Young guns’scoring spree ends in a gr-eight result
Under 21s book their place in Golden Goals Cup quarter final
Crig Ritchie
Renfrew U21s progressed to the last eight of the Golden Goals Cup at New Western Park, with one of their best performances of the season.
Right from the first whistle, Renfrew were at the opposition probing for a breakthrough. And it wasn’t long before a cute flick allowed Iain Sharp to ghost beyond the Pollok defence before coolly dinking the ball over the keeper from just inside the box.
This settled Renfrew, who then went on a scoring spree when Darren Marshall, back in the team after injury, confidently slotted home the second from the penalty spot after Matty McCabe was pulled down.
Not to be outdone, McCabe then got in on the scoring act when he slotted home the third from 10 yards.
Pollok hit back with a superb freekick into the top corner from 25 yards, giving them hope of a comeback, however, this was short lived as Kieran Brady thundered a header high into the roof of the net from a delightful Kieran McAllister free kick.
The second half kicked off and immediately a through ball was allowed to slip through the Renfrew defence, allowing the Pollok striker to tuck the ball home.
Almost straight from kick-off, there was further trouble for Renfrew when the Pollok striker broke clear on a oneon-one with the keeper, however, a great save from Kyle Pirie saved the day.
This was to prove a turning point as minutes later a free- kick from McAllister was parried by the Pollok keeper, however, Myer McKinnon showed his striker instincts as he reacted quickest to fire the ball home and restore Renfrew’s three-goal lead.
The sixth goal followed shortly when, at the end of a great passage of play, Sharp released Marriott on the left.
He cut in before releasing the ball across the edge of the 18-yard line to the arriving Jamie Sidebotham, who created some space before firing the ball low and hard into the Pollok net.
Renfrew then introduced three subs, Kyle Black, Kieran McAllister and Lee McDonagh to replace McCabe, Gibbons and Marshall.
Renfrew continued to dominate and a short corner from Sharp to Black allowed a great ball to the back post where Stuart Fyfe arrived to head home.
The icing on the cake was a great long ball from Pirie over the Pollok defence, which allowed Marriott to race clear and a delightful touch let him pull the ball down before finishing in style with a low-drive into the bottom corner of the net.
It was a great team performance, with everyone contributing to the win and a place in the quarter finals.
Team: Pirie, McCallister, Gibbons, McCabe, McKinnon, Sharp, Marriott, Fyfe, Marshall, Brady, Sidebotham. Subs: Dougan, McDonagh, Black, McGuire and Townsley.
Renfrew’s next game is Saturday, December 9, at the Renfrew Leisure Centre against Antonine in the Pemier League. Kick off, 3pm.