ON SATURDAY Red Star played host to local rivals Tarbert in the first derby match of the season. Star were almost at full strength with only MacDougall absent after picking up a thigh injury in Star’s last outing. The home side were looking for their fourth straight win and to keep up their unbeaten record.
It was the Stag hotel-sponsored side that looked the more determined and grabbed the lead inside five minutes as the ball was fed through to Russell with a sublime pass; the Star striker turned and smashed the ball just inside the post. Star’s top goal scorer wasn’t finished yet though as he added a second three minutes later. With the Tarbert defence in disarray, Asen picked the ball up out on the wing and fired a cross into Russell who controlled and fired home with a fierce shot.
The game was beginning to heat up a bit with some fierce tackles from both sides as Tarbert tried to pull a goal back to get into the game but Duncan Lister, making his first start for Star, was a safe pair of hands all game.
The home team grabbed a third on 18 minutes as a wicked corner was swung in by Phillips to the front post. Who popped up to head the ball into the empty net but Russell, the striker, having a sublime game, grabbed his hat trick and his seventh goal in four games this season.
With Star now flying and pushing for more goals they left themselves a bit exposed from their own corner. On the counter attack Broderick pulled down Prentice on the edge of the D. From the free kick Tarbert grabbed a goal, Prentice stepping up to stroke the ball past the wall and into the bottom corner.
This didn’t seem to faze the Lochgilphead side who could have grabbed a fourth, first through Asen whose shot was well saved and Naisby who was inches wide.
A fourth did arrive before half time as Russell played a pass to C. Houston, who, playing his first game this season, controlled the ball with his chest and fired a shot into the top corner to open his account for the season. At the break the management were delighted with the performance so far but reminded their team to go out and be focused and be strong for the first ten to fifteen minutes.
There was little goalscoring opportunities in the second half with the midfield trio of Phillips, C. Houston and in particular D. Campbell having a strong game and cancelling out any Tarbert attacks, and with Morrison having an outstanding game on the right wing all was looking good for Star.
With the front pairing of Russell and Asen being so deadly it was only a matter of time before Asen got on the score sheet, which he did on 65 minutes. As Morrison attacked down the right he swung a ball in which Asen controlled and swivelled in one movement, stroking the ball into the bottom left-hand post.
Now with the score at 5-1 Star were happy to sit and defend and try to hit the away team on the counter attack, Manager Moore brought on fresh legs with Crawford replacing Naisby and Weir with the hat trick hero Russell.
The scoring wasn’t quite finished though as Morrison fired in the sixth with a low shot across the keeper after controlling a deep cross from Asen in the 86th minute. With the score finishing 6-1 to Star this pushes them back into second place, three points behind St Patrick’s who also have a 100 per cent record, having played a game more than Star.
Manager Moore said afterwards, ‘I was delighted with the attitude the players showed. They kept their discipline and shape and played some good football throughout although at times we were caught napping, but hopefully the lads will keep working hard at training.
Red Star takes a break from league action this weekend as they play host to Woodhall Thistle in a second round Scottish Cup tie with a 2:30 pm kick off.
The Lanarkshire team won through to the last four of the West Of Scotland Cup which was won by S.A.F.L side St Patricks A.F.C. last season.
