The History of Newtongrange Star
1980/81
STORY OF THE SEASON
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    The Star rather stuttered through the early season. They found goals hard to find in the League Cup where Arniston Rangers won the section to progress to the next round. The men from 'up the braes' were in resurgent mood having won promotion back to the A Division the previous season and started the 1980/81 season well. As for the Star, there was a good 5-0 league win over Camelon with goals from Reid (2), Small, Brown and Prentice, but that was followed by six straight defeats to make relegation a clear threat.

    There was welcome distraction in the Scottish Junior Cup though. A trip to Nairn in the first round of the Scottish Junior Cup was successful as goals from Prentice, Small and Balanowski secured a 3-1 victory. Goals from Brown and Prentice saw off Perth Celtic in the next round before a comfortable 5-0 win over Balbeggie with four goals from Gordon Brown and one from Alex Prentice. A fourth round meeting with the beaten finalists from the previous season, Benburb, was a far more difficult draw and so it proved to be as the Star went down 3-0 at home.

    The Star's defence of the Dryborough Cup was ended in the very first round by the old nemesis Arniston Rangers and the teams were to meet again in the final of the Robertson Homes Cup at King's Park, Dalkeith where goals from Tam Tulloch and Gordon Brown put the Star 2-0 up midway through the second half. Former Star player Jazzy Pryde scored a penalty for Arniston Rangers with only a few minutes left, but the Star held on to secure the cup.

    The Star picked up form towards the end of the league campaign to fend off the earlier threat of relegation with wins over Linlithgow Rose (2-1), Sauchie (6-2) and Arniston Rangers (3-0) with goals from Small, Balanowski and Tulloch. Despite this defeat to the Star, the men from Newbyres Park managed to secure second place in the league, a good return on their first season back in the A Division, although they were a good 7 points behind runaway champions Penicuik Athletic.

