Maryhill beaten by Renfrew in first match as senior club

It took the hosts just six minutes to open the scoring. Hill keeper Mark McRoberts decided not to come for the ball which allowed David McKenna in to roll the ball into the net.

The indecision in the away side’s defence continued with Renfrew coming close with a couple of efforts but neither was able to find the target.

Hill midfielder Ryan Wallace caused some problems for the home defence and he was cleaned out by Aboubacar Karamoko who was lucky not to pick up a yellow card.

McRoberts was called into action again before half time when he had to dive low to his right to push away a volley as the first half drew to a close.

The Maryhill keeper then made a great save early in the second half, pushing a shot onto the post before Scott Morton somehow fired the rebound over the bar. Former Hill left back Reece McGillion then forced McRoberts into another save from a free kick while Jay McInally shot over at the other end.

Then came a five-minute spell where two controversial refereeing decisions prevented Maryhill from finding a way back into the game.

First, Renfrew keeper Danny McLeay came out of his box to block Jack Easdon’s effort with his hands, but he was only shown a yellow card, before Karamoko clattered into Brian Ashe as the forward pulled the trigger. Despite the clear sound of contact and claims from the Maryhill bench, the referee pointed for a corner rather than to the penalty spot.

Renfrew doubled their lead with 13 minutes remaining when Ciaran Diver scuffed a shot up and over Roberts after a cross from the right from Karamoko.

The impressive Craig Stevenson and Wallace then both saw efforts miss the target before the home side wrapped up the points in stoppage time, Diver on hand to tap home at the back post as Renfrew continued their unbeaten start to the campaign.

This Saturday Hill are at home to Annbank United.