Leaders Renfrew spoil McGinty's bow as Rossvale lose to first minute strike

Rossvale were caught napping as a first minute goal proved enough for leaders Renfrew to open up a six point gap at the top of the table.
Fraser team can't find a way through the Renfrew defence as Rossvale team-mate Ross Hepburn looks onFraser team can't find a way through the Renfrew defence as Rossvale team-mate Ross Hepburn looks on
Fraser team can't find a way through the Renfrew defence as Rossvale team-mate Ross Hepburn looks on

The Bishopbriggs side went into new manager Brian McGInty’s first game in charge hoping to draw level with their Central Division 1 title rivals who have played two games more.

But they were behind with less than a minute on the clock.

A Darren Jones cross wasn’t cleared properly by the ’Vale defence and the ball broke back to the Renfrew man who evaded one challenge and, from the corner of the six-yard box, placed the ball well outside the reach of Rossvale ’keeper Jon Connolly.

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Rossvale managed to steady themselves following the early setback and created a couple of opportunities around the 10 minute mark.

Firstly Ross Hepburn tried to get on the end of a Joe Bradley cross but he was at full stretch and his effort squirmed high and wide.

A long Connolly clearance was then misjudged by the Renfrew backline and Fraser Team found himself bearing down on Renfrew ’keeper Dale Burgess but his lob bounced harmlessly wide.

From the start of the second half Rossvale appeared to be the team who would score the next goal, substitute Kirk Forbes almost catching out Burgess with his first touch.

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Cries of derision erupted from the Rossvale supporters when the referee didn’t award a spot kick for a clumsy challenge into the back of Team just as he was about to pull the trigger just before the midway point of the second half.

Similar to the first period, clear goalscoring opportunities were few and far between with Rossvale doing a lot of huffing and puffing but lacking that little bit of composure or quality to break down the stubborn Renfrew defence.

New manager McGinty will be disappointed with the result.

But with those two games in hand over Renfrew and a superior goal difference he will be thankful that Rossvale still have aspirations of a second successive promotion in their own hands.