RHU Amateurs produced a fine, battling performance to defeat league leaders Dunblane SC 2-1 away from home on Saturday.

Goals from Nathan Teague and Kyle Sharkey saw the visitors fight back from a goal down for a memorable win – sealed by a backs-to-the-wall display in the last half hour after two quick yellow cards for Kyran McVey reduced Rhu to ten men.

After both sides squandered early chances Dunblane took the lead when a ball down the left wasn’t cut out and left the hosts’ Chris MacDonald with a tap-in.

But Rhu didn’t let the goal faze them, and a combination of a high pressing game and danger on the break paid dividends when a nice ball across the edge of the box was finished in style by Teague.

Despite the terrible weather both sides were producing some good stuff, and Dunblane thought they’d regained the lead, only for the referee to signal for offside.

And Rhu got their noses in front before the break when Sharkey latched on to a through ball and calmly beat the Dunblane keeper.

The home side came out of the traps fast in the second half, only to find the Rhu defence was in top form.

But ths visitors suffered a real blow when McVey picked up two bookings in quick succession, leaving them having to protect their lead a man down.

And while Rhu still looked dangerous on the break, Dunblane had all the possession, and the hosts spent the last half an hour flinging the kitchen sink at the away defence.

But determined defending and some fine saves by keeper James Brown frustrated the home side and saw Rhu see the game out for a third league win in a row.

Team: Brown, Maule, Milne, Connolly, McVey, Stillwell, Gorman, Laird, A. Sharkey, Teague, K. Sharkey. Subs: Caldwell, Burns.

* Saturday’s league victory was the ideal tonic for Rhu after they were knocked out of the Scottish Amateur Cup at the second round stage away to Irvine Meadow AFC.

Rhu reached the interval 2-0 down, and though Shaun Laird pulled one back with a penalty the visitors were unable to force a replay.

* The club would like to thank Fraser McPherson from the Cardross Pharmacy, Ridings Sawmills, and Willie Cordiner for the generous sponsorship that has allowed to the club to purchase some much needed equipment for the team.

( This Saturday, October 20, Rhu play host to Holytown Colts in the Caledonian League. Kick-off at Ardenconnel Park is at 2pm.

* Looking further ahead, on Sunday, October 28, a ‘Rhu Legends’ side will take on the Dukla Pumpherston charity team at Ardenconnel in aid of the Back Onside charity, which uses sport to help improve mental health.

Kick-off is at 12 noon. For more see the October 25 issue of the Advertiser.