Cup hotshots inflict Star’s first league loss in months
Lochgilphead side tackle tough opponents but are pipped at the post
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Red Star made the trip to Renfrewshire last Saturday and came home with their first league defeat since September against a good Neilston outfit.
The Lochgilphead side knew to expect a tough game against the side still going strong in the Scottish Cup, reaching the last 16 stage with an impressive win over Bannockburn AFC, and were under pressure for the majority of the first half.
Neilston’s direct style was proving hard to deal with and they forced the Star defensive pairing of Coll McCallum and Fraser Talbot into some excellent last-ditch tackles to keep the hosts from breaking the deadlock.
Talbot was also on hand to clear the ball off the line after 15 minutes when a Neilston goal looked a certainty.
Against the run of play it was Red Star who took the lead after a counter attack saw captain Aaron Moore released on the right channel, and he drove into the box before getting his cross in; the ball cannoned in off an unfortunate Neilston defender and the ball ended up in the back of the net to put Star 0-1 up.
Star had more of a foothold in the game now and competed much better to ensure they went in a goal ahead at the break.
Into the second half, Neilston continued to have the better chances hitting the crossbar before their striker forced Leon Murphy into an excellent save after a powerful effort from just inside the box.
Star’s defence was finally breached when the Neilston winger got on the end of a cross, rising above Ryan Caskie to head beyond Leon Murphy to make the score 1-1 with 20 minutes remaining.
This stung the RJDsponsored Star into action somewhat, and it was an end-to-end contest from here, Star’s best chance falling to Stuart MacLean when he beat the offside trap, however, the Neilston keeper did well to save the striker’s shot with his feet to keep the scores level.
It was Neilston who grabbed the winning goal with eight minutes remaining.
After Star partially cleared from a corner, Neilston’s midfielder did well to pick his spot from the edge of the box and fire into the top corner to give his side a 2-1 win.
Red Star do not have time to feel sorry for themselves and must pick themselves up quickly as they start their Centenary Cup campaign tomorrow (Saturday) with a home game against Argyll rivals Dunoon.
The match is at the Joint Campus and kicks off at 1pm.