McBookie Premiership

RENFREW 2

BEITH JUNORS 4

BEITH did enough to merit the points at New Western Park, but a difficult game on the artificial surface saw them having to muddle through an uncomfortable last half hour after their dominance slipped away in the second half.

The visitors started positively and threatened to score before they took the lead after five minutes.

Keir Milliken was the provider, making space for himself on the left to deliver an inviting cross for Darren Christie to shoot home confidently from six yards.

Frew keeper Burgess did his part to keep his side in the match as one way traffic continued but he could do little when Christie doubled Beith’s lead after 17 minutes when he shot into the far corner after a Paul Frize blocked effort fell into his path. Things looked all to easy for Beith with Renfrew struggling to cope with the steady pressure when they added a third from another corner, when David McGowan headed home at the near post.

Renfrew had been defending constantly but a comical blunder allowed them back into the match on the half hour with virtually their first effort on goal. There appeared no danger when a ball was thrown forward but Ryan Docherty and Connor McGlinchey got into a tangle clearing and ended up presenting ex-Beith striker David McKenna with gift of a tap in past Grindlay.

Beith finished the half back on the offensive but the hosts somehow managed to get in for the break still in touch at 3-1 down.

John Middleton replaced a limping Darren Christie for the second half and initially the reshuffle seemed to have little impact as Beith quickly increased their lead when a Milliken pass gave Paul Frize the opportunity to blaze a powerful left foot shot past Burgess.

From this point on the contest became increasingly scrappy with Beith losing their shape and fluency. Renfrew also seemed to find some confidence and they pulled a goal back on the hour when Jamie Benton picked up possession on the edge of the box and sent a fine curling shot past Grindlay into the bottom corner.

Beith were now struggling to clear their lines and they had a real scare when a Kieran Healy free kick, fired into a crowded box, smacked off the post. However the task for Renfrew was much too great and Beith managed to negotiate the remainder without further damage.

RENFREW FC: Burgess; Wylie, MacLennan, Henry, McGillon, Chisholm, Borris, Benton, McKenna, Healy, Hardie. Subs: O’Keefe, Dallas, McIntosh, Quigley, McLeay.

BEITH: Grindlay; McGlinchey, Noble, R Docherty, N Docherty, Wilson, Christie, Frize, Milliken, Collins, McGowan. Subs: Haggarty, Middleton, McLean, MacDonald, Green.