Star stutter to damaging loss in indisciplined performance

Newtongrange Star's lingering hopes of Super League success took a massive blow on a day when the story of the match was one of yellow and red cards and not goals.


Broxburn Athletic returned to the scene of their Fife and Lothians Cup defeat back in November to take on Newtongrange Star, who have lost only once at home in the Super League this season. The visitors were buoyed by an East Of Scotland Cup win last week at Carnoustie  ( subject to protest) sit comfortably mid table and held a Star at home in August.  The home team still have a chance of championship success but will have to continue their fine home league form if they are to put further pressure on Kelty Hearts and Bo'ness United ( these teams met today in a crunch match in Fife). Star played well last Saturday at Linlithgow Rose and might well have taken more than the single point they gained from their draw.

Before kick off Star lost Swaney, injured in the warm up and he was replaced by Gillon with Deland added to the substitutes. The game kicked off in a cold south-east wind more akin to November than May and Star had the advantage of that wind in the first half.

Both teams took a long time to settle but Star had an early corner, before Broxburn's Millar set up Donaldson who headed straight at Renton in the home goal.  Broxburn won a series of free kicks and corners in the early stages but Young's delivery found no one on the end. Noble put in a fine cross for Star but Kris Renton couldn't get on the end of it.

After sixteen minutes, the visitors had a strong penalty chain turned down and Miller booked for simulation. Referee Peter Stuart had a fine view of the incident and the yellow card was the first of ten he would brandish, in addition to two reds, on a busy afternoon for the whistler !

The game was scrappy with Broxburn having slightly the better of things with Cormack on the left, and Keast through the middle,  looking dangerous. 

Five minutes before the break the home side had Renton to thank when the keeper made a terrific stop from a Miller shot, after good work by Cormack.

The crowd welcomed the chance to get a warm drink at half time as the football had created little excitement.

Half Time: Newtongrange Star 0; Broxburn Athletic  0

Star were forced into a change at the break with Noble replaced by Deland at left back.

Newtongrange started the half on the front foot befitting a team needing a win badly. After fifty one minutes, a fine move involving Wilson and Renton gave Cropley a shooting chance but Maley in Athletic's goal, spread his not inconsiderable frame to deny him.

It was an ill tempered affair and the referee was constantly reaching for his cards.

Star made a change by bringing on Chris King to replace Wilson - but within minutes the midfield player was himself substituted by M King,  after sustaining a heavy knock!

A Cherrie cross nearly caught Maley out but he eventually tipped the ball away at the second attempt.

As the game became more and more indisciplined Cherrie received a straight red for a rash tackle on Willems - perhaps this was a bit harsh and a yellow might have been more appropriate.

With time running out and it looking like a scoreless draw, Broxburn sub Gray fired in a shot from fully 30 yards, which Renton in the home goal misjudged and Athletic had a winner.

Well into added time, Kris Renton got a straight red and Nitten finished with nine men!!

This match was never a classic and Athletic probably deserved the points for their first half performance. Star were poor on the day and their discipline broke down completely as their frustration showed.

Best on the day was Willems at the back for Athletic - a cut above anyone else on show. He strolled through the ninety minutes and showed composure and no little skill. Keast ran all afternoon and Cormack had a fine first half. Tolmie and Dun were their usual solid selves for Star.

The referee had a thankless task but the players left him little option at times.

Final Score : Newtongrange Star 0; Broxburn Athletic 1

Next up for Star is a must win game at Bo'ness United on Wednesday while Broxburn entertain Sauchie next Saturday .

Teams
Newtongrange Star
K Renton, Gillon, Noble, Tolmie, Dunn, Thomson, Jamieson, Cherrie, Kris Renton, Cropley and Wilson Subs Kerr, C King, M King, Dekand and Amos
Broxburn Athletic
Maley, Locke, Young, Willems, Rarity, Scott, Manson, Miller, Keast, Donaldson and Cormack
Subs Munn, Gray and Flockhart

Referee  Stuart, Assistants Radev and Williamson   

Gordon Baird