Red Star take down Port Glasgow in eight-goal thriller

Miller ghosted past three defenders before crossing for Aitken, who fired his shot past the helpless Port keeper - his first with his right foot in a long while.

Port Glasgow tried to get into the game, but Red Star were not for conceding, with the back three of Benji Tustin, Woody Hoad, Ben Smith and the ever-reliable Leon Murphy in goal,  dealing with anything the opposition had to offer. 

With the half almost over Red Star got their fourth; Keiran Caskie broke free from his marker, drove forward and sent a dangerous cross into the box and Zach Campbell was on hand to guide his header past the keeper and into the net. 

The first half finished 4-0. 

The second half started with Red Star again dominating the ball and creating chances.

The fifth goal came on the 55th minute and it was scored by Zach Campbell.

Caskie played a sublime pass from midfield cutting the port defence wide open and Campbell finished neatly from the edge of the box.

The game seemed to slow down after the fifth and some complacency was evident in a lot of Red Star’s play, which allowed Port some freedom and they created some chances of their own but failed to convert any of them. 

Changes were needed, so Cole Houston, Logan Philips, Gregor Brown, James MacKinnon and Cammy Lewis all came on and they made an instant impact in the game.

MacKinnon came close on a few  occasions, one being an overhead kick which sadly sailed over the bar. 

The next goal arrived shortly afterwards and this time it fell to Cammy Lewis, who latched onto another fine pass from Caskie, and finished in off the far post.
Cammy is making a habit of this which is great for the team and for him.

Chances fell to Logan Philips and Keiran Caskie. First up Philips cut in from the left and fired a shot which looked net bound but cannoned off the bar and was cleared up the park. Caskie’s was much the same as he drove in from the midfield, going past two players before unleashing a pile driver which also struck the bar.

The seventh goal came on 80 minutes, when Red Star moved the ball through the midfield and Kyle Danson delivered a pinpoint pass which saw Zach Campbell control and finish neatly past the keeper, making it Campbell’s third of the day. 

The eighth and final goal arrived with five minutes remaining on the clock, and it was a special goal.

Young Cole Houston, who has only recently been promoted to the first team, picked the ball up 25 yards out, turned his man one way then the other way before burying his shot into the bottom corner.

It was another proud moment for his family, especially his father Iain, who is a past captain of Lochgilphead Red Star, but would be the first to admit he’s never scored a goal as good as Cole’s. 

A spokesperson for the coaches said after the match: “There is a lot to like about this team just now but we must remember how young they are. It’s crucial we keep the balance of youth and experience in the squad. 

“It’s positive for the town as well; we also must acknowledge the hard work from the coaches and players each week, and thank our current sponsors Ardrishiag Community Trust, and the Ardrishaig KGV Park Association who donated a large amount of training equipment to the team. 

“Next week Red Star travel away to take on one of the best teams in the league, Port Glasgow amateurs in what will be a very hard test for the young Red Star team.

“Today’s MOTM was Zach Campbel but we could have had four others for the MOTM, Neily Russell, for his first half performance, Kyle Danson, Craig Miller and Keiran Caskie - all were excellent on the day.”