Star Grab Derby Day Spoils

Newtongrange Star took the lead with a stunning Craig Thomson strike in their first attack at Olivebank today. They went on to dominate most of the first half but then had to deal with a revitalised Musselburgh team after the break. They found themselves level in forty nine minutes and under the cosh, before Kris Renton secured all three points with a fine strike with twelve minutes remaining!

Musselburgh Athletic ended a run of three homes defeats in a row when they best Tayport last week. The "Honest Toun" men have had a decent season and currently lie fifth in the McBookie.com East Super League. Newtongrange Star have had a mixed season and are in mid table. Star and have not won on the road in the league since early November and their last away fixture saw them lose 4-1 at Camelon.  When the sides met earlier in the season at New Victoria Park, a Jackie Myles penalty for Athletic was all that separated the sides.

Star started brightly and with 3 minutes played took the lead. Good interplay between Kris Renton and Motion created a shooting chance for THOMSON, and he lashed the ball home from twenty yards giving Dodds no chance in the home goal.

Minutes later a fine through ball from Currie was chased by Renton, and it took a fine stop by Dodds to prevent a second goal. A minute later Morris shot just wide with Musselburgh looking disorganised in the early stages. With ten minutes played Noble crossed for Renton who headed over this time.

Musselburgh were losing the battle in midfield but after fifteen minutes created a chance. Paliczka's shot was deflected for a corner and from the resultant kick, Gibson's header was headed off the line by Cherrie.

In Star's next attack, a Thomson shot come cross was just over.

With nineteen minutes played, Musselburgh's Jamieson nearly guided home a McLeish free kick.

Star continued to dominate and Motion tried his luck from wide on the left. Next a great run by Morris ended with Noble sending in a swerving shot from the left, that Dodds saw all the way.  A minute later, another fine Thomson cross was headed behind by Porteous who did well to get there before an attacker. Wilson was the next Star player to have a shot, but it was straight at Dodds.

Musselburgh seemed to weathering the storm and Jamieson went close from a cross from the left.

Just before the break Star came close - a Currie free kick gave Motion a shooting chance which Dodds saved well - but the flag had gone up for offside anyway. Morris then fizzed an effort over the bar.

The half ended with a Jamieson shot.

Star dominated the first half and Musselburgh had created very little. Athletic lost star man Thomson midway through the half and he was replaced by Kyle Scott

Half Time
Musselburgh Athletic 0; Newtongrange Star 1

No changed at the break and Nitten's Wilson had the first shot of the second half.

However, Musselburgh looked more up it and after 49 minutes equalised. Paliczka did good work on the right before crossing for Jamison who couldn't quite reach it, but the ball fell kindly for DAVIE who fired home. Paliczka then had a good run on the right which won Burgh a corner.

Star were still dangerous and Renton did well to win a corner as he almost got on the end of a through ball.

A fifty eight minutes, McLeish pulled a good stop out of Renton from a free kick.

With sixty three minutes played, Tulloch did well to block a Renton effort. A minute later, Morris  and Renton combined allowing substitute Cropley a shooting chance, but he fired over. Minutes later a Currie pass gave Cropley another shooting chance, but he put it wide.

Musselburgh should have taken the lead in their next attack. Paliczka and Jamieson combined and the resultant cross was headed past by Kyle Scott -  when he looked certain to give the home side the lead. It was Paliczka's last contribution as he was replaced by Stephen Scott.

The always lively Jamieson tried a curling effort from the left which just went past the far post before Kyle Scott tried something similar minutes later. Davie then produced a good save from Keiron Renton with a fine shot.

Musselburgh were starting to dominate but fell behind for a second time after 78 minutes. Substitute Deland had only just come on when he found KRIS RENTON on the edge of the box and his crisp finish gave Dodds no chance.

Musselburgh had a half chance with seven minutes left but Bracks' header was way off target. At the other end Cropley's cross was headed wide by Morris.

There were no further goals and Star held on for the points which they just about deserved on their first half performance. It was an open game and both teams had periods of domination but Star finished a little more clinically.

Best for Athletic were centre backs Hamilton and Gibson and goalkeeper Dodds. Substitutes Stephen and Kyle Scott both did well and Porteous settled into a game and looks promising. Star were well served by Thomson and Kris Renton worked hard. Currie, Cherrie and Wilson looked good, particularly in the first half.

Both sides are at home in cup ties in midweek. Musselburgh entertain Camelon in the Fife and Lothians while Star host local rivals Bonnyrigg Rose in the East of Scotland Cup - both matches kick off at 6.45 and will be decided by penalties in the event of a draw. 

Full Time Musselburgh Athletic 1; Newtongrange Star 2

Teams
Musselburgh Athletic
Dodds, Myles, Hamilton, Gibson, Thomson, McLeish, Bracks, Davie, Porteous, Jamieson and Paliczka  Subs Stephen Scott, Conlon, Burrows, Kyle Scott and Jackson ( Gk) 
Newtongrange Star
Keiron Renton, Thomson, Noble, Tolmie, Tulloch, Currie, Morris, Cherrie, Kris Renton, Wilson and Motion Subs Deland, Cropley, McManus, Dunn and McQueen

Referee Scott Millar, Assistants Boise Allan and John Brown

Gordon Baird
Neutral  Reporter