Fine First Half Show Sees Star Secure Win

Newtongrange Star ended their losing run on the back of a strong first half performance when the were totally dominant. However, with the points seemingly secured at the break, they let Carnoustie back into the game in the second half and might well have paid for it if the visitors had taken their chances.

Newtongrange Star were looking to end a three game losing run in the McBookie.com East Super League when they welcomed Carnoustie Panmure to New Victoria Park today. The home side sit on the fringes of the relegation battle, while Panmure are further down the table near the foot, but significantly have played less games than others around them. The visitors drew their last league fixture at home to title challengers Bo'ness United, and were also successful last Saturday away to Maud in the GA Engineering Cup. When the teams met earlier in the season at Laing Park, Star won with the only goal of the game.

Thankfully the rain stayed off although there was a strong wind blowing down the park. Star were straight into the attack and Currie tested the hands of goalkeeper Cormack in the visitor's goal with an early free kick.

Panmure's first foray forward saw McIlravey over hit his cross with players racing forward from midfield.

Star were starting to win the midfield battle and after nine minutes, Morris found debutant  Cultress wide on the left and his delicate through ball nearly played Wilson in. It was a sign of things to come with Cultress looking dangerous on Star's left wing. After eleven minutes, Kris Renton tried a shot but it was a weak effort. With nearly a quarter of an hour gone, Nitten's Cherrie tried a shot from range, but it was high and wide. A minute later Star should have taken the lead. The move started on the right and when the ball found its way out to Cultress his pass picked out Wilson, but his measured effort slipped past the far post. In Star's next attack Morris' through ball almost released Kris Renton but he couldn't get on the end of it. A goal looked inevitable and after 21 minutes it came. Once again a ball from the right found Cultrees free on the left, this time when his cross reached WILSON, he managed to scramble it home. Star were in total control and minutes later Currie set Cultress free to race in on Cormack's goal - but surprisingly the wide mans effort showed little conviction and it was cleared. However, the second goal was delayed only for a minute and after 28 minutes KRIS RENTON was free at the far post and he finished well. Star were playing some fine attacking football and Carnoustie were not at the races at this point.

However, things nearly changed with thirty five minutes played.  Scott played in a great scooped cross and Black was on the end of it. However, from about ten yards his effort was well wide - it was a great chance and was a key moment in Panmure getting a foothold into the game. However, It clearly gave the visitors encouragement and a few minutes later McCabe and Black combined well before the latter produced a weak finish.

With half time looming, Currie produced a great through ball but Morris couldn't quite reach it before Wilson put an effort into the side net.

It was a fine first half display from the home side and they thoroughly deserved their half time lead. They dominated the midfield and in Cultrees had a player showing some fine touches when served by Currie and Cherrie.

Half Time Newtongrange Star 2; Carnoustie Panmure 0

Neither side made any changes at the break and Star were quickly on the attack with Currie nearly finding Morris with a neat square pass. 

However, the break seemed to have worked for Panmure and they started to look a better side in the second half. After sixty minutes, they should have pulled a goal back when Roche got his head on the end of a McIlravey corner, but he didn't work Keiron Renton in the home goal.

With sixty the minutes played, some fine play by Morris ended with Wilson having a shooting chance but his effort as well off target.

Panmure were clearly much more in the game at this stage and it took a great intervention by Dunn to prevent them pulling a goal back after a great run by the dangerous Scott.

The visitors brought on fresh legs in Gersock and Gray and they combined well with Scott before Gersock put the final effort wide. Carnoustie were now the more dangerous side and Star welcomed some respite when Motion crossed for Kris Renton and although he couldn't convert, the ball broke for Wilson who blasted over.

With seven minutes left, Carnoustie had another decent chance but McCabe shot straight at Keiron Renton in Star's goal after Scott had again been creative on the right.

The game ended with Panmure on the offensive, firstly Scott shooting wide before Smith did the same with a last minute free kick. 

Star deserved the points for their first half performance when they played some neat football. They will be disappointed in the way they fell out of the game in the second half. Cultress showed up well in the first half hour but faded out of the game before being substituted in the second period. They were solid at the back and well served in the central area by Currie, Cherrie and Wilson.

Panmure took too long to get started in this match, and with fellow strugglers Tayport and Broughty both winning, this defeat drags them deeper into the relegation dogfight. They missed vital chances at key moments and will be disappointed their second half performance didn't get them any points. They were well served by Scott who had pace and was always dangerous and looked a good player.

Next week Star visit Camelon Juniors while Carnoustie continue on the road at Broxburn Athletic.

The refereeing team did well and once again, George Calder impressed getting all of the big decisions correct and he handled the game skilfully bringing a sensible approach to his refereeing.

Full Time  Newtongrange Star 2; Carnoustie Panmure 0

Teams
Newtongrange Star
Keiron Renton, McManus, Noble, Tolmie, Dunn, Currie, Morris, Cherrie, Kris Renton, Wilson and Cultress Subs Motion and McQueen

Carnoustie Parnmure
Cormack, Buggins, MacDonald, Millar, Roche, Roberts, McIlravey, Black, McCabe, Smith and Mark Scott  Subs Gersock, Gray, Cook, McGeehan and Neath


Referee George Calder, Nicky Marshall, Marc Copeland 

Gordon Baird
Neutral  Reporter