GORDON BRODIE says his Rhu Amateurs players will do their utmost to make the village, and the wider Helensburgh area, proud of them after chalking up their fifth win in a row.
Luke Evans was the goalscoring hero with a first half double as Rhu’s Caledonian League squad defeated Rothesay Brandane 2-1 away from home in the quarter-final of the William Turner Challenge Cup - securing a tie against St Mungo’s in the last four of the tournament.
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
And Brodie has vowed he and his players will do all they can to make the area proud of its local team as they aim for a place in the final of the competition.
The manager said after the game: “This was a huge result for the boys from Ardenconnel, and it was exactly what the boys deserved.
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
“From where we were last season to where we find ourselves now is a great testament to this group of players and shows exactly why the Rhu management has such high hopes for the future.
“Everyone at the club is buzzing for the semi final and will do everything to make this town proud of its local team once again.”
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
Having beaten Premier Division Dalziel away from home in the quarter-finals, and won their previous three First Division matches against Callander, Glasgow University and Stirling University, Rhu made the trip to Bute high on confidence.
So perhaps not surprisingly, Brodie’s men started the game at breakneck speed, full of attacking intent and creating numerous chances which caused the home side all kinds of trouble.
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
And it was no surprise after their whirlwind start when the visitors took the lead, a great move setting up Evans to slot the ball past the Rothesay keeper.
Rhu kept the momentum going after scoring the opening goal, and it was Evans who doubled their lead with another impressive finish, giving the home keeper absolutely no chance.
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
The visitors kept pushing forward with wave after wave of attacks, and the home side were fortunate not to concede more before the break – but on the stroke of half-time some slack defending allowed the Rothesay men, who have experienced a resurgence of their own this season after a number of years stuck in the lower reaches of the league, to half the deficit and keep their own cup dreams alive.
Rhu have shown a great fighting attitude this season, grabbing a number of late goals in several matches while playing some great football – but the second half on Saturday saw a different side to Rhu’s play as Rothesay, who currently lie third in the First Division table, two places and nine points better off than Rhu, came flying out of the blocks and put their visitors on the back foot for the whole of the season half.
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
Rhu made it five wins in a row as they progressed to the last four of the William Turner Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win away to Rothesay Brandane (Photo - David Swan)
Once again, though, Rhu’s battling spirit and willingness to play for each other came to the fore, and some very impressive defending from the whole team saw Brodie’s men through to seal their place in the semi-final.
Rhu will now face St Mungo's at Glenhead Park in Duntocher (G81 6HH) this Wednesday, May 17 - kick-off is at 7pm.
Before then, though, Brodie's men are up against Westerlands in the Caledonian League this Saturday, May 13 - kick-off at Ardenconnel Park is at the earlier-than-usual time of 10am.
* All photos by David Swan aka @daveswanpics on Twitter - more at the Bute Sport group on Flickr
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