Stopper saves the day for Johnstone
Renfrew succumbed to a seaside shocker as they were on the receiving end of a 5-0 drubbing by Largs.
‘ Frew threatened early on as Ryan Borris forced a fingertip save from Sean Graham in the opening exchanges as they looked to record two wins on the bounce.
But that was basically as good as it got for the struggling New Western Park side after the hosts kicked into gear shortly afterwards.
Scott Adam opened the scoring for Largs five minutes in as he fired under Dale Burgess to complete a well-worked move that started in the hosts’ own half.
Kevin Struthers then made it 2-0 shortly before half-time as he curled home with the outside of his boot to leave Burgess stranded.
Renfrew had a flurry of opportunities just before the interval but David McKenna seen his strike blocked following a corner.
The second half was something of a non event for Renfrew, with Ben Black slotting into the bottom corner via the post to make it 3-0 before the hour mark.
A red card for Thistle’s Mark Millar handed the visitors some hope following a rash challenge on Craig Dallas, with McKenna seeing a drive blocked at his feet from the resulting free-kick.
But they shot themselves in the foot moments later when Thomas Miller sent Black tumbling inside the box.
Keeper Burgess was sent off in the aftermath, but his replacement Danny McLeay was unable to keep out Struthers’ spot kick as he made it 4-0.
The rout was completed seven minutes from time when Laurie McMaster struck, with the result keep Renfrew firmly in the relegation spots.
Renfrew: Burgess, Henry, Miller, Healy, MacLennan, Borris, Maxwell, Benton, McKenna, Hardie, Innes.
Subs: McLeay, McNeill, O’Keefe, Dallas, Cochrane. Johnstone Burgh..2 Muirkirk................0
Craig Ritchie
Johnstone Burgh returned to winning ways at Keanie Park with a hard-fought victory over Muirkirk Juniors.
However, they had goalkeeper Gavin Wallace to thank for keeping them in the game early on as he produced a number of fine saves to ensure that the deadlock remained unbroken.
Wallace, back for his second spell with the club, was in stunning form throughout the clash and somehow managed to claw away a Jay Burns header that seemed to everyone to be destined for the top corner.
He then dusted himself down to make impressive saves from a Daryl McDonald volley and a long-range effort from Scott Steedman as the visitors cranked up the pressure early on.
However, the Burgh defence also appeared up for the task despite a barrage of high balls into their box from the visiting Ayrshire side.
A number of set pieces from the visitors saw the likes of Niall Herron and Ross Geddes hold firm while also keeping their teammates well organised.
But the hosts also had ambitions of their own, with on-form striker Ryan Officer going close with a header – only to be denied with a good save from the Muirkirk goalkeeper.
And as the half drew to a close Derek McGrory and Ross Lundie had shots off target as the Kirk tried to capitalise on their possession at the other end.
It was Jamie McKim’s Burgh that started the second half on the front foot as the game descended into a more scrappy affair.