For the first time this season Buffs fans had to endure a scoreless draw as they seen their side draw 0-0 with Renfrew FC. Neither side managed to create many clear-cut chances throughout the 90, even with Renfrew being reduced to 10 men in the later stages of the match.
It was a dominant start from the visitors who took the game to The Buffs early on and could’ve scored within the first minute when a free header, in the box, struck the bar following a cross from a corner. The Buffs were very slack whilst playing out during the opening stages of the match, but Renfrew failed to capitalise on multiple Buffs errors before eventually The Buffs pieced together their first move of the game. Very similar to a chance that was created against Muirkirk, the ball was switched out to the right-hand side where Dylan Duncan was there to chest down before taking a touch and firing goalward. The goalkeeper managed to get down well and save Dylan’s effort, but it was a bright moment from a side that had been lacklustre so far. Despite Buffs’ difficulties early on they ended the half with a very solid 25 minutes which seen them create several half chances. First it was Blair MacIntyre who had a chance at the back post when Conor McLaughlin found him brilliantly with a cross after a quick throw in from Jack McMahon, unfortunately Blair’s header didn’t have enough power on it which allowed the goalkeeper to get across and save. Centre Half, Lawrence Hendry, then had a chance to open the scoring from a Jack Maccalman long throw but his header from close range was deflected over. The best chance of the half came in injury time when the ball was launched up towards Dylan Duncan who headed down for Jack McMahon to run onto, Jack the gave the ball to Mark Lamont and eventually the ball was slid through for Conor McLaughlin to run onto. Conor cut back inside his man well before taking aim with the left foot at the Renfrew goal, somehow the recovering defender managed to get back goal-side and block Conor’s attempt at its source.
The Buffs made sure that their dominance would continue in the second half and would’ve taken the lead if it wasn’t for an excellent save when Jack McMahon got a toe to a drilled ball in by Aaron Boyd who made his full debut on the day. Substitute Chris Bell added to the missed chances when his tame effort was easily saved. It was great build up from The Buffs between Dylan Duncan and Blair MacIntyre to set Chris’ chance up, but he failed to catch the ball cleanly when striking. The Buffs did have the ball in the net when Jack McMahon headed in a second ball from a Maccalman long throw, but the referee ruled the goal out for offside. The Frew’s first chance of the half came in the 76th minute when a low cross found the Renfrew striker in an abundance of space in the box, but his first time effort trickled just wide of The Buffs post. For the second game in a row there was a contentious red card handed out, this time for the opposition when Aaron Chauhdry was shown a second yellow card for what the referee adjudged to be simulation. It looked an incredibly harsh punishment for the opposition substitute as it looked like he simply just fell over the ball without really making any claim for a penalty. Despite the man advantage the Buffs couldn’t break down The Frew during the last 15 minutes and the game just petered out with both sides having to settle for a point.
Other than the first 25, or so, minutes it was a very positive Buffs performance that featured plenty of good footballing moves and some impressive performances from Conor McLaughlin and Blair MacIntyre in The Buffs’ midfield. Next week gives The Buffs another chance to rest up before they make the journey to the east coast to face Sauchie Juniors in the 3rd round of the South Challenge Cup.
