Cup hopes disappear as United fail to take chances

Cumbernauld United 1 Renfrew 3

D&D Magazines Central League Cup, second round

AN entertaining match was served up by both sides and again United failed to capitalise on chances that possibly could have seen them go into the hat for the next round, but to be fair Renfrew took their chances and fully deserved their win.

Both sides started well playing good open football that was pleasing to watch. United possibly just had the edge and should have gone ahead after 29 minutes when Gary McClymont from a Watts cut back just failed to connect with the ball properly and his shot just went past Bell’s right hand post.

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Gary then had a tremendous effort blocked by keeper Bell two minutes later. United were putting the visitors defence under pressure now and on 33 minutes Kevin Watts, with a header, cut the ball back to McClymont and with the goal at his mercy, headed over. That could and should have put United one ahead.

The inevitable happened when straight from the goal kick the ball found Fulton in the clear and he proceeded to poke the ball past keeper Buchanan to give Renfrew a half time lead.

Renfrew came out for the second half attacking the United goal. Although United thwarted the visitors efforts to get on top they were beginning to make too many basic errors.

They gathered themselves together again and after 61 minutes after being awarded a free kick when Paul Thompson was fouled, John Renwick found Andy Dearie with his freekick and Andy headed home in a crowded box to equalise. Kevin Watts was unlucky minutes later when an effort from him was blocked and held by keeper Bell on the goal line.

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However, after 70 minutes Frews Fulton netted, breaking through the home defence to put his side 2-1 ahead and at this stage it looked all over for United.

Nine minutes later McLean of Renfrew was on the spot to net number three after United keeper Buchanan failed to hold an effort from Fulton and he sealed the tie for the visitors.

So it’s league football for United from now on and new coach Ian Currie along with junior Gibson can now hopefully plan and guide United out of the bottom relegation zone of the league with the unquestionable commitment of their squad of players.

This Saturday it’s a home league game against Annbank. United earlier in the season won 6-0 against them in the league so another three points would be a boost to start the climb up the table.

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CUMBERNAULD UNITED: Buchanan, Mushet, Morrison, Marsh, Dearie, Renwick, Allan, Thompson, Watts, Phee, McClymont. Subs: Jarvis, Brown, McNally, Barclay, Hayman, Gibson.

RENFREW: Bell, Dickie, Gordon, Cuprir, Hammond, Cameron, Forbes, Mort, McLean, Fulton, Rankin. Subs: Prentice, Shearer, Smith, Nicolson, Maxwell, Gordon, Wilson.