CO-MANAGER Martin Ferry reckons Renfrew’s third league win in three starts – last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Kello Rovers – has set them up perfectly for tonight’s Central Sectional Cup semi-final showdown against Pollok.

The unavailability of several key players forced Ferry and Colin Clark into naming a makeshift side against the Ayrshiremen yet their cobbled together line-up deservedly took the spoils through second-half goals from veteran Jamie Docherty and Kieron Healy

And the seasoned Ferry now believes the confidence boost derived from joining Petershill and Cambuslang Rangers atop the Super First Division standings has his Frew playing charges in high spirits ahead of going toe to toe with trophy favourites Lok.

He insisted: “To pick up all three points despite making as many as five changes is very encouraging and I have to say the guys who came in have certainly staked a claim for a semi-final place.

“There was a lack of cohesion about us in the first half which was only to be expected but the players improved as a unit the longer the game wore on and they did what needed to be done with a bit to spare in my opinion.

“Clearly there’s a world of difference in taking on Pollok compared to Kello Rovers, but there’s a belief among the guys and nobody in our dressing room is frightened of the challenge that’s lying in wait.

“We are massive underdogs and tipped to do little more than just make up the numbers but that suits us fine as the pressure is all on Pollok.”

Having the points in the bag against Kello afforded Renfrew’s management team the luxury of throwing Alan Kinney on for his first 10 minutes of playing action in over a year since suffering a ruptured cruciate ligament in a 2015/16 Evening Times Champions Cup clash with Girvan.

Ferry admitted: “Jamie Docherty has been a goalscoring revelation since coming here in the close season and as a former Pollok signing will be desperate to do well against his former club.

“Alongside him we have the option of playing Darren Jones, a match-winner but also a bit of a maverick player insofar as you can always expect him to do the unexpected, or we can call on the blistering pace of Scott Morton who was one of our absentees on Saturday because of work commitments.

“But though happy with how we are playing in the forward areas, I’m still looking forward to the day when big Kinney is back to full fitness and competing for a jersey alongside the other three.

“He’s another former Pollok player who has been working hard on the training ground but we are deliberately not pushing him into making a comeback until he feels ready.

“It would have been fabulous to have someone of his qualities for tonight not least because he thrives on these big game occasions.”

One-time defensive ace Ferry turned his thoughts to another comeback star who might well feature in the New Western Park head-to-head.

He lauded: “Our depleted state last weekend forced us to ask our former centre-back Anton Heffron to come out of retirement to help us out and to say he was excellent is no exaggeration.

“He looked as if he had never been away but whether he can be persuaded to go back on his decision is something Clarky and I will be working on right up until kick-off time.”

Pollok’s return to winning ways via Saturday’s 2-1 defeat of Kilwinning Rangers will have gaffer Tony McInally pondering over his starting line-up tonight, however it would be no surprise if he went with a same again line-up inclusive of latest signing Ryan McGregor in a midfield screening role.

McGregor’s second time around arrival at Newlandsfield last midweek coincided with versatile defender Craig Buchanan opting to leave and rejoin one of his former clubs Irvine Meadow whose assistant manager John Quinn has been lured back to previous club Kello Rovers where he will assume the role of team boss going into this coming Saturday’s meeting with Darvel.

Elsewhere on the transfer front comes word of Cambuslang Rangers striker Liam Gormley posting a transfer request after failing to hold down a regular starting jersey with the strong-going Somervell Park outfit.

Super First Division rivals Kilsyth Rangers are thought to be leading the chase for the one-time Celtic signing’s signature but they face stern competition from Shettleston and Gartcairn.

PLAYING TONIGHT

Central Sectional Cup semi-final: Pollok v Renfrew (New Western Park 7.30pm).