Renfrew co-manager Colin Clark claimed there wasn’t a failure in his side as they secured their first Premiership win of the season with an emphatic 5-1 win over Irvine Meadow XI. 

Richard Henry, Thomas Miller and Jason Hardie had the Frew comfortably ahead at the break before Ricki McIntosh and David McKenna added second half goals. 

Graham Boyd scored from the penalty spot fifteen minutes from time for the visitors, but it was no more than a consolation as both sides finished the match with 10 men. 

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The home side controlled from the off and were quickly ahead. 

Henry got his name on the score sheet after just 13 minutes and would also have a part to play in Renfrew’s second goal of the game 15 minutes later. 

He was fouled on the edge of the box, and Miller drilled the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards. 

Renfrew would have their third five minutes later with Hardie, who only joined from Petershill during the week, scoring on his debut, although there may have been a touch from a Meadow defender on the way in. 

The hosts started the second half the way they left off in the first as McIntosh scored early on, and McKenna then pounced on poor defending at the back with a clinical finish to make it five. 

There was still time for more action as Boyd pulled one back from the penalty spot before Miller was shown a straight red card. 

The Gazette:

Martin Ferry (left) and Colin Clark had plenty to be happy about 

He was joined by co-manager Martin Ferry and coach David Gordon who were sent off for their protests. 

In the closing stages, Colin Spence was dismissed for the visitors after being shown a second yellow card. 

Renfrew moved off the bottom of the Premiership with the victory and Clark was delighted to see everything come together. 

He said: “All aspects of the performance were positive. We scored goals, defended properly, got the rub of the green with a few things and got away with a couple of things. 

“It all came together. 

“You have to be happy with the manner of victory. Scoring five and only conceding one makes for good reading. 

“Last week I thought we were very good but defended poorly. That was the difference this week. 

“We went 1-0 ahead for the first time this season which was important and it gave us something to hold on to, rather than chasing the game. 

“There wasn’t a failure for us. We gave the defence a hard time after last week but they responded well after that.” 

Renfrew now travel to Largs Thistle on Saturday, a side who they were promoted with last season. 

Results last season favoured the Frew with a 3-1 victory and 1-1 draw, but with Largs starting well this season, Clark knows it will be a difficult task. 

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He added: “We’ve got to keep focused on moving in the right direction. 

“Largs have started well so they’ll be looking forward to it. 

“It’s a team we’ve done well against in recent years but we’ll need to turn up and work hard for it.”