Star faced another tough away game last week as they travelled to face second place Kings Park Rangers aiming to close the gap further on leaders St. Patricks.
With the tie being cancelled the previous week, it was moved to Glasgow Green and Star travelled without C. Houston, Broderick, MacDougall and Asen.
Straight from the whistle it was the Lochgilphead side that were looking the more dangerous and opened the scoring inside the first five minutes. As Kings Park conceded a free kick 30 yards from goal, D. Campbell whipped in a great cross for K. Morrison to head the ball past the diving keeper.
Another early goal in a tough away match helped to settle some nerves and the away side were playing some fast-paced one touch football.
With the skill of Russell cutting inside and beating three defenders, they could have had a second ten minutes later.
With the match heading into the thirty-second minute Star lost a sloppy equaliser. A long throw wasn’t dealt with at the front post and the flick on eluded Mcculloch and Campbell on the line to be bundled in by the striker. This seemed to rock Star and they were lucky not to go behind as Kings Park put the ball in the net before the break. However, the official saw a handball in the run up to the goal and chalked it off.
Going into the break it was all-square. The Stag hotel-sponsored side were playing much better football but weren’t creating many clear-cut opportunities. It wasn’t long before Star regained their lead as Russell hit a fierce shot 25 yards from goal. The keeper could only parry it to the side where the onrushing C. Campbell ran in to smash the ball in the net for his first of the season.
The home side began to exert more pressure looking for the equaliser but the back four were equal to it, limiting them to mainly long balls into the box which were dealt with by the safe hands of Mcculloch.
The Premier dry cleaning-sponsored side then gave themselves breathing space as they added a third with half an hour to go. On the counter attack I. Houston played a neat one two with Phillips then fired in a low cross. Naisby took the ball 18 yards from goal and curled the ball round the keeper inside the post.
With the game now surely over the referee made it interesting by awarding a very soft penalty. He penalised I. Houston for heading the ball away, ruling he had held the Kings Park attacker down. The resulting spot kick was tucked away, sending Mcculloch the wrong way.
With just one goal separating the two sides Moore made some changes bringing off A. Morrison and K. Morrison off and replacing them with Crawford and Docherty. A few minutes after the penalty and Star had restored their two-goal cushion. Docherty broke into the box on the right and his cross was met by D. Campbell who toe poked the ball into the net.
With the game now almost over the Kings Park number two got involved with an altercation at the side of the park with the Red Star coaching staff, pushing out and throwing a head butt, with the referee having no choice but to give him a straight red card.
Manager Moore said afterwards, I was happy with the effort the lads put in considering the bad weather, It wasn’t the most entertaining of games but we managed to secure all three points which was the aim. Unfortunately we will be missing a number of key players due to injuries picked up in this match.’
With another three points won Star can now concentrate on their fixture this Saturday as they travel to take on local rivals Tarbert AFC with a 2pm kick off at Cil Andreis.
Tarbert’s match against Eaglesham last Saturday was cancelled by the referee after a pitch inspection.
The West Loch Shores/ Islay Frigate-sponsored side are looking for a better forecast for tomorrow’s game.
Team: Mcculloch, Inness, C. Campbell, I. Houston, Kowalski, D. Campbell, A. Morrison, Naisby, K. Morrison, Russell, Phillips. Subs: S. Crawford, Docherty, C. Weir, Bruce
