Carlton ‘snow’ problem for four-goal Red Star

Awful conditions and an Aaron Moore hat trick dominated the headlines as Red Star travelled to Paisley to take on the league’s bottom side Carlton.

Star reverted to a 3-4-3 formation for the game on Saturday February 29, hoping to try and carry more of a goal threat with Aaron Moore leading the attack, flanked by Stuart MacLean and Campbell Litster.

Star were playing against a strong wind in the first half and it was causing problems for both sides.

Although Star had the majority of possession, Carlton had the chance to take the lead when a long ball caused a scramble in the Star box. The Carlton forward got his shot away but the ball was kept out by a combination of Coll McCallum and Jake Weir.

The visitors started to build pressure of their own and after a succession of corners, the ball fell kindly to Stuart McLean, who fired the ball into the bottom corner to give Star the lead at half time 0-1.

Into the second half and the weather took a turn for the worse as a freak snow storm appeared.

It didn’t put Star off their stride though as they put the game to bed with an excellent opening 10 minutes. Some neat play down the left involving Campbell Litster and Lee MacLean saw the ball drop to Aaron Moore who beat the keeper with a fine effort from 10 yards out. 0-2.

Moore’s second and Star’s third followed as this time he beat the offside trap on the left channel before curling a tremendous shot into the far corner leaving the keeper with no chance. 0-3.

The Lochgilphead side should have been further ahead, but some excellent goalkeeping from the Carlton stopper, including a save from an Andy Weir spot kick, kept his side just about in it. And there was cause for concern when Carlton found the net to make the score 1-3.

Star wrestled back control late on though, playing good possession football, before Aaron Moore completed his hat trick with a fine free kick from 20 yards which left the otherwise excellent Carlton keeper with no chance. 1-4.

This was a welcome three points for Star in testing conditions on their last away game of the season. The Lochgilphead side have five league games and a cup tie at home still to play and will look to build on this performance with three points in a crucial Argyll derby at home to Dunoon tomorrow (Saturday). The game is scheduled at the Ropework and kicks off at 1pm.