RENFREW co-bosses Colin Clark and Martin Ferry say they have no qualms about turning to youth following the loss of two key players.

The experienced duo were hit with a double whammy transfer blow during the close season when Rob Roy’s swoop to entice away defensive lynchpin Ross Gallagher was followed by experienced hitman Chris Zok electing to put pen to paper for Super First Division rivals Cumbernauld United.

Clarky admitted: “Both players have left but on good terms and with the best wishes of everyone at Renfrew for their footballing futures.

“I’d say we were probably caught a bit unawares by Gal’s departure, however you can hardly blame the big fellow for wanting to play at Super Premier Division level and I’m sure he’ll do well for the Rabs.

“And it’s also difficult not to have sympathy for the circumstances that have led to Zok moving out given he lives in Cumbernauld and has a very young family so it makes sense for him to opt for playing with his local team.

“Replacing him will not be easy when you think that he and Scott Morton contributed the major slice of our goals return last season, however we’ve managed to fix up another proven scorer in Jamie Docherty and we also have Darren Jones looking sharp on top of Scott starting the season in great form.

The surprise twin departures prompted the Frew management team to move quickly and secure the signatures of West Park United midfield prospects Andy McLellan and Lee Davidson as well as David Quinn and Conor McGuinness from last season’s crack Rutherglen Glencairn Under 21 side and Clarky insists the injection of young blood has played no small part in helping Renfrew roar out of the blocks with back to back victories over Johnstone Burgh (5-1) and Vale of Leven (1-0) in their opening Central Sectional League Cup encounters.

The one-time Frew stalwart took time out from preparations for tonight’s crunch Section Seven clash away to Port Glasgow to reflect: “The young guys have grabbed their chance and right now are in the team on merit though we have yet to see Davidson in action because he has been carrying an injury which is not responding to treatment.

“He is a central midfielder with a lot of promise as well as a pedigree that shows he previously played a number of first team games at Queen's Park so both Martin and I have high hopes of him bringing something to the team.

The capture of seasoned hitman Docherty who was on the books of Maryhill last season, makes up a trio of former St Anthony's players…Kieron Maxwell and Thomas Miller are the others…whom the Frew co-gaffers snapped up following the players recently obtaining their release by Shettleston.

Clark added: “All three players had went there to be reunited with their former Ants boss James McKenna but his well-publicised departure led to them becoming free agents and we managed to beat a number of clubs to their signatures.

“Our playing squad is now taking shape and hopefully we can build on our good start down at the Port where you never expect less than a tough 90 minutes and more so now with Brian Heron back in charge and putting his own stamp on their team.

“Taking something from the game sets set up the prospect of a final game decider against Greenock for a place in the quarter-finals and that has to be our aim tomorrow night.”

In other games, managerless Wishaw will be going all out to further their qualification hopes by picking up all three points at home to Gartcairn while their erstwhile team boss Chris McGroarty will take charge of Kilsyth Rangers for the very first time in a Duncansfield clash with Dunipace.

City clubs Shettleston and St Roch's lock horns at Greenfield Park and Rutherglen Glencairn will be hoping to bounce back from their surprise weekend defeat by Vale of Clyde when hosting the visit of Blantyre Vics.

Meanwhile, the clock is now ticking for Junior clubs after SJFA chiefs announced Tuesday, August 22, as the date when they will stage the 2017/18 Scottish Junior Cup first round draw at Hampden Park (6pm) with the ties pulled from the hat to be played on Saturday, September 23.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 6.45pm unless stated)

Central Sectional League Cup. Section One: Forth Wanderers v Lesmahagow, Royal Albert v Lanark Utd.

Section Two: Carluke Rovers v Newmains Utd, Wishaw v Gartcairn.

Section Three.Bellshill Athletic v Petershill, Shettleston v St Roch's.

Section Four: Rutherglen Glencairn v Blantyre Vics, East Kilbride Thistle v Vale of Clyde.

Section Five: Arthurlie v Benburb, Neilston v Pollok.

Section Six: Glasgow Perthshire v Yoker Athletic, Clydebank v Maryhill.

Section Seven: Port Glasgow v Renfrew, Johnstone Burgh v Greenock.

Section Eight: Rossvale v Cumbernauld Utd, Kilsyth Rangers v Dunipace.

Ardagh Glass Sectional League Cup. Section One: Beith v Largs Thistle, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Dalry Thistle, Kilwinning Rangers v Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

Section Two. Irvine Vics v Ardeer Thistle, Darvel v Irvine Meadow, Saltcoats Vics v Hurlford Utd.

Section Three: Annbank Utd v Maybole, Craigmark v Troon,Whitletts Vics v Girvan.

Section Four: Lugar Boswell v Auchinleck Talbot, Cumnock v Glenafton, Kello Rovers v Muirkirk.