MANAGER Jamie Kjorstad says he’s delighted at what he’s seeing from Rhu Amateurs’ Saturday morning squad after watching them chalk up a 5-3 win over Croftpark in their latest pre-season friendly.

As is the way with pre-season matches, the Rhu squad for Saturday's match at Toryglen was missing some familiar faces due to summer holidays, giving Kjorstad and his coaches the chance to run their eye over some potential new recruits - and with only 12 players in the squad, it meant they would all get a decent run out.

The new faces didn't look out of place as Rhu made the early running, and it was no surprise when Walker opened the scoring after 10 minutes.

Dale should have had a second ten minutes later but Young decided to shoot rather than the easier option to knock the ball to the unmarked striker and the chance went awry.

However, Walker showed the youngster how to do it when he stroked the ball to the unmarked Young for Rhu's second goal.

The home side did make inroads into getting back into the game, but the makeshift back four did a sterling job in keeping a tight ship - though just before the interval Walker made it three to cement an excellent first-half performance from Rhu.

Croftpark introduced five replacements at the break, resulting in an immediate improvement in their performance - and within three minutes of the restart one of those substitutes curled a shot past the outstretched arms of keeper Lewis.

Buoyed by the goal, Croftpark stepped up their performance and only solid defending by Shields and McConnell, who were playing out of position, kept them at bay.

However the pressure paid off as the hosts clawed themselves back into the game with a second after 65 minutes and then made it 3-3 10 minutes later.

But the makeshift Rhu team dug in and started to press once more in the closing stages, with Mullender missing a bit of a sitter before Walker completed his hat-trick.

Young stepped up to round off the win late on, smacking the ball home after Croftpark's keeper failed to hold a shot from young Lenin Campbell.

Kjorstad said: "Considering we only had 12 players, including two 16-year olds, and were without recognised centre backs, the lads did really well.

"This result and performance, combined with the performance from the first pre-season game against West Dumbarton, has shown that we are starting to build up a decent squad, which after the loss of some key players from last year will fill those gaps nicely."

Pre season continues in the run up to the start of the new league season on August 5. Training is on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7pm at Ardenconnel Park.

If Sat morning football sounds attractive to you, then please get in touch with Jamie on 07793 045359 or Sam Gemmell on 07738 953810.

Meanwhile, Rhu's Caledonian League squad drew 1-1 against West Dumbarton on Saturday in the opening match of the host club's pre-season competition on Dumbarton Common, before beating West Dumbarton Colts 3-1 in later in the day.

The 'Caley' team are in action again tonight (Wednesday, July 19) against Vale of Leven at Millburn Park. Kick-off is at 7.15pm and admission is £4 for adults and £2 for children.

Gordon Brodie's men return to Dumbarton Common on Saturday, July 22, for the second and final day of action in the West Dumbarton tournament, beginning against Milngavie at 11am before the semi-finals and finals in the afternoon.