Star Eliminate High Flying Rose

Despite playing for fifty minutes with ten men, Newtongrange Star ran out worthy winners against their local rivals thanks to a fabulous effort by Kris Renton and a late counter from Craig Thomson.

Bonnyrigg Rose took the short hop to New Victoria Park to meet Newtongrange Star in a 3rd Round tie in the DJ Laing East of Scotland Cup. Both sides had good away Super League victories last Saturday, Star at Musselburgh and Rose in Angus, at Broughty Athletic. This was a keenly anticipated Derby after Star had eliminated Arniston Rangers and Rose, again in Angus, had scrapped past Downfield. When the clubs clashed in the Super League back in August, Rose won easily at New Dundas Park. Form pointed very much to league leaders Rose progressing to the quarter finals but form doesn't count for much in Derby games. However, Rose have enjoyed a great deal of success against Star in recent seasons and have been the team to beat this season.

There was a good crowd in attendance to see McGachie have the first effort on goal- a weak shot which Keiron Renton in the Star goal fielded comfortably. In Star's first attack Motion and Morris combined well to create a corner which came to nothing.

The game was littered with errors in the early stages as both sides sought to gain the upper hand in midfield.

Rose dominated possession, but it was Star who threatened next when Tulloch headed just wide from a Cherrie free kick and then a poorly placed Hoskins defensive header nearly let Morris in.

With thirteen minutes played, Rose's Turner sent in a cross with which the usually reliable Thomson failed to deal and the ball fell to Archibald,  but he shot straight at Renton.

For the next fifteen minutes Rose dominated play with Star struggling to get out of their own half. The visitors won a series of free kicks and corners but couldn't work the home goalkeeper often enough -although McIntosh had a header cleared off the line from a Nelson corner.

However, after thirty two minutes Renton was called into action, making a fine save from a Stewart header.

Star's sole attacking success in that period was when Tolmie headed into the side net from a Currie corner.

With thirty nine minutes on the clock, Star were reduced to ten men when Motion received a straight red for violent conduct - he appeared to elbow Turner in the face in an off the ball incident.

This seemed to spur Star on though and Renton and Wilson combined to create a great chance for Morris -  but Andrews saved well.

Right on the break Turner got on the end of a Donaldson cross but his effort was straight at Renton.

Rose dominated the first forty five minutes but lacked a cutting edge and only a fine stop by Andrews kept them level at the break.

Half Time Newtongrange Star 0; Bonnyrigg Rose 0

The second period promised to be difficult for Star with ten men, but they took a surprise lead after 50 minutes. Thomson played a long cross from the right which went over Moyes' head. KRIS RENTON controlled it brilliantly before slipping it past Andrews. Against the run of play but a brilliant piece of skill by the big front man!

The visitors looked shocked having had so much possession in the first forty five minutes.

After fifty six minutes Rose nearly drew level - Hoskins' well struck free kick coming back off the post with Renton helpless.

Both sides made changes as Rose pushed for the equaliser but it never looked likely until with nine minutes remaining Renton made two terrific stops in a minute. The first from substitute McLaren, which he turned away for a corner. The second from an Archibald  header from the resultant corner.

The visitors tried everything but it wasn't their night and McIntosh was booked late on for simulation.

With 90 minutes on the clock, Star secured their win when THOMSON got on the end of a Renton cross from the right and at the second attempt, forced the ball home.

This was a game that Rose looked sure to win when Star were reduced to ten men, but the home side frustrated them in the second half and ended worthy winners. Best for Star were Thomson and Renton although they were well served by their busy midfield, solid centre backs and goalkeeper Renton made vital stops. Rose didn't fire on the night although they tried hard and Turner never stopped running. They just ran out of ideas.

Next up for both sides are Super League matches. Rose entertain Musselburgh Athletic in another Derby, while Star host Hill of Beath Hawthorn.

Final Score Newtongrange Star 2; Bonnyrigg Rose 0

Teams
Newtongrange Star
Keiron Renton, Thomson, Noble, Tolmie, Tulloch, Currie, Morris, Cherrie, Kris Renton, Wilson and Motion Subs Deland, Dunn, Cropley, McManus and McQueen
Bonnyrigg Rose
Andrews, Archibald, Donaldson, Stewart, Moyes, Hoskins, Turner, Kidd, McIntosh, Nelson and McGachie Subs Horne, Tobin, Drummond, Gray and McLaren
Referee Duncan Smith

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter