RHU Amateurs fell at the first hurdle of the West of Scotland Cup on Saturday after a disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to AFC Chryston.

Both teams began positively at Ardenconnel, and the early breakthrough came Rhu’s way when Chryston’s goalkeeper misjudged the flight of a cross, and in came Connolly to power home a header for the opening goal.

But Chryston, who play in the Stirling and District AFL, proved they weren’t just there to make up the numbers, coming more and more into the tie and creating some good chances before McVey headed past Brown for an own goal to level the game.

Chryston finished the first half strongly, and were unlucky not to go into the break in front; Rhu knew they needed to up their game after the break following that let-off, and the early stages of the second half were very open, with chances at both ends.

But it was Chryston who took the lead when Brown was given no chance as a cutback was turned into the net – and Rhu’s job was made even harder when Laird was sent off for a second booking.

And Chryston killed the game late on when their number nine finished well from 12 yards on the counter.

Team: Brown, Maule, Connolly, McVey, Quinn, Laird, Scullion, A. Sharkey, Burns, K. Sharkey, McElroy. Subs: McCaughey, Gorman, Milne, Smith, Leishman.

This Saturday, September 22, Rhu host Stirling University in a Caledonian League fixture. Kick-off at Ardenconnel is at 2pm.