Reportage by Phil
As the guy from that great Honda advert once said, “Isn’t it nice when things just…work?” It certainly is Mr Honda Man, and Renwick can testify to that this week, after putting on what was probably one of, if not the best ever performance at Ozone to see off Union Theological College 2-0. Renwick went into the game hungry for a victory after two successive league defeats, and put on a fantastic display in what would have been a great match for any supporters who weren’t busy preparing Thanksgiving Dinner back in the Renwick kitchen to watch. The selection problems of last week were not an issue this week, and we were able to put out what is close to our best eleven. Steve McCollum made a welcome return to centre back to give organisation and experience in defence, as well as the odd bit of abuse to the professional referee! Ian Buchanan and Conor Hyndman started upfront, and Simon also returned on the left and had an excellent day down the flank.
The game started at a high tempo and, like last week, both teams began creating chances early on. The first fell to Union, who went on the attack and had a shot smash off the bar. Then at the other end some good work in the middle by Mark and Andy McKelvey – both of whom were outstanding all day – gave Conor the ball on the edge of the box, and he played a great pass into Phil, who had a shot saved by the keeper. Union looked a well organised team, and they have a good record in the league so far this season. They didn’t have too many clear cut chances, however. Most of their shots came from long balls played straight to what looked like a lone striker, and didn’t give Joel too much trouble. It was Renwick who were playing the football, and great football it was too. Andy Lynch once again benefited from having Simon in front of him, and the pair wreaked havoc down the flank: one attack led to the keeper coming way off his line and spilling it, allowing Simon to attempt a lob that went just over the bar. It was definitely a good day to be a winger. Phil was also put through again at one point, but his cut-back found no one waiting in the box. Union looked rattled at the back and Renwick sensed a goal was not far away. It came with about fifteen minutes left in the first half, when Mark once again won it in the air and played it to Conor, on the edge of the box out on the right. Conor held it and then played it through to Ian Buchanan, who controlled it and then hit an absolutely brilliant shot off the outside of his right foot that curled just inside the top left corner of the net. It really was a sweet shot, and got Ian off the mark in the league (apart from the five he scored against Bloomfield…!). It was also a great time for us to score, and reflected the fact that all over the pitch we were working hard and linking well as a team. Union stepped it up slightly before the half but didn’t equalise, despite putting us under pressure once or twice at the back.
There wasn’t much to say at half time except to go out and give a repeat performance in the second forty-five. Nevertheless the manager indulged in some needless talk of seeing the game as three thirds and to play strong in the middle third. Who really knows what that was about…
Union brought the game to Renwick in the second half, clearly annoyed to have fallen behind. For the first fifteen minutes or so they were certainly looking dangerous, getting in between our defence and midfield and forcing chances. To the credit of our back five, and our central midfielders, we weathered the storm, and began threatening upfront again. Mark and Andy were still winning anything that came their way in the middle, and this allowed Phil and Simon to make runs to the corners and link up with the front men. Conor and Ian did a great job of holding up the ball to allow the midfield to come forward, and it soon looked like we might score again. When we did, it was a great team goal. Mark won it in the middle and played it to Conor, who knocked it into the corner for Phil to cross. Phil hit it right across the box, and Ian met it perfectly on the volley for his second goal of the game. Again, it was a great time to score.
We didn’t exactly sit back and defend our lead at this point, but Union certainly didn’t give up, and attacked with renewed vigour. Ian Dunwoody and Johnny McCollum both did superbly at the back, reading the runs of the forwards and clearing the ball away. Renwick couldn’t find a third, despite shots from Andy McKelvey, Conor and Phil, but were still a threat going forward. We forced a corner and played some dangerous passes but couldn’t finish our moves off. Union fought right to the end, but, with Joel going down for any loose balls in the box, we held out for one our greatest ever victories. Union were a good side, and perhaps should have taken one of their chances at least, but the defence did enough to keep them out and get a clean sheet (our second ever – the first was also against Union).
Everyone in a Renwick shirt gave 100% and it really was a great match, which makes the victory even more deserved. The team will now look to repeat their performance in the second half of their league campaign. Well played lads!
Team (4-4-2): J.Loughridge – J.McCollum (for G,Hughes – who gave blood hours before kick off but didn’t faint, yo!), I.Dunwoody (c) (for P.McConaghie), S.McCollum, A.Lynch – P.Dunwoody, M.McCavery, A.McKelvey, S.Curry (for B.McAuley) – C.Hyndman, I.Buchanan
Photos courtesy Bob P, who seems to have focused mainly on P10, but could you blame him?!
It’s nearly that time of year for O Come All Ye Faith-Phil (though not for readers of Puritanism Today)
Run Jonny Run! (It is Jonny this time, right?)
Skills
The referee’s last action was to turn round and see McKelvo looking at him…
Still laughing at injuries
The other Renwick players are only there to keep him company
Conor gazes in awe
