Missed Chances See Rangers Make Cup Exit 

Despite the scoreline Arniston Rangers created a number of good chances against Super League Newtongrange Star and with a little more poise and luck in front of goal would have run them much closer. Star scored early on and were never in danger of losing but Arniston finished the stronger team and will look back on this match as a missed opportunity to spring a shock. 

After last weeks wipe out of Junior football in the east, it was local derby day in the DJ Laing East of Scotland Cup as near neighbours Arniston Rangers were the visitors to New Victoria Park to take on Newtongrange Star. Arniston arrived on the back of a defeat in the Scottish Junior Cup Fourth Round at the hands of Kilwinning Rangers in their only match in 2016. Star have only played one game more in 2016 losing narrowly to Super League Champions Kelty Hearts and two weeks ago, conceding a last minute equaliser at Sauchie Juniors.  

Star have won this competition twelve times, the last time being in 2011. Rangers have also been successful with seven cup wins to their credit. They last came close in 2014 when the lost in the final to Sauchie. 

A good crowd were present on a cold afternoon, perfect for football on a pitch that looked very playable despite the recent wet and windy weather. 

Straight from the kick off Star went into the attack and with barely a minute on the clock opened the scoring. Renton broke free on the left and his fine cut back found CROPLEY who fired home - the worst possible start for the lower league side!

To their credit Arniston regrouped quickly.  Early on there was some fine interplay between between Jeffrey and McFadden giving Somerville a chance to cross but his delivery was poor. A minute later Jeffrey tried a shot from range but it was well wide. 

With eleven minutes played Arniston won a free kick on the right. Faulds swung the ball over and Kateleza met it, but his effort was easily fielded by McQueen in the home goal. 

Star's build up play was very deliberate and they were limited to shots from range by Currie and Wilson. 

Rangers were giving as good as they got and Murray might well have done better but for  slipping after a great run down Arniston's right. 

After 42 minutes,  Star doubled their lead. Arniston won a free kick on their right and when the ball was cleared it broke to THOMSON who ran fifty yards before slipping his shot under Cornet - Rangers defenders should have done better !

Just on half time Cornet pulled off a fine stop from Renton after some great interplay between Currie and the big striker. 

Arniston must have been disappointed at the break as there was little between the teams. 

Half Time  Newtongrange Star 2; Arniston Rangers 0

There were no changes to either side at the break 

Arniston started the second half brightly and McTernan created a shooting chance for McFadden - but he couldn't test McQueen. 

Star created an opening next when Renton played in Noble but a great covering tackle denied him. 

With fifty two minutes on the clock, Coult put in a fine cross and Renton looked sure to score but he smashed his effort against the cross bar with Cornet beaten. A minute later and McTernan had a great chance for Rangers but missed his header. Rangers were creating half chances and openings but couldn't find a finish. 

Star produced the best move of the game in 58 minutes. Some fine inter passing left Cropley free in the area and before he could shoot he was brought down. Referee Duncan Smith pointed straight to the spot and THOMSON stepped up to score his own second and Star's third. 

Rangers could have given up but they kept playing their football and Kateleza combined with Jeffrey to force a fine stop from McQueen who was in fine form. 

Not to be outdone Cornet pulled off a fine stop minutes later at the other end - this time from Renton. 

Arniston were still trying hard and Leslie created a chance but again McTernan couldn't get on the end - it was one of those days when you felt Rangers would never score despite creating openings. 

Both sides made changes to bring on fresh legs and at last Arniston scored. McFadden crossed and MCTERNAN forced it home at the far post with seven minutes remaining. The same player might have scored five minutes later when he got on the end of a long throw but McQueen saved well. 

With time running out Arniston's sub Doig fired an effort against the cross bar from twenty yards with McQueen helpless. 

Star were hanging on as Arniston were finishing strongly but there were no more goals! 

Arniston will feel that they did create chances and might well have had more goals but Star scored a vital times and deserved the win. 

Best for Star were Thomson and McQueen with Arniston well served by Cornet, Somerville and Murray 

Full Time   Newtongrange Star 3; Arniston Rangers 1

Teams
Newtongrange Star

McQueen, Murray, Noble, Tolmie, Tulloch, Currie, Thomson, Wilson, Renton, Coult and Cropley Subs  McManus, King, Cherrie and Dunn

Arniston Rangers

Cornet, Pullen, Murray, Callaghan, Faulds, Jeffrey, Leslie, McTernan, McFadden, Kateleza and Somerville  Subs  Doig, Moffat, Garden, McCaul and Ritchie 

Referee 

Duncan Smith 

Gordon Baird 

Neutral Reporter