Star Slip to Shock Defeat

Despite hitting the frame of the goal four times and creating a number of good chances,  Newtongrange Star went down to a penalty converted by Musselburgh captain Jackie Myles in an entertaining match under the floodlights tonight.

Musselburgh Athletic made the short trip to New Victoria Park to face local rivals Newtongrange Star looking to pick up their first Super League points of the season. The home side has started promisingly and sit joint top of the table at this early stage of the season. Musselburgh are a much changed side from their successful team of last season and desperately needed to start getting results to build confidence. The game saw former Star favourite Sean Jamieson return to his old club for the first time, while Star have a host of former Athletic performers in their ranks.

Musselburgh were first to strike for goal with Jamieson trying his luck from fully thirty yards - but he was off target.

Star nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute. From a Currie free kick the ball found its way to Motion -  but his effort struck the cross bar.

Musselburgh were not looking like a side struggling at the foot of the table in the early exchanges and won a couple of corners which came to nothing.

Thomson was prominent for the home team and a fine run and shot won a corner for Star. Thomson took the kick himself and created a half chance for McManus. A minute later a Currie corner for Star gave Tolmie a chance but he shot over.

After 21 minutes Athletic took the lead. Jamieson took the ball down the right and when he cut into the box he was brought down by Tulloch. Referee Alan Hogg had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and yellow carding Tulloch. MYLES stepped forward and confidently beat Renton from the spot - a little against the run of play.

Newtongrange were stung by this reverse and took the game to Musselburgh. Firstly,  Currie had a good shot well saved by Jackson in the visitor's goal and a few minutes later Mathu King looked certain to score, but McLeish somehow got back to clear his effort off the line. Next to try his luck was Motion who fired wide, before the same player struck the upright with a swerving shot.

Five minutes before the break Motion put King through but again Jackson pulled off a fine save.

Half time Newtongrange Star 0; Musselburgh Athletic 1

No changes to either side at half time.

Star went straight into the attack and Cropley should have done better when played in by Currie but he was off target. Thomson was next to shoot wide before McManus headed over from a Thomson corner. Star were totally in control and Musselburgh were finding it hard to relieve the constant pressure.

After fifty four minutes, King brought out another fine save from goalkeeper Jackson and from the ensuing corner, King again fired against the post!

Just when Musselburgh seemed to weathering the storm, Thomson tried an effort from fully thirty yards which struck the crossbar. 

With nearly an hour on the clock, a Musselburgh break out saw Palizcka carry the ball nearly fifty yards,  before a poor touch gave Renton the opportunity to turn his shot just wide.

Both teams used substitutes as the game became increasingly stretched but Star seemed to run out of ideas and the visitors looked increasingly like holding on.

Thomson and Currie kept prompting for Star but they lacked a finisher and with Jackson and his defence in no mood to concede - they became increasingly frustrated.

The last action of the game saw Jamieson blast wide for Athletic.

It was one of those nights for Star as Musselburgh rode their luck a little and stuck to their task.

Best for the visitors were Jackson, Hamilton and Gibson with Myles leading by example and Davie and Jamieson busy all evening. Thomson worked hard to create for Star and their defence were solid other than for the goal.

Referee Hogg and his assistants let the game flow and got the big decisions right.

Both sides are away on Saturday - Star at St Andrews United while Musselburgh visit Sauchie Juniors. Saturday's games see an end to a period of 5 matches in 15 days and the clubs will now get a breather as they see an end to midweek games until April.

Full time:  Newtongrange Star 0; Musselburgh Athletic 1


Teams
Newtongrange Star
Keiron Renton, John McManus, Steve Noble, Blair Tolmie, Stephen Tulloch, Lee Currie, Craig Thomson, Gary Cherrie, M King, Jordan Cropley, Kevin Motion Subs David Dunn, Kieran Somerville, Jack Wilson, Chris King and James McQueen

Musselburgh Athletic
Murray Jackson, Jackie Myles, Gary Hamilton, Scott Gibson, Kevin McLeish, Sean Jamieson, Steven Thomson, Jed Davie, Sean Conaghan, Sean Palizcka and Jack Bruce Subs Alex Christie,John Hall, Burrows, Conlan and Kameran Tufail 

Referee Alan Hogg
Assistant Referee Mark Rennie
Assistant Steven Wilson

Gordon Baird - Neutral Reporter