Recap

Match report

Colts emerged with their first point of the season in a 2-2 draw at home against ten-man Renfrew.

It was a bright start at Broadwood when an opening-minute one-on-one opportunity with the keeper almost saw an early breakthrough for Colts. The home team continued to threaten through a free-kick and a series of promising attacking moves that were equally met by spells of possession from Renfrew as both sides settled into a fast-paced attacking game.

Throughout the first twenty minutes, several chances were produced by both teams but ultimately intercepted before anything could be made of them. The most notable of these chances fell to Jack Devlin in the 22nd minute with a shot on target saved by the visiting keeper.

After a myriad of near misses, it was Jamie Semple who broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with a clear shot from just north of the box to bring Colts into the lead.

Not two minutes later, Renfrew were reduced to ten men after Danny Hatfield was brought down by Gregor Wylie just outside the box with the ball. Ultimately, Colts were unable to capitalise from the resulting free kick, leaving the hosts still leading by one at the break.

With no changes for either side, Colts began the second half on the front foot with an early effort from Jamie Semple testing the visitors’ defence in a spell of counter-attacking play that saw both teams trading attempts on goal with no reward.

Just after the hour mark, both sides turned to their benches, with Colts replacing Daniel Hatfield with Jude Freel. The St Mirren Loanee, after just two minutes on the pitch, would go on to double the lead with his first goal for the club.

The celebrations would not last long, however, as a player down in the box would result in a penalty for Renfrew, put away by Alan Cook to bring the visitors into the game for the first time.

Revitalised by their goal, the visitors pushed forward by forcing Colts into a clearance amidst a dangerous run in the box, followed by a later free kick which was dealt with promptly by David Wilson.

Further substitutions in the 74th and 78th minutes saw Colts sub in Mark McCraffrey for Jamie Semple before Harrison Howe was replaced by a Trialist as the hosts looked to see out the game.

Despite Colts’ resilience, Renfrew found a second in the 85th minute at the hands of Sean Fyfe to neutralise the game at two all.

Colts searched for a late winner of their own, winning a free kick in stoppage time after a foul on Jude Freel, but the effort drifted narrowly off target. Renfrew appealed for a second penalty in the dying light of added time but were instead awarded a yellow card for simulation, and the game continued.

The final whistle blew after a well-contested 90 minutes in which Colts were pegged back twice, and the points were ultimately shared as both sides earned their first point of the league campaign.

Full-Time: Cumbernauld Colts 2–2 Renfrew