Docherty downs ex-club
Peter Ferguson at New Western Park
It was a poor start to the league season for Glencairn as striker Jamie Docherty hit a hat-trick to heap misery on his former club.
Despite a very positive opening half hour and taking the lead, defensive deficiencies came back to haunt The Glens as the home side came from behind to claim all three points.
Willie Harvey made three changes to the team who lost to Cambuslang. Gary Smith returned up front to partner Jay McKay, and Stewart Hall was preferred on the right of midfield to Del McNab. Andy Neil felt a twinge in his knee during the warm up and was left out as a precaution with Tony Fraser called in.
The match started quietly with both teams battling for midfield possession but it burst into life in the seventh minute as The Glens took the lead. Jamie Hamilton released Jay McKay on the right flank, and he swung over a perfect low cross for Gary Smith who did not need to break stride as he fired past home keeper Danny McLeay.
Smith almost doubled his tally in the 12th minute as he curled a free kick inches wide of the post. But instead of Glencairn being two goals ahead, a minute later it was 1-1. A harmless looking long ball went straight to defender Craig McGregor, who tried to head the ball back to goalkeeper Jack Baker. However, McGregor succeeded only in nodding the ball straight to Jamie Docherty who had time to control the ball and roll it into the net.
Glencairn almost responded immediately as McKay blocked an attempted kick out by McLeay and hit the side netting from a tight angle.
Smith then saw his overhead kick tipped over the bar.
The disjointed nature of Glencairn’s second half play was summed up by the start of the move which led to Renfrew taking the lead. Njabulo Ndlovu was caught in possession and Glencairn failed to get the ball back before Quinn’s cross from the left was met by the glancing header of Docherty.
Renfrew ended any doubts about the destination of the points in the 85th minute. A simple free kick cross from the left found its way to the free head of Docherty who nodded past Baker.