Renfrew FC secured promotion after a 4-2 win over Johnstone Burgh F.C. in the final WoSFL Premier League match of the season at New Western Park.
Johnstone Burgh interim manager Graeme Ramage made three changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Auchinleck Talbot at Beechwood Park on Monday night. Out went Luke Scullion, Kian Gilday and Aaron Mason, with Evan Currie, Ross MacKinnon and Jude Cummins coming into the starting XI.
The Burgh had a great chance to open the scoring inside two minutes. Blair Rossiter whipped in a corner from the left-hand side which found Lewis King, but his header from eight yards flashed just wide of the right-hand post.
A minute later, Renfrew had a big chance of their own. The ball was cut back to Aiden Malcolm, but his low right-foot shot from 10 yards went just wide.
The home side made the better start and created another chance in the 12th minute. Alan Cook delivered a dangerous free-kick from the right which found Kieran Healy, but he headed just wide from six yards.
The Frew were awarded a penalty in the 13th minute when Kieran Healy’s shot from a tight angle struck the hand of Malky McDonald. Aiden Malcolm stepped up and fired into the right-hand side of the net for his 20th goal of the season.
Photo: Renfrew striker Aiden Malcolm sends Evan Currie the wrong way to score from the penalty spot during the 4-2 win over Johnstone Burgh at New Western Park
Photo Credit: Mitch Allen / Johnstone Burgh
It had been a slow start from the Burgh, but they levelled in spectacular fashion in the 22nd minute. Broque Watson found space in the middle of the park before unleashing a stunning right-foot strike from 30 yards into the top-left corner, giving Renfrew goalkeeper Danny McLeay no chance.
Renfrew nearly restored their lead on the half-hour mark when Malcolm turned well and smashed a shot against the right-hand post from eight yards.
The home side continued to push forward and almost scored again in the 32nd minute. Scott Morton played a lovely pass through to Malcolm, who lobbed Evan Currie, but Matty Grant cleared the ball off the line.
Renfrew’s pressure paid off in the 35th minute. Chris Mahon delivered a cross from the right and Scott Morton diverted the ball home from close range.
The hosts added a third four minutes later. Following a corner, the ball fell to Gregor Wylie, who forced it over the line from a yard out.
Renfrew went into the break leading 3-1.
The Burgh started the second half positively. Jude Cummins found space outside the box in the 50th minute, but his effort went over the bar.
Matty Grant then had a clear sight of goal four minutes later, but his low shot from 20 yards was saved by McLeay.
Renfrew continued to threaten and Alan Cook forced a save from Currie in the 55th minute after a strong run into the box.
Chris Mahon then tested Currie again in the 59th minute before the Burgh keeper denied Malcolm from close range in the 64th minute.
The fourth goal finally arrived a minute later. Alan Cook’s corner was flicked on by Ben Harwood and Kieran Healy headed home from close range.
Johnstone Burgh almost pulled one back in the 75th minute when Watson raced through on goal, but McLeay produced another good save.
The visitors did grab a second goal in the 78th minute. Ian McShane’s corner from the right found Lewis King, who headed high into the net from six yards.
Aiden Gilmartin had the Burgh’s final chance in the 86th minute after being picked out by Watson, but his shot from a tight angle was saved by McLeay.
There was no further scoring as Renfrew sealed promotion with a 4-2 victory.
The result means Johnstone Burgh finish the season sixth in the table on 44 points from 30 matches, while Renfrew end the campaign 10th on 42 points.
Renfrew FC goals: Aiden Malcolm (pen) 14, Scott Morton 35, Gregor Wylie 39, Kieran Healy 65
Johnstone Burgh goals: Broque Watson 22, Lewis King 78
Renfrew FC starting XI: McLeay, Cameron, Cook, McCallum, Healy (Kerr 76), Fyfe, Wylie, Ferguson (Mullen 70), Morton (Harwood 63), Malcolm (McCrystal 82), Mahon (Innes 79).
Johnstone Burgh starting XI: Currie, Grant (Sharp 70), MacKinnon (Esplin 46), King, Forrester, Faulds, Cummins (MacAuley 70), McDonald (C) (McShane 46), Gilmartin, Rossiter (MacKenzie 63), Watson.
WoSFL Premier Division results, last match day:
- Cumnock Juniors 2-4 Rutherglen Glencairn
- Drumchapel United 4-2 Glenafton Athletic
- Hurlford United 1-2 Beith Juniors
- Kilwinning Rangers 1-2 Largs Thistle
- Pollok 9-1 St Cadoc’s
- Renfrew FC 4-2 Johnstone Burgh
- Shotts Bon Accord 2-4 Auchinleck Talbot
- Troon 1-1 Arthurlie
Final WoSFL Premier Division table:
WoSFL Premier Division results
| Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Cumnock Juniors | 2-4 | Rutherglen Glencairn |
| Drumchapel United | 4-2 | Glenafton Athletic |
| Hurlford United | 1-2 | Beith Juniors |
| Kilwinning Rangers | 1-2 | Largs Thistle |
| Pollok | 9-1 | St Cadoc’s |
| Renfrew FC | 4-2 | Johnstone Burgh |
| Shotts Bon Accord | 2-4 | Auchinleck Talbot |
| Troon | 1-1 | Arthurlie |
Final WoSFL Premier Division table:
| # | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auchinleck Talbot | 30 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 80 | 27 | 53 | 70 |
| 2 | Cumnock Juniors | 30 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 58 | 29 | 29 | 64 |
| 3 | Troon | 30 | 19 | 5 | 6 | 59 | 36 | 23 | 62 |
| 4 | Pollok | 30 | 15 | 2 | 13 | 51 | 42 | 9 | 47 |
| 5 | Largs Thistle | 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 55 | 41 | 14 | 46 |
| 6 | Johnstone Burgh | 30 | 14 | 2 | 14 | 52 | 51 | 1 | 44 |
| 7 | Kilwinning Rangers | 30 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 61 | 53 | 8 | 43 |
| 8 | Arthurlie | 30 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 71 | 64 | 7 | 43 |
| 9 | Hurlford United | 30 | 14 | 1 | 15 | 52 | 55 | -3 | 43 |
| 10 | Renfrew FC | 30 | 13 | 3 | 14 | 56 | 53 | 3 | 42 |
| 11 | Beith Juniors | 30 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 42 | 48 | -6 | 40 |
| 12 | Drumchapel United | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 54 | 65 | -11 | 39 |
| 13 | Glenafton Athletic | 30 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 41 | 67 | -26 | 36 |
| 14 | Shotts Bon Accord | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 47 | 53 | -6 | 30 |
| 15 | Rutherglen Glencairn | 30 | 9 | 2 | 19 | 37 | 63 | -26 | 29 |
| 16 | St Cadoc’s | 30 | 2 | 3 | 25 | 25 | 94 | -69 | 9 |
Auchinleck Talbot, Beith Juniors, Cumnock Juniors, Johnstone Burgh, Kilwinning Rangers, Largs Thistle, Pollok, Renfrew and Troon will all play in the new Lowland League West next season.