Jubilant Red Star crowned Premier Two champions
SAFL Premier 2
Busby AFC 0 Lochgilphead Red Star 5 A JUBILANT Lochgilphead Red Star returned from Clarkston last Saturday after securing their first league championship since 1988 with a resounding victory away to Busby.
It has been a long campaign for Star, given the size of the league and a pre-season which started in the first week of July, but the Lochgilphead side have been top of the table from the opening day of the season and the commitment of the players and coaches has seen them stay on top.
Saturday’s game saw Star start understandably edgy, given what was at stake with a few passes going astray early on the bumpy grass surface at Overlee. Any nerves were soon settled, however, as Gregor Peacock latched onto a cut back from Kieran Moore to beat the goalkeeper.
Red Star doubled their lead on 20 minutes after Innes Meikle was fouled by a Busby defender in the box. Rab Docherty stepped up and despite his initial effort being saved he headed home the rebound from close range.
At the other end, Ben Pollock was tested by a stinging effort from the Busby striker, however, the goalkeeper parried away the attempt and Star went in at half time with a relatively comfortable two-goal advantage.
Star came out in the second half looking to kill the match off and got the third after 50 minutes.
A solo run from Kieran Moore saw him cut in from the left and drill the ball past the Busby stopper to put Star 0-3 up with the match all but over.
Gregor Peacock doubled his tally after some good build up play from midfield before Peacock made no mistake from close range to continue his excellent run towards the end of the season.
With 20 minutes remaining, Star rounded off the scoring with a Kieran Moore free kick, the ball sailing over the wall as Moore celebrated his 60th goal of an incredible season.
Busby were reduced to 10 men soon after when their midfielder was ordered off for swinging a punch at Aaron Moore, who controlled the game nicely from midfield alongside Ben Forbes and Lee MacLean.
As the final whistle went, a delighted Red Star knew that their long wait for a league title was over and the celebrations began.
A fantastic day for the club is in store on Saturday May 26 when Red Star take on Easthall Star in the final match of the season at the Ropework – 2pm kick off.
After the match Red Star will be presented with the Premier Two trophy at 3.45pm.
Newly-crowned British champions Mid Argyll Pipe Band will be playing at the pitch as well as the local Soccer Centre youngsters taking part in the celebrations.
It promises to be an excellent afternoon, so don’t miss it.