Renfrew suffered their third defeat of the Scottish Lowland League West season as Celtic B left New Western Park with a 5-3 victory on Saturday.
The home side twice drew level during an eventful first half, but three Celtic B goals before the interval left Renfrew with too much to do.
Celtic B threatened immediately, with Renfrew goalkeeper David McLeay making a point-blank save inside the opening minute.
An early free-kick for the visitors then went past the post without troubling McLeay, while another Celtic opportunity saw Rhys Dargie strike the woodwork from a free-kick.
Renfrew began to find their way into the game. Dominic Innes got a shot away, but his effort was too close to Celtic goalkeeper Connelly Shaw.
The home side took the lead in the 17th minute. Good hold-up play from Ben Harwood created the opportunity for Olly Smith, who supplied the finish to put Renfrew 1-0 ahead.
Celtic B responded six minutes later when Colby Daly levelled from a few yards out after Renfrew failed to clear.
The visitors completed the turnaround in the 26th minute when Lewis Clearie scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-1.
Renfrew responded and were back on level terms in the 32nd minute. Good work on the right involving Harwood and Cameron Mahon ended with Sean Fyfe finishing low to make it 2-2.
Celtic B regained the lead four minutes later. Renfrew had chances to clear before Dargie struck from around 20 yards to put the visitors 3-2 ahead.
Daly grabbed his second of the afternoon in the 39th minute as Celtic B extended their advantage to 4-2.
There was another blow for Renfrew with the last action of the first half when Clearie was left with a free header from a corner and gave McLeay no chance, sending Celtic B into the break with a 5-2 lead.
Renfrew made two changes at half-time, with Josh Winton and Ryan Paterson replacing Innes and David McCallum.
Despite facing a three-goal deficit, the home side continued to look for a way back into the match.
Argyll McCoist went close as Renfrew pushed forward, while Celtic B goalkeeper Shaw produced a good save to deny Winton.
At the other end, McLeay was also called into action and denied Celtic B from adding a sixth.
Renfrew were given an opportunity to reduce the deficit when McCoist was fouled inside the penalty area.
Alan Cook stepped up and converted from the spot in the 62nd minute to make it 5-3.
Renfrew continued to create opportunities. Harwood had a shot on target after being played through by Cammy Kerr, but Shaw made the save.
McCoist was also involved as the home side continued looking for another goal before being replaced by Franco Stewart. Jack Haggerty later came on for Smith.
Renfrew continued pushing until the final whistle but could not find the two further goals required to complete the comeback.
The match finished Renfrew 3-5 Celtic B, with the players applauded by the home support at full-time.
The result leaves Renfrew 15th in the Scottish Lowland League West with one point from their opening four matches.
There were 384 supporters in attendance at New Western Park.
Renfrew are next in league action away to Troon on Wednesday 19th August at 7:45pm.
Results
| Auchinleck Talbot | 1 – 0 | Cumbernauld Colts |
| FT F. Galasso (90+1′) |
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| Beith Juniors | 2 – 4 | Caledonian Braves |
| FT Beith Juniors: M. Findlay (11′), L. Taylor (35′ pen) Caledonian Braves: R. McNeil (8′), D. Watson (45+1′), S. Thompson (51′), R. Mullen (64′) |
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| Clydebank | 3 – 2 | Troon |
| FT Clydebank: N. Low (39′ pen), N. McLaughlin (45+1′), C. Mulcahy (90+3′) Troon: C. Veitch (34′ pen, 59′ pen) |
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| Gretna 2008 | 1 – 5 | Kilwinning Rangers |
| FT Gretna 2008: H. McLinden (90+2′) Kilwinning Rangers: C. Monti (12′), D. O’Neill (15′), R. Scullion (29′), B. Boylan (83′), L. Morrison (90+3′) |
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| Johnstone Burgh | 2 – 2 | Albion Rovers |
| FT Johnstone Burgh: M. Kerr (10′, 16′) Albion Rovers: B. Duncan (61′), D. McColl (83′) |
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| Largs Thistle | 1 – 0 | Dalbeattie Star |
| FT L. McVey (34′) |
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| Newton Stewart | 2 – 2 | Pollok |
| FT Newton Stewart: R. Middleton (20′), Z. Service (74′) Pollok: B. McHugh (33′), O. Cameron (34′) |
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| Renfrew | 3 – 5 | Celtic B |
| FT | HT 2-5 Renfrew: O. Smith (17′), S. Fyfe (32′), A. Cook (62′ pen) Celtic B: C. Daly (23′, 39′), L. Clearie (26′, 45+2′), R. Dargie (36′) |
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Upcoming fixtures
| Caledonian Braves | 7:45pm | Clydebank |
| Cumnock Juniors | 7:45pm | Largs Thistle |
| Kilwinning Rangers | 7:45pm | Albion Rovers |
| Auchinleck Talbot | 7:45pm | Beith Juniors |
| Pollok | 7:45pm | Johnstone Burgh |
| Troon | 7:45pm | Renfrew |
Scottish Lowland League West table
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pollok | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 10 |
| 2 | Auchinleck Talbot | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | +16 | 9 |
| 3 | Kilwinning Rangers | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 7 | +7 | 9 |
| 4 | Caledonian Braves | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 7 | +6 | 9 |
| 5 | Largs Thistle | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 9 |
| 6 | Celtic B | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 8 | +6 | 7 |
| 7 | Beith Juniors | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 7 |
| 8 | Clydebank | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 6 |
| 9 | Johnstone Burgh | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 |
| 10 | Cumnock Juniors | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 4 |
| 11 | Troon | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 3 |
| 12 | Gretna 2008 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 12 | -5 | 3 |
| 13 | Albion Rovers | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| 14 | Cumbernauld Colts | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 1 |
| 15 | Renfrew | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 15 | -7 | 1 |
| 16 | Newton Stewart | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 18 | -14 | 1 |
| 17 | Dalbeattie Star | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | -9 | 0 |