Six-goal Star see off rivals Houston Utd

RED STAR welcomed Houston United to the Joint Campus 3G pitch on Saturday and saw off their Renfrewshire rivals with an assured display - despite missing key players through injury.

With Aaron Moore and Luke Naisby injured, Connor Crawford played at the back alongside Kyle Selfridge and Andy Weir.

Red Star looked to get on the front foot early, as they had done in recent weeks, and provided a dominant display for supporters.

Star's passing and movement proved too much for Houston United and after 17 minutes, Innes Meikle broke the deadlock as he met a brilliantly executed cross from Kieran Moore in the box to head in and put Star 1-0 up.

It was 2-0 after just 21 minutes and once again Kieran Moore was the architect as his cross into the box was met by Ben Forbes who out jumped the Houston keeper to head home.

The third goal came on the half-hour mark after Star engineered a quick free kick which released Innes Meikle who composed himself to dink the ball over the Houston keeper, doubling his tally for the afternoon and putting Star in cruise control.

Red Star went into the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

The home side started the second half poorly, however, and some sloppy passing allowed Houston a lifeline as they pulled a goal back just after halftime to make it 3-1. It could have turned into a nervy affair for the league leaders as Houston again threatened but the danger was cleared off the line by Connor Crawford.

Red Star made the most of their earlier let offs and again began to dominate the second half.

Haven broke free of the defence and Lee Maclean showed great composure as he finished into the bottom corner to grab the killer fourth goal.

Kieran Moore, who had dominated the midfield all day, eventually got his deserving goals. Cutting inside from the left wing and driving forward, he went on to beat the keeper to complete a wonderful solo goal.

The final goal was an excellent team goal as Kieran Moore latched on to a fine lob from the returning Craig Houston before slotting the ball under Houston United’s keeper to give Star a deserved 6-1 victory.

This weekend, Red Star travel to Alexandria to take on FC Argyle.