Rhu Amateurs Saturday morning squad lose to Cambuslang FA

Jamie Kjorstad’s squad were hopeful of bouncing back on their return to Glasgow Colleges FA league action after the previous week’s cup defeat to Pollok United – but instead a lacklustre display left the Rhu lads empty-handed in the Toryglen sunshine.

Once again changes had to made to the squad due to a number of notable absentees, but nevertheless the management team believed the lads that had to be brought in would suffice. 

However, the visitors found themselves 1-0 down after just three minutes thanks to a dubious goal for Cambuslang, with the Rhu defence, as one, claiming offside but the match official waving play on despite, in Rhu’s opinion, being poorly positioned to make the call.

Despite this early blow, the Rhu lads tried to get themselves into the game but were unable to trouble the home keeper – and more misery was to befall them just before the break when a loose pass in defence was intercepted which allowed the host striker to run in on goal unchallenged to slip the ball past Winslow in goal. 

If losing a goal so late on in the first half was hard to take, losing a third just a few minutes into the second half was a devastating blow; more slack play, this time on the touchline, led the ball falling to a Camby player, who slid a delightful pass through the defence to the striker who coolly side footed the ball into the net. 

Despite a series of second-half substitutions the Rhu boys just couldn’t find their rhythm and struggled to put pressure on the home defence; front man Dale Walker had a few chances come his way, but unfortunately the keeper was in a position to deal with them all.

Deep into injury time, and with the game all over as a contest, Rhu did finally get a consolation goal when Walker got on the end of a Winslow clearance and this time his shot found the net. 

Manager Kjorstad was a frustrated man at the end of the game, saying: “It was a very scrappy affair; despite losing three goals, our keeper only had one shot to save, whereas their lad had half a dozen. Sadly all of them were straight down his throat. 

“We have a free week on Saturday, so an arranged friendly will hopefully allow us to work on some of the points we noticed were missing today.”

Squad: Winslow, Livingstone, Caldow, Adams, Scullion, Young, Beaton, Court, Fleming, Molloy, Walker, Connaghan, Campbell, Donaldson, Dawson.

Meanwhile, a day to forget – on the pitch at least – for Rhu was completed when Gordon Brodie’s Caledonian League squad saw their run of three straight league wins ended in emphatic fashion by a 6-0 defeat away to second-top Westerlands. 

Like their Saturday morning counterparts, Brodie’s men have no league match scheduled for this weekend.

There was, however, a silver lining off the park for the club on Saturday after a hugely successful race night fundraiser at Rhu and Shandon Hall on Saturday.

A club spokesperson said: “The committee, players, coaches and president Alistair McKenzie would like to thank everyone that supported, attended, bought horses and sponsored races.

“It was by far the most successful night we’ve had to date, and it wouldn’t be possible without all your support.

“For a club like ours that’s been in existence for more than 125 years it’s the support from our loyal fans and the community that makes what the boys do on the park possible.”

Singled out for thanks were John Fraser of DCF, the Helensburgh and District branch of Enable, SKW Joinery, Cardross Pharmacy, GSS, the Rhu Inn and the ‘Rhu Grannies’ for sponsoring races, as well as Hodgie and Mrs Hodgie for organising a great night.