Early pace-setters Red Star win 10-goal league thriller

RED STAR continued their good goal scoring form at Battery Park, Gourock, last Saturday but were forced to work hard for their three points.

The match started positively for the Lochgilphead outfit when Kieran Moore broke clear of the defence before crossing to strike partner Ciaran McPhie, who nodded Star in front with a header from eight yards. East End got themselves level from a set piece on 38 minutes when their number eight peeled off to nod the ball back across goal and into the path of the striker who finished well from close range.

Star immediately set about restoring their lead with an excellent passing move, which had proved rare in the first half. This time it was Rab Docherty who found space on the right and cut the ball into the path of Ciaran McPhie who finished into the bottom corner to put Star 1-2 up at the interval.

Star didn’t get off to the best of starts in the second period. East End levelled when Kyle Selfridge was dispossessed inside his own half, and an East End forward powered clear and beat Ben Pollock in goals.

Star got themselves back ahead thanks to an own goal from a Kieran Moore free kick before East End equalised again on the hour when a shot from the edge of the area squirmed through Ben Pollock’s gloves. 3-3.

The visitors forced their way ahead for the fourth time when Kyle Selfridge made amends for his earlier mistake, sliding a neat through ball into the path of Martin Bonar, who hammered home from just inside the box for 3-4.

Bonar added to his tally when he burst through from midfield again, this time finding the bottom corner to make it 3-5.

The fitness of the away side was beginning to show as they created numerous chances towards the end of the contest and it was no surprise when Kieran Moore got on the score sheet with an excellent effort from 20 yards. The scoring was complete with five minutes left when Kieran Moore tapped in from close range.

This Saturday Red Star travel to take on Houston United as they look to continue their good start to the season and maintain their spot as early pace setters.