Renfrew put big guns to the sword

Promotion now within squad’s grasp

Craig Ritchie

Renfrew have given themselves the best possible chance of promotion with a win over one of the chasing pack.

The New Western Park side have set the target for the other sides in the league as they rounded off their league campaign with victory over Irvine Meadow.

Colin Clark and Martin Ferry’s side currently sit in second spot have gathered 49 points from their 26 league games.

Largs Thistle, Cambuslang Rangers, Troon, Rutherglen Glencairn and Irvine Meadow all remain in the hunt, with four promotion spots up for grabs.

But a win over Medda on Wednesday night has put ‘Frew in the driving seat – with the likes of Troon and Largs having to win all their games in hand to finish above them.

But despite the eventual scoreline, it proved to be a difficult evening for the hosts as they struggled to get going despite racing ahead early on.

David McKenna was the man on the end of a fine Scott Morton cross to the far post as he headed Renfrew in front inside five minutes.

However, from there it was a backs to the wall effort as Irvine Meadow took full control of proceedings.

Callum Gow and Jared Willet both netted before the interval to put the hosts ahead as the nerves evidently started to creep in from Renfrew.

A half-time talking to from Clark and Ferry, however, lifted spirits and Renfrew transformed from a side struggling to get out of their own half into one taking the game to their opponents, safe in the knowledge that anything less than a win would put them on the backfoot in the promotion race.

Enjoying periods of sustained possession, Renfrew took advantage with a well-worked goal to level things up as McKenna again got on the end of a cross.

A superb third showed just why Renfrew find themselves on the brink of a return to the top flight.

Tam Miller’s interception started a fantastic break up the park, playing a ball over the top for Morton to thunder home a stunning strike.

Renfrew switched back to a 4- 4- 2 to see the game out but they put the tie beyond any doubt when McKenna converted from the spot following a handball.

Boss Colin Clark said: “They came out and destroyed us in the first half. We were awful and we just couldn’t get going.

“It was probably nerves because this was a huge game for them.

“But once we made a couple of changes and got them in for half-time they were brilliant and I can’t fault them for their second-half performance.”