LAST week Star finally played their second round West of Scottish Cup tie against Kilmarnock amateurs. With heavy rain forecast last week the decision was taken to move the tie to an away game for Star as the Ropework Park would be unplayable for the fourth week running.
Star travelled with only thirteen players as nine of the regular squad could not make it, with Connor Crawford and Lewis Peacock making their Red Star debuts after a successful summer with the Lochgilphead Wanderers.
The game was played on a sticky surface but Star were determined to try and play and couldn’t have got off to a better start as they opened the scoring inside the first three minutes. After good play in the middle of the park Asen was played through and placed the ball past the keeper with ease.
The home side were providing little threat on Star’s goal with McCulloch only having to make one save in the first half. Red Star on the other hand had several chances with Weir and Morrison both getting in behind the defence, but Star couldn’t convert their chances.
Into the second half Star began to attack with more intent, looking to kill the game off with a second although a couple of sloppy moments in defence kept McCulloch on his toes as he made two excellent one-on-one saves. In the 60th minute though, Star did add a second with good play out on the right between Morrison and Broderick who combined to create a cross which was nodded in at the front post for his first Red Star goal.
Although Star were looking comfortable they let Kilmarnock back in the game by conceding a goal. With the ball out on the left, Naisby wasn’t quick enough to close down a deep cross which tempted the keeper off his line. As he attempted to gather the ball he could only get a fingertip to it at full stretch and tipped the ball into the path of the striker for an easy tap in.
The home side were starting to get more physical with late tackles on Asen especially, but they would pay for being reckless with their challenges.
As Asen collected the ball on the left he skipped past two players before being scythed down in the box to win a penalty. He stepped up and placed the penalty in the bottom corner to restore Star’s two goal cushion.
The joy was short lived though as yet again Star let Kilmarnock back into the game with another goal. A corner was swung in from the left and with McCulloch under pressure he couldn’t clear the ball. It was headed goalwards by the number 8 and despite the leap of Crawford on the line he could only manage to head the ball into the roof of the net.
The final ten minutes were getting a bit tense but Star managed to hold on to a 3-2 victory and book a place in the third round. Star would like to thank Sandy Crawford and Arthur McCulloch for their hard work with the Wanderers through the summer and as shown in this match Star are beginning to reap the rewards of this as more young players come into the first team.
Star has a free week this week and will be looking for another victory when they play their third round tie the following week.
Team: McCulloch, S.Crawford, Naisby, I. Houston, Kowalski, Asen, A. Morrison, Broderick, MacDougall, Peacock, C. Weir. Subs: C. Crawford, S. Greygull
