combat that with the addition of Craig Dallas on loan from Kilwinning Rangers until March.
Dallas has started the side’s last two games, and is in line for another start at Lochburn Park today.
Clark added: “Dallas is a player that we had had our eye on for quite some time.
“He was playing for Gartcairn Under-21s last season and we had spoken to him about potentially coming to Renfrew for this season.
“He opted to go to Kilwinning, but he has struggled for gametime behind the likes of Carlo Monti.
“We always kept tabs on his progress and when Kilwinning phoned and asked if we would be interested in taking him on loan, we were happy to take them up on the offer.
“He gives us something that we don’t already have.
“He is a little tricky winger and he can create something out of nothing and that is vital when you consider just how short we are in the striker department.”
the East Region high-flyers – but a few weeks off may have given them the focus to mount a cup run.
Neilston are on the road again when they make the relatively short trip to Holm Park for their match with Steph Reilly’s Yoker, while Arthurlie will hope Dunterlie beats the wintry conditions when Clydebank come to town.