JAMIE KJORSTAD says he’s delighted to see Rhu Amateurs’ Saturday morning team becoming a target for their league opponents after watching his charges extend their unbeaten start to the season to eight matches.

Rhu’s 3-1 win away to River Nevis on Saturday, which ended their hosts’ own undefeated start to the campaign, lifted Kjorstad’s men to third in the BOCA Championship table – and it was a result that was all the more impressive since Rhu had to come from behind to take the points.

Slow starts have been the Rhu team’s one Achilles heel so far this season, and they were again faced with the threat of trouble ahead when River Nevis took the lead with just two minutes on the clock.

It took Rhu a good 10 minutes to settle into the game; they had a chance to level the scoring when Jeffrey found himself one on one with the keeper, but his shot was saved. 

The Rhu lads were now beginning to dominate, but it was a touch of good fortune that allowed them back into the game when the River Nevis goalkeeper panicked under pressure from Molloy after receiving a pass from his team-mate, and his momentary hesitation was all the Rhu striker needed to nick the ball off the keeper’s toes and slot the equaliser into the net.

The scores remained level until half-time, but after the break Rhu seized the initiative and soon took the lead when Burch, running through from midfield, held off a couple of crude challenges to slip the ball in for the free-scoring Molloy who found the bottom corner of the net. 

After going in front Rhu went on to take total control of the game against a River Nevis side who seemed to lose focus, and the visitors went further ahead when Jeffrey netted from close range after some more good pressing from Molloy.

Reece Court almost extended the lead when a blistering 30- yard effort crashed off the bar with the keeper well beaten, and Rhu had more clear-cut chances in the closing stages, but were unable to convert them.

A justifiably proud Kjorstad said afterwards: “The lads have been excellent these past few weeks. Training has been good and there is a good buzz about the squad.

“Today showed that, with the determination to get back into the game after losing the early goal. 

“But we know we are becoming a target for the rest of the league as an unbeaten team so we will need to ensure we kept the good work ethic going.” 

Squad: Young, Court, Adams, Scullion, McKenna, Black, Kjorstad, Brown, Moy, Burch, Molloy, Jeffrey, Thomson, Bone, McConnell, Henry  

Meanwhile, Rhu’s Caledonian League team were hit by more than a touch of ring-rustiness on Saturday as they tumbled to a 2-1 defeat away to Cambria in their first match since the end of September.

This Saturday, October 26, the Rhu ‘Caley’ team are back on home turf against Gartcosh United. Kick-off at Ardenconnel Park is at 2pm.

After Saturday's match, Rhu are hosting a fund-raising quiz night at their Ardenconnel Park clubhouse. Doors open at 6pm and the quiz starts at 7pm.