ADAM SHARKEY’S early goal was scant reward for a Rhu Amateurs side who were forced to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw away to FC Dal Riata on Saturday – despite dominating for long spells against their Lanarkshire hosts and having three efforts disallowed for offside.

Rhu made a bright start, playing some great free-flowing passing football in the early stages, and got their reward when Lewis Grant chipped the ball through and Sharkey lifted it over the keeper for the opener after 10 minutes.

Ali Maule thought he’d added a second when he tapped in the rebound after a Sharkey shot was saved, only for the referee to rule the goal offside – and the same fate befell David Holborn after he volleyed home Brian Cameron’s through ball.

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The hosts’ centre-half headed an equaliser right at the end of the first half, and despite Rhu taking charge of the second half in the same way as the first, and seeing a third goal disallowed when Lee Dickson headed home a Holborn corner, the visitors were unable to conjure up a winner.

Squad: Brown, E. Bell, Cameron, Brodie, Black, Maule, Sharkey, Grant, Holborn, Smith, McKell, A. Bell, Dickson.

* Meanwhile, Rhu have hailed the continued support of major local employer Babcock International, who have sponsored the team’s new kit for the eighth consecutive year.

Gavin Leckie, the firm’s managing director at HM Naval Base Clyde, said: “Babcock is delighted to renew its sponsorship arrangement with Rhu Amateurs for an eighth year.

“We wish the team all the very best for the season.”

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Bobby Dunn from Rhu Amateurs said: “We would like to thank Babcock for their continued support of the club.”

Rhu put their league campaign aside this Saturday, October 19, when they travel to Ayrshire to face West Kilbride in the second round of the West of Scotland Cup. Kick-off is at 2pm.