Star return to action with away win
Lochgilphead Red Star travelled to Station Park, Cardross, last Saturday to play their first competive match since February last year in the rearranged Jimmy Marshall Cup Group D stage.
In an understandably tense opening 10 minutes, both sides looked slightly nervous as the teams got to grips with the game after the long lay-off.
It was Star who took the lead after 12 minutes when Ciaran McPhie was quick to capitalise on a slip from the Cardross defender before racing clear and finishing emphatically past the home side’s keeper. 0-1. Star lost the services of Callum McGuinness after just 18 minutes thanks to a groin strain so manager Colin Weir opted to give Euan Finlay the nod up front for the remainder of the game.
Star should have doubled their lead before the break when Joseph Harper released Stuart MacLean, who found his effort blocked.
The rebound fell to McPhie, who missed the target from just inside the box, citing a bobble for the misplaced effort and it remained 0-1 at the break.
Into the second half and Red Star doubled their lead when Ciaran McPhie won a free kick on the edge of the box after a bizarre incident involving dissent from the Cardross keeper.
McPhie stepped up and took the free kick, finding the back of the net with the aid of a deflection off the goalkeeper to make it 0-2.
Star were in control now and added a third after neat play involving Stuart MacLean and Euan Finlay.
This time Finlay found the bottom corner with a neat finish for his first Red Star goal.
Penalty
Cardross kept battling and gave themselves a glimmer of hope with 15 minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty after Star failed to clear their lines. 1-3.
The last goal of the match was the best, with an excellent passing move started by Jake Weir in goals, worked through to Lee MacLean in midfield before eventually falling to Stuart MacLean, who got the goal his all-round play deserved.
Star saw out the game in relative comfort with the back three of Coll McCallum, Aaron Moore and Andy Weir remaining resolute throughout.
Red Star welcome Dunoon Amateurs tomorrow, Saturday May 29, to Lochgilphead Joint Campus for their second of three group matches.
Kick-off is at 1pm, with local referee Jimmy Litster in charge.
The third Kilberry Loop Sportive will go ahead on Saturday August 7, the organisers have confirmed.
This 40-mile ride, organised by Mid Argyll Triathlon and Cycle Club and registered with British Cycling, has been a firm favourite with cyclists of all ages and abilities since it was first staged in 2018.
Starting at The Gather, Tarbert, the sportive route first takes cyclists north, out of the village, on the A83 before heading onto the B8024 single track road. For competitive cyclists this is a challenging route, but for those who are taking it a bit easier there are lots of photo opportunities as breathtaking views over Jura, Islay and Gigha are around every corner.
Cyclists then head east before following the West Loch Tarbert coast road north, past Tarbert Golf Club, before turning back onto the A83 to return to The Gather.
Event organiser John Hardie said he was ‘thrilled and delighted’ to be getting back to cycling following the cancellation of the 2020 event due to the pandemic. He continued: ‘Thanks go to our sponsors Tarbert Enterprise Company, Tarbert Harbour Authority and William Duncan and Co for their continued support.’
To find out more about the Kilberry Loop Sportive, including booking your place, visit British Cycling’s website.