Zok not getting ahead of himself after Ford draw
RENFREW hitman Chris Zok is refusing to get carried away after watching his team go close to taking the scalp of Super Premier big guns Hurlford United on Saturday.
The two sides came together for a keenly-contested New Western Park 1-1 draw, which saw a late John Gemmell headed equaliser prevent the Frew recording a morale-boosting victory in their latest friendly.
Yet a contented Zok – who netted the game’s opening goal – played down talk of his side proving their battle-readiness for the new Junior season.
He said: “Today was a bit more like ourselves and I put that down to the return of Anton Heffron and Stewart McDonald helping to stiffen the backbone of the team and make us difficult to break down.
“Neither can we ignore that there was a more familiar look about our line-up with fewer trialists than previous outings as we’ve struggled to create openings while guys have been finding their feet.
“Our overall play was better today, but you have to take into account that we’re a bit ahead of the Hurlford players in terms of preparations. It was a step in the right direction.”
Renfrew’s goal came from a well-worked move that saw a long kick upfield touched by Zok into the path of striking partner Gary McGarroch.
He held the ball before cleverly playing in overlapping full-back Fraser Barbour whose cross from almost on the byeline found Zok rising at the far post to head high into the net.
The forward added: “Gary’s return is a timely one given Alain Kinney’s long-term injury and when fit he has the control and strength to make himself a handful for defences.
“He gave us an hour today before making way for Scott Morton and with Darren Jones to come back into the mix from injury, we are not too badly off for forward line options .”
Another eight Super First Division wannabes were in friendly action with Shettleston racking up the most resounding outcome as goals from Ryan McStay, Ryan Scott, Rikky McIntosh (2) and player-boss Peter Weatherstone (2) saw the Town run out 6-0 winners over Forth Wanderers.
Alan Vezza and Stevie Young were on target in Clydebank’s 2-0 defeat of Greenock and there were goals aplenty at Hannah Park where Shotts Bon Accord raced into a 4-0 lead against Cambuslang Rangers through goals from Danny Burns, Kris Russell, Dean Sutherland and Ally Martin (pen) but had to hold on after the Wee Gers roared back with strikes from Bob Davidson (2) and Jamie McLeod.
New-look Irvine Meadow twice came from a goal behind – Ian Seymour and Greg Vernon were on the scoresheet – for a 2-2 draw with Dundee Violet.
Not so fortunate were Yoker Athletic, narrowly beaten 1-0 away to Arthurlie for whom Gary Smith was on the mark while Maryhill lost out 2-1 to Colin Spence and Adam Forsyth goals for Troon at Portland Park and a much heavier defeat was suffered by Kilsyth Rangers in going down 7-2 at home to Linlithgow Rose.
And striker David Adams giving newly-promoted Irvine Vics a 1-0 lead at home to Glasgow Perthshire only sparked the visitors into a threegoal response from Scott Forrester, Craig Smith and Bradley Rodden that culminated in a 3-2 victory for the Shire after Paul Young netted a second for the Vics.
ELSEWHERE, Beith’s impressive pre-season form continued as Kenny McLean, Div McGowan and Cami Elliot shared the honours in a 3-1 triumph at Tranent and Ashfield emerged 2-0 to the good against West Park U21s through Michael Giblin and Chris Moulangou strikes, while Rob Roy had Chris Duff and Willie Sawyers scores to thank for a 2-0 defeat of Haddington Athletic.
In the more prestigious preseason tournaments, Bonnyrigg Rose were winners of the Glenafton-staged Joe Meldrum Cup after scoring 12 goals without reply in games against the hosts and Vale of Clyde, while Shildon from County Durham took the Robbie Glen silverware with a 3-0 victory over Kilbirnie Ladeside in yesterday’s final.
Earlier in the day , Paddy Cullen bagged a hat trick as Rutherglen Glencairn recovered from 0-2 down to beat Wishaw 3-2 in the third place play-off.
Pollok v Rossvale, Benburb v St Mirren U20s. Clydesdale cup semi final: Lanark Utd v Carluke Rovers.