The Ants chances of qualifying from the sectional league cup group 7 took what looks like a fatal blow as Renfrew boosted their own chances with a 4-0 victory at McKenna Park. Both sides had got off to winning starts with 1-0 victories, the Ants against Greenock and Renfrew against Port Glasgow and the winner of the tie would be favourites to advance. Renfrew took the lead in the 13th minute when DARREN JONES fired the visitors infront at the back post.
The Ants looked to get back into the game and Nicholson stung the palms of McLeay with a drive from just outside the box, then McLaughlin had an effort from distance but the shot was straight at the visiting keeper. Both sides cancelled each other out in the midfield for large portions of the first half with half chances for both sides but it was Renfrew who went in a goal to the good at the break.
The start of the second half saw The Ants have their best spell of the match as they pushed for an equaliser with a couple of half chances, Ball failed to connect properly with a ball to the back post and the chance was gone, then McLaughlin had an effort go past the post. The Ants team captain then almost set up the equaliser when his free kick was inches away from the head of McKnight but the Ants striker couldn’t get on the end of it. As the game wore on Renfrew started to turn the screw and it was backs against the wall for the Ants after 72 minutes when former Ants player KIERON MAXWELL was played through on goal, he rounded McCallum and slotted home to make it 2-0 to the visitors.
That goal seemed to knock the stuffing out the Ants and they had McCallum to thank for keeping the scoreline down with a number of good saves including a stunning save from a header when a goal looked inevitable however he could do nothing when CRAIG DALLAS made it 3-0 to the visitors with a fine finish. Five minutes before the end it was 4-0 when another old Ants player THOMAS MILLER rose at the edge of the box to head home from a corner although the Ants defenders on the line may feel they could have done better as the ball somehow ended up in the back of the net.
A tough result for the Ants who matched the Premiership side for a large portion of the match and they can be pleased with the work rate and effort they put into the game but Renfrew’s quality eventually shone through and they ran out deserved winners.
Ants Website Man of the Match –
