Saturday’s opponents Milanda always make it difficult for Renfrew and this match was to be no different. Played on a difficult pitch at Stepford the hosts bossed the opening stages of the match despite Renfrew having the wind at their backs.
Midway through the half Milanda deservedly took the lead against a lacklustre Renfrew as good play on the right hand side saw the ball fired across goal where a Milanda player finished the move off. The setback didn’t provide the wake-up call Renfrew needed and Milanda were given the perfect opportunity to double their lead when the referee somehow spotted an infringement by Renfrew’s goalie Irvine. Much to the Town’s relief the penalty was blasted high wide and not so handsome.
Asked to dig deep during the half time team talk and with a couple of tactical changes the Town responded in the perfect manner. After a brilliant challenge by Chris Craig the ball was worked to Burky who crossed for the onrushing Falconer to side foot into the bottom left corner leaving the keeper no chance 1-1. The Toon were by now transformed from the 1st half showing and were taking the game to Milanda. Falconer had as good a penalty shout as you will see this season turned down as the ref instead awarded a free kick as Renfrew piled on the pressure. An RT corner was only partially cleared and McLeish chased down the loose ball and immediately swung in a cross where Colin Salisbury beat the offside trap before controlling the ball on his chest and crashing a shot past the keeper from 12 yards for his 1st of the season. 2-1 Renfrew. Falconer should have added a third when put through on goal by substitute Ramsay but he wasted the chance and the keeper made an easy save.

Milanda were not out of it and pressed late on for an equaliser as they launched in the high balls. The Renfrew rearguard stood firm though and Irvine in the Renfrew goal claimed every high ball that came his way. Full time 2-1. A hard fought victory sees the Town maintain their perfect start to the season. They will certainly play better than they did in this match but the win and 3 points is all that mattered today.