MARK TOMS led the way with a fine four-goal haul as Rhu Amateurs made light work of Viewfield Rovers with a 9-3 victory at Ardenconnel Park on Saturday.

Toms’ tally was the highlight of an eventful day which saw two new faces make their debuts in the Rhu ranks as the home side eased to victory despite playing more than 45 minutes with 10 men.

Captain Gordon Brodie hit the bar with a header in only the second minute, but Rhu didn’t have to wait long for the opener as one of the new additions to the squad, Ross Jeffrey, controlled a Toms cross and slotted home between the keeper’s legs.

A quick Viewfield equaliser reminded Rhu that the bottom-of-the-table visitors weren’t going to lie down easily, but the hosts soon regained the lead when Brian Cameron outpaced the visitors’ full-back and picked out Jeffrey, who set up Toms in the box to slot home.

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Number three was an own goal, and a shocker for the Viewfield keeper, who failed to control a back pass and watched in horror as it rolled into the net, before Jeffrey and Toms combined again for the latter to fire his second and the hosts’ fourth in off the post.

Rhu were hit by a blow just before the interval when Viewfield netted a second from a dubious penalty, – though more worryingly for the hosts, the award was accompanied by a second yellow card for Brodie, who was mistakenly penalised for the foul despite pleas of mistaken identity from the captain and his team-mates.

But a half-time change in formation proved a masterstroke as Rhu made sure they wouldn’t pay for being a man down, Lee Dickson heading in a corner to make it 5-2.

And with the wind in their sails it was soon six for the home side, Jeffrey once again set up Toms, who completed his hat-trick with a curled effort with the outside of his boot, and the same pair linked up yet again for number seven on 70 minutes, Jeffrey again the provider as Toms calmly slotted home his fourth.

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And Toms turned provider for the eighth goal, setting up Gary Stillwell for a lovely chip over the stranded Viewfield keeper, before the four-goal hero was substituted to enthusiastic applause.

And there was still time for the other Rhu debutant, Dale Walker, to get in on the act with the ninth and final goal, with Jeffrey once more the provider with a lovely ball over the defence.

Viewfield’s number 17, their stand-out player, kept plugging away and added a late consolation from their number 17, their stand-out player on the day, but it was far too little and much too late to have any impact on the outcome – and indeed, it could have been more for Rhu if they had taken more of their chances.

Squad: Brown, Bell, Brodie, Dickson, Maule, Gorman, Laird, Cameron, Stillwell, Jeffrey, Toms, Bell, Walker, Milne.

This Saturday, November 30, Rhu play host to Milton Amateurs in the quarter-finals of the Douglas Smith League Cup. Kick-off at Ardenconnel Park is at 1.30pm, and a large home support, as always, will be warmly welcomed.

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Meanwhile, Helensburgh FC's relegation battle in the Greater Glasgow Premier AFL's first division suffered a further setback on Saturday when they lost 5-2 to Eastwood Parkmount A at Hermitage Academy.

This Saturday, November 30, Helensburgh are away to Glasgow University A, with a 2pm kick-off.

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