Simply the best, says Dougie

Dec 16 2008 by David Rinaldi, Paisley Daily Express

RENFREW...............................3SHOTTS..................................1

WESTERN Park chief Dougie Mitchell hailed the victory over Shotts as the ’Frew’s best of the season then challenged his men to ensure it was no flash in the pan.

A second half brace from Ryan Deas and a Steven Reid effort earned the hosts a deserved three points and not even a late Jamie White strike for the Hannah Park men could take the shine off a terrific performance.

The result doesn’t take the ’Frew out of the First Division drop zone but it moves them within striking distance of Port Glasgow and Annbank who are directly above them in the standings.

And general manager Mitchell believes relegation won’t be an issue if his men can maintain that level of performance.

He told Express Sports: “It was a great weekend and a thoroughly deserved win and I knew it was only a matter of time before we got a result like that.

“We could have been three or four up in the first half and Shotts never had a chance as we were on the front foot all the time.

“Our co-managers Martin Ferry and Colin Clark had a right in-depth chat with the boys at half-time and Ryan Deas put us ahead while Steven Reid got the second goal at the right time.

“Ryan, Graham Mort and big Alex Smith put in great performances in the middle of the park and I felt we also deserved a clean sheet.

“We’ll have an inquest after the goal we lost but it certainly won’t take the shine off the performance.

“It was probably our best performance of the season and the fact we got the goals after making so many chances put the tin hat on it.

“But we’re not getting carried away and we need to make sure we keep up that level of performance in our next game on the 27th against East Kilbride.

“The only downside is our game against Girvan has been cancelled this weekend because of their involvement in the Scottish Cup which is a pain but we just have to get on with it.

“We’ve arranged a game against Beith to try and keep the momentum going and that will be a good test for us down there.”

Mitchell also praised the performance of two-goal hero Deas who has bounced back from a horror ankle break.

He said: “Ryan’s worked so, so hard to come back after a horrific ankle break that also saw him damage ligaments.

“He’s been hammering it at training and we’ve had to nurse him back but he really deserves his goals for all the work he’s put in.”