Star remain unbeaten

Sauchie Juniors were the latest visitors to New Victoria Park for round 6 of the McBookie.com Superleague.

Before the game even started, the supporters were treated to the unusual sight of referee Simon MacLean running to the far end of the pitch to invite the Sauchie players back into the changing rooms - kick off time was fast approaching and the visitors were still warming up.

The game eventually kicked off over 5 minutes late and Star were quickly into the attack with Thomson firing a shot on goal. A Cherrie mistake let the visitors in and the dangerous Cummings saw his effort turned away for a corner.

It was a fairly even game but very physical and both sides had little time on the ball. Star won a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions but the usually deadly Thomson, was unable to work the visitor's keeper. However, as the half wore on Newtongrange began to dominate.

On the half hour,  a Jamieson shot brought out a good save from Sauchie keeper Dolan and a minute later the same player forced the keeper into an even better stop. Sauchie's Tully headed over but the visitors were struggling to get forward. After 37 minutes a good ball from Star's  Cherrie found Jamieson on the right and his cross was met beautifully by Renton. However, Dolan pulled off a brilliant instinctive save to keep the sides level.

After 41 minutes Thomson was booked for a bad tackle on Cummings  - perhaps symptomatic of the physical nature of the game.

Half Time: Newtongrange Star 0; Sauchie Juniors 0

The second half started where the first left off with Cropley seeing yellow after 47 minutes.

Sauchie got a rare glimpse of goal just after the break but Martin shot over.

After 60 minutes Sauchie went down to ten men when Ashe received a straight red for pulling down Mattie King. There was little complaint from the visitors as Ashe clearly denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.

Immediately Star went on the offensive and Jamieson headed across goal when he was well placed to test the keeper.

Against the run off play, Sauchie nearly took the lead after 62 minutes. A Cummings corner was not properly cleared and when the ball found it's way back to the same  player,  his terrific curling shot was brilliantly saved by Renton in the home goal.

After 68 minutes, Star brought on Chris King and it took him only 3 minutes to put them ahead.
McManus played a ball forward which was missed by Kiczynski and fell for King. He widened his angle before cleverly shooting into the far corner past Dolan. The break through was a long time coming but deserved.

To Sauchie's credit they kept pushing forward but with ten men, left holes at the back. Almost inevitably, they got caught out. The pacey Jamieson picked up a clearance on the half way line and drove in on goal before firing Star's second.

There was still time for Boyle to head against a post for Sauchie - but there were no more goals.

This was an exciting game despite the ill tempered nature of it. Star deserved the points but  Sauchie made it difficult for them.

Best for Star were C King and Tolmie and Kerr at the back. Goalkeeper Renton did nothing wrong. Dolan in Sauchie's goal was outstanding and Cummings was always a threat with his vision and touch.

Referee Simon MacLean did well to control a difficult game and got the big decisions right.

Full Time:  Newtongrange Star 2; Sauchie Juniors 0

Gordon Baird - Neutral Reporter