Glens make it a perfect start to the season
Glencairn got off to the perfect start in the McBookie.com West Region Super League Division One as they comfortably defeated Renfrew.
Willie Harvey gave a vote of confidence to the starting team who had played well in the midweek cup tie against Pollok.
And it took them just seven minutes to repay that faith.
Fraser Team out-paced David Gordon before rolling the ball home.
Glencairn sensed their chance to turn the screw, and Jamie Hamilton’s cross was just out of the reach of Del McNab at the back post.
More trickery by Hamilton set up a shooting chance for Jay McKay which was blocked away, and Sean McGuire lifted the rebound effort over the bar.
Glens lost some of their early impetus and ‘Frew enjoyed a few openings.
But the home side found their feet again and doubled their lead just before half-time.
Hamilton’s corner from the left was met by the head of McKay, and his effort rebounded from the bar into the path of Fraser Team who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
The loss of the second goal just before the interval was clearly a big blow to the visitors, and they came out for the second half with a bit more purpose, Kieran Healy firing just over in the 49th minute after a spell of pressure.
Donaldson was withdrawn after picking up an injury and was replaced in central defence by Ryan Docherty.
As the visitors pushed forward gaps started to appear in their backline and McKay curled a shot just wide.
There was a big let-off for Glencairn at the mid point of the second half as Docherty was caught out and Morton only had Hutchison to beat, but he fired wide of goal from 12 yards.
Glencairn punished Renfrew for that miss only a few minutes later as the lead was increased to 3-0 in the 72nd minute.
A delightful pass by McKay released Fraser Team in behind the defence, and he produced a calm finish for his hat trick. Renfrew were given a chink of hope in the 77th minute as they pulled a goal back with a real slice of good fortune.
Lee Cochrane fired in a free kick which took a huge deflection and flashed into the net off the inside of the post. Rutherglen Glencairn: Hutchison, Hall, Fraser, Donaldson (Docherty), McGregor, McGuire (Salah), McNab, Marshall, Team (McArdle), Hamilton, McKay.