Star are routed by Dunoon in Argyll derby cup defeat
Red Star welcomed Argyll neighbours Dunoon to the Lochgilphead Joint Campus last Saturday for a Centenary Cup tie - but were left to reflect on a five-goal defeat.
Before the match, both teams paid their respects to Lochgilphead footballer Hugh Fletcher, who passed away late last month, by observing a minute’s silence.
Once the match got underway, the RJD-sponsored Star put in easily their worst performance of the season as they shipped five goals without reply.
The opening half hour proved a scrappy affair with neither team having much fluency but it was Dunoon who looked more likely to open the scoring and did so when the ball broke to their striker who was able to finish despite the best efforts of Leon Murphy in the Star goal.
The home side were struggling to get much going but could have equalised when Fraser Talbot, deputising in midfield for the injured Aaron Moore, struck a powerful effort which was well saved by the Dunoon keeper.
The visitors deservedly doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Star once again gave away cheap possession and the visitors took full advantage to go in at half time 2-0 up at the break.
Into the second half, both sides knew that a third goal would be crucial, and it eventually came for Dunoon who ended the match as a contest just before the hour, after strong play from the visitors down their right saw their winger beat the Star defence far too easily, and finish well at the near post to put the result beyond doubt at 0-3.
The game was extremely stretched towards the end which suited the visitors and they were able to add to their tally with a further two late goals to round off an emphatic 0-5 win.
This result means Red Star will need to beat Cardross away from home to have any chance of progression to the Centenary Cup quarter finals.
Star manager Colin Weir said: “We need to put this match behind us now and move on to the next game.”
Tomorrow (Saturday) Star face another stiff test as they welcome SAFL Premier Division challengers Port Glasgow AFC to the Joint Campus in the league. Kick off is 1pm.