Red Star 2007 dazzle in Dunoon
Red Star Youths travelled to Cowal to take on Dunoon, looking to continue their good form in the West Region Development League.
The weather was frosty and bright and the Dunoon Grammar school pitch was in good condition.
The away team were doing all the pressing in the opening quarter, but to the frustration of coaches Philips and Tustin, the Dunoon keeper pulled off a few super saves.
His luck turned, however, in the 20th minute, when a Kyle Danson corner was swung over and the keeper could only palm it into his own net.
The goal lifted Star’s confidence and good work from Ben Smith on the left meant his angled shot across the box could only be pushed out to the lurking Cammy Lewis to roll in from six yards in the 28th minute to take the score to 0-2.
The Red Star team had a settled look about it now with Jae Caskie and Nairn Jackson commanding in defence, ably supported by the driving runs of Calum Green, who was now also winning the aerial battles.
The second half started with two good chances falling to
Dunoon, but keeper Struan Urquhart was assured with his handling and positioning.
Green, Danson and Murray MacDonald’s pace and physicality had been causing a panic in the home side for most of the game.
After a good through-ball from Lewis Cameron, the Dunoon defence hesitated one time too many as Murray MacDonald raced onto the ball to round the keeper and make it 0-3 in the 48th minute.
With Dunoon now getting stretched in the wider areas, a neat flick from Zander Stewart allowed MacDonald to race down the wing and crash in his 54th minute second goal from the 18 yard-line to make it 0-4 for the visitors
Dunoon, to their credit, never let their heads drop and following a good spell of possession and passing, an uncharacteristic slip from Jackson allowed the Dunoon striker to race in on goal and finish well to make it 1-4.
Fifth goal
With the industrious Benji Tustin linking well with substitute Geordie Todd, the Dunoon defence blinked just long enough to see Kyle Danson pounce on a slack pass and unleash a wicked right foot drive into the top corner giving Red Star their fifth goal of the day.
But it didn’t stop there. Red Star were now winning most of the physical clashes and a nice lobbed ball from sub Lewis Graham allowed Murray MacDonald to out-muscle his marker to hammer home a left foot volley in some style.
With the game drawing to a close Ben Smith decided to celebrate his birthday with an extra present, latching on to a through-ball on the left, slipping inside the Dunoon right-back before slotting coolly under the now despairing keeper.
The full time result was 1 – 7 to Red Star.
It was a good three points to gain and the coaches were satisfied with a good away performance.
It was nice to see the unfortunate Kieron Blair making the trip to support his team despite his injury.
A speedy recovery will be a tonic for all.
MacDonald may have earned the Match Ball, but man of the match was Calum Green.
So it was a chirpy and excited group that made the mini-bus journey back home to Lochgilphead.