JUNIOR FOOTBALL
Clark aims to put trio to the sword
Renfrew manager Colin Clark has vowed there will be no old pals act as his side do battle with Neilston tonight.
Clark has previously managed all three members of the Farmer’s Boys management team during the course of their playing careers.
Derek Carson, Chris Cameron and David Gordon all featured for Frew at some point before turning their attentions to managing the Brig O’Lea side.
Although he is delighted to see his former charges follow in his footsteps and into management, Clark is hoping to put them to the sword away from home.
Clark told Express Sport: “I know them all very well, Chrissy and Davie were here and part of some very successful Renfrew sides.
“I had Carson here as well so it will be good to see them after the match. But like every other game, friendships go out of the window for 90 minutes.
“If their team is anything like them then they will be really hard to beat.
“They will come into this match really motivated having beat a rea l l y impressive Irvine Vics side at the weekend – they will certainly be confident.
“Vics were on a good run of form going into that match so it is a really impressive result for them.
“But we have started the season in decent form and hopefully our boys can continue that.”
Clark, who was forced to name himself as a substitute for Saturday’s win over Gartcairn, faces another selection headache for tonight’s clash.
Ross Gilmour, Rikki McIntosh, Richard Henry, Kerr Allan, Reece McGillion and Ryan Borris are all doubts for the clash against their near neighbours.
But Clark should have the attacking threat of Scott Morton and Jamie Benton to call upon after the pair missed the weekend.
The gaffer has no complaints about his players missing games through injury. But he does reckon that common sense should prevail when it comes to the fixture schedule.
He added: “I think something has to be done because there are far too many games at this stage.
“You are basically punishing teams for being successful by cramming in the Sectional League Cup knock-out stages during the midweek.
“We have struggled as a result of getting through the group as it gave us an extra game to contend with.
“I think in future seasons that teams might think twice about where their priorities lie, and whether they will take the competition seriously if it is going to effectively count against them when it comes to the league campaign.”