The game kicked off on a very tight and bumpy pitch and it was definitely not the day for free flowing football, with the first half to reflecting this and very few chances being created by both teams.
The Ardrishaig Community Trust and SJB builders-sponsored Red Star tried to create openings in the Cardross defence but found conditions underfoot difficult and the opponents a hard nut to crack.
Chances were limited to set pieces and shots from outside of the box but nothing either keeper couldn’t handle.
At half time it was nil-nil.
Manager Ian Philips changed formation for the second half, pushing the energetic Kyle Danson further forward and dropping young Zach Campbell into the middle of the park.
This immediately paid off when Kyle was sent clear through on goal and rounded the keeper to open the scoring.
The second goal came not long afterwards and it was an absolute belter. Kieran Caskie threaded the ball into the channel and Kyle Danson rifled the ball into the top corner; definitely a contender for goal of the season.
Red Star were now pressing and looking for a third but were to be caught out after a slack pass from midfield was intercepted allowing Cardross an easy tap-in at the back post to halve the deficit.
This goal gave a new lease of life to the hosts and they were unlucky not to equalise after getting in behind Red Star’s defence only to be thwarted by an excellent save from Leon Murphy.
That would be the last time Cardross really troubled Red Star’s back four comprising of Tustin, Smith, Hoad and Barclay, as the stuffing was knocked cleanly from the hosts after Kyle Danson scored his third by getting in behind the left back and lobbing the keeper from a very tight angle.
The game was all Red Star now and it wouldn’t be long before Star scored a fourth.
Young debutant Kayden Chamberlain was up-ended 30 yards from goal and up stepped Danson to fire the ball into the box, evading everyone and nestling it into the net to cap off a fantastic second half display from the Lochgilphead side.
"This was definitely a game of two halves," said the coaches following the match. "The first being forgettable and the second half much improved.
"Conditions weren’t the best and Cardross battled hard in the first half which suited them.
"The boys listened to the half time talk and played so much better. Our squad was stretched again with a predominantly young team taking the field and performing well. Excellent experience was gained."
Man of the match was Woody Hoad.
