By Ricky Kelly
Renfrew suffered their third defeat of the Scottish Lowland League West season as Celtic B left New Western Park in Renfrew with a 5-3 victory on Saturday, 8 August.
The home side twice drew level during an entertaining first half, but three Celtic B goals before the interval left Renfrew with too much to do.
Renfrew had an early warning when a Celtic B corner found Lewis Clearie, but his header went wide and out of play.
The visitors went even closer shortly afterwards when Rhys Dargie struck the woodwork from a free-kick.
Renfrew began to find their way into the game and a good move involving Andrew Cook, David Innes and David McCallum came to an end when Argyll McCoist was unable to bring the ball under control.
Celtic goalkeeper Connelly Shaw then almost presented Renfrew with an opportunity when he allowed the ball to get behind him. McCoist spotted the mistake and raced forward, but Shaw recovered, brought the ball back under control and used some neat footwork to escape the Renfrew forward.
The hosts took the lead in the 17th minute.
McCoist was involved in the build-up before Ben Harwood found Owen Smith, who finished into the bottom-right corner to make it 1-0.
Celtic B responded six minutes later when Colby Daly levelled, with Euan Obidivie providing the assist.
The visitors completed the turnaround in the 26th minute. Clearie found the bottom-left corner to put Celtic B 2-1 ahead.
Renfrew responded and were back on level terms in the 32nd minute. Cameron Mahon set up Sam Fyfe, who finished low to make it 2-2.
Celtic B regained the lead four minutes later through Dargie.
The visitors then made it 4-2 in the 39th minute when Daly grabbed his second of the afternoon with a shot into the top-right corner.
There was another blow for Renfrew deep into first-half stoppage time. Dargie sent a high cross into the area and Clearie headed home for his second of the match to give Celtic B a 5-2 half-time lead.
Renfrew made changes at the interval, with Ryan Paterson and Josh Winton introduced for McCallum and Innes.
Despite facing a three-goal deficit, the home side continued to look for a way back into the match.
McCoist came close after Renfrew regained possession following a long Celtic B throw, but his effort towards the bottom-left corner went wide.
Harwood also tried his luck, although his effort caused Shaw little trouble.
At the other end, Renfrew goalkeeper David McLeay denied Obidivie with his foot to prevent Celtic B from adding a sixth.
Renfrew were given an opportunity to reduce the deficit when McCoist was brought down by Innes English inside the penalty area.
Cook stepped up and converted the resulting penalty in the 62nd minute, sending the ball into the bottom-right corner as Shaw went the other way.
Renfrew continued to create opportunities.
A move involving Lewis Punton, Harwood and McCoist ended with a header being gathered by Shaw, before another attack saw McCoist denied by the Celtic goalkeeper.
Cook delivered the resulting corner, but Celtic B cleared the danger.
Another Cook corner later found McCoist, whose header went into the side netting.
Celtic B remained dangerous and Daly had an effort put behind by a Renfrew defender following a move involving Haney.
Paterson required treatment late in the match after being struck in the face by the ball. He briefly left the field before returning around a minute later.
McLeay was called into action again towards the end when Celtic B put together a move involving Kennedy, Turley and Clearie. The Renfrew goalkeeper came off his line to clear before Clearie could take advantage.
Renfrew continued pushing until the final whistle, but could not find the two further goals required to complete a comeback.
FULL-TIME RESULT: Renfrew 3 Celtic ‘B’ 5