    Source: The History of Newtongrange Star FC [2010]
LORIMER LEAGUE 'A' DIVISION
Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Penicuik Athletic 22 13 8 1 49 23 +26 34
Arniston Rangers 22 11 5 6 29 22 +7 27
Linlithgow Rose 22 11 4 7 40 27 +13 26
Bonnyrigg Rose 22 9 8 5 35 23 +12 26
Newtongrange Star 22 9 6 7 44 33 +11 24
Bo'ness United 22 6 11 5 30 34 -4 23
Broxburn Athletic 22 7 7 8 31 37 -6 21
Sauchie Juniors 22 7 5 10 24 36 -12 19
Camelon Juniors 22 8 2 12 28 41 -13 18
Tranent Juniors 22 8 0 14 29 31 -2 16
Whitburn Juniors 22 5 5 12 24 36 -12 15
Dalkeith Thistle 22 5 5 12 28 48 -20 15
Relegated from 'A' Division: Whitburn Juniors
Dalkeith Thistle
Promoted to 'A' Division: Livingston United
Ormiston Primrose
Opponents Venue F A Scorers Team Info
Arniston Rangers H 1 0 Hislop McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Dingwall, Grandison, Tulloch, Balanowski, Hislop, Small, Gilmour. Subs: Prentice, Ramsay.
A 3 0 Small, Balanowski, Tulloch McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Dingwall, Grandison, Tulloch, Balanowski, Hislop, Small, Gilmour. Subs: Ramsay, Prentice.
Bo'ness United H 2 2 Balanowski 2 McLafferty, Cousins, Gilmour, Ramsay, Grandison, B. Ross, Balanowski, Brown, Small, Watson, Prentice. Subs: Hislop, Tulloch.
A 2 2 Small, Tulloch McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Ramsay, Dingwall, Balanowski, Small, Hislop, Tulloch, Gilmour. Subs: Prentice, B. Ross.
Bonnyrigg Rose H 0 2   I. Ross, Jones, Grandison, Cropley, Dingwall, Gilmour, Balanowski, Cousins, Small, Watson, Reid. Subs: Tulloch, Prentice.
A 1 1 Hislop McLafferty, Dingwall, Jones, Brown, Ramsay, Grandison, Balanowski, Tulloch, Hislop, Small, B. Ross. Subs: Cousins, Prentice.
Broxburn Athletic H 3 3 OG, Brown, Hislop McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Ramsay, Grandison, Balanowski, Tulloch, Hislop, B. Ross, Prentice. Subs: Small, Dingwall.
A 4 5 Watson 2, Balanowski, OG McLafferty, Jones, Grandison, Cropley, Ramsay, Gilmour, Balanowski, Cousins, Small, Watson, Hislop. Subs: B. Ross, Dingwall.
Camelon Juniors H 5 0 Reid 2, Prentice 2, Brown I. Ross, Jones, Russell, Ramsay, Grandison, B. Ross, Reid, Brown, Small, Tulloch, Prentice. Subs: Watson, Hislop.
A 4 1 Brown, Small, Watson, Balanowski I. Ross, Cousins, Tulloch, Grandison, Ramsay, Brown, Balanowski, Watson, Hislop, Gilmour, Prentice. Subs: Small, Jones.
Dalkeith Thistle H 1 1 Hislop McLafferty, Cousins, Grandison, Cropley, Ramsay, Brown, Balanowski, Tulloch, Hislop, Gilmour, Prentice. Subs: Small, Gilmour.
A 1 0 Hislop McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Dingwall, Grandison, Gilmour, Balanowski, Hislop, Small, B. Ross. Subs: Ramsay, Prentice.
Linlithgow Rose H 2 1 Brown, Hislop McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Grandison, Ramsay, Brown, Balanowski, Brown, Hislop, Gilmour, Small. Subs: Prentice, Cropley.
A 1 2 Brown I. Ross, Jones, Russell, Dingwall, Ramsay, Gilmour, Small, Brown, Reid, Tulloch, Prentice. Subs: Watson, Cropley.
Penicuik Athletic H 2 3 Small, Reid McLafferty, Fallon, Grandison, Dingwall, Ramsay, Gilmour, Reid, Watson, Small, Tulloch, Prentice. Subs: Cousins, B. Ross.
A 1 2 Brown I. Ross, Cousins, Jones, Grandison, Ramsay, Brown, Balanowski, Tulloch, Hislop, Gilmour, Small. Subs: McLafferty, Dingwall.
Sauchie Juniors H 6 2 Hislop 3, Tulloch, Cousins, Small I. Ross, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Dingwall, Grandison, Tulloch, Balanowski, Hislop, Small, Gilmour. Subs: Prentice, Ramsay.
A 1 1 Watson McLafferty, Fallon, Grandison, Dingwall, Ramsay, Gilmour, Balanowski, Watson, Reid, Tulloch, Small. Subs: Cousins, Jones.
Tranent Juniors H 2 1 Hislop, Small McLafferty, Jones, Grandison, Cropley, Ramsay, Tulloch, Hislop, Cousins, Small, Watson, Prentice. Subs: Balanowski, Gilmour.
A 1 0 Hislop McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Ramsay, Dingwall, Tulloch, Balanowski, Hislop, Small, Prentice. Subs: Gilmour, B. Ross.
Whitburn Juniors H 2 3 Brown, Balanowski McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Ramsay, Grandison, Balanowski, Tulloch, Hislop, Small, Gilmour. Subs: B. Ross, Dingwall.
A 0 2   I. Ross, Fallon, Jones, Dingwall, Ramsay, Gilmour, Reid, Brown, Hislop, Tulloch, Small. Subs: Cousins, Russell.
SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Info
1 A Nairn St Ninian 3 1 Prentice, Small, Balanowski McLafferty, Jones, Grandison, Cropley, Ramsay, Watson, Hislop, Cousins, Small, Gilmour, Prentice. Subs: Tulloch, Grandison.
2 H Perth Celtic 2 0 Brown, Prentice McLafferty, Cousins, Tulloch, Grandison, Ramsay, Brown, Balanowski, Watson, Small, Gilmour, Prentice. Subs: Hislop, Jones.
3 H Balbeggie Juniors 5 0 Brown 4, Hislop I. Ross, Cousins, Jones, Grandison, Ramsay, Brown, Small, Tulloch, Hislop, Gilmour, Prentice. Subs: Balanowski, Watson.
4 H Benburb 0 3 McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Grandison, Ramsay, Brown, Balanowski, Tulloch, Hislop, Gilmour, Small. Subs: Prentice, Watson.
SCOTTISH BREWERS CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Info
1 Bye
2 H Blackburn United 1 0 Small McLafferty, Jones, Grandison, Cropley, Ramsay, Tulloch, Balanowski, Cousins, Small, Watson, Hislop. Subs: Prentice, Dingwall.
3 H Tranent Juniors 1 2 Brown I. Ross, Cousins, Jones, Grandison, Ramsay, Brown, Small, Dingwall, Hislop, Gilmour, Balanowski. Subs: Prentice, B. Ross.
DRYBOROUGH CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Info
1 Bye
2 A Arniston Rangers 1 2 Small McLafferty, Jones, Tulloch, Grandison, Ramsay, Gilmour, Balanowski, Cousins, Small, Watson, Hislop. Subs: Prentice, Brown.
ROBERTSON HOMES CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Info
1 Bye
2 A Linlithgow Rose 2 1 Hislop, Grandison McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Grandison, Ramsay, Brown, Balanowski, Tulloch, Hislop, Gilmour, Prentice. Subs: Small, Dingwall.
QF H Bonnyrigg Rose 1 0 Brown McLafferty, Cousins, Grandison, Cropley, Ramsay, Brown, Balanowski, Tulloch, Hislop, Gilmour, Prentice. Subs: Dingwall, Small.
SF H Preston Athletic 1 0 Hislop McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Ramsay, Grandison, Balanowski, Tulloch, Hislop, B. Ross, Prentice. Subs: Dingwall, Small.
F N Arniston Rangers 2 1 Tulloch, Brown McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Dingwall, Grandison, Tulloch, Small, Hislop, Gilmour, Balanowski. Subs: Prentice, Ramsay.
Back: G. Cousins, D. Dingwall, T. Tulloch, J. Hislop, T. Balanowski, M. Jones, R. McLafferty.
Front: T. Gilmour, D. Small, G. Brown, G. Grandison.
Thanks to Gordon Grandison for providing this photo.
Match Report
    GALA DAY STAR WIN CUP
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    Newtongrange Star, celebrating their 1981 Gala Day back home, added a neat piece of silverware to their festive occasion by beating arch rivals Arniston Rangers in a local derby cup final to determine the destination of the 1981 Robertson Homes Cup at King’s Park, Dalkeith, last Saturday.

    But behind the scoreline is a sad story of Sam Lynch’s sending off early in the game to reduce Arniston to 10 men, which proved to be a handicap they were unable to overcome.

    The Rangers were playing their fourth match in eight days, including their second cup final (they defeated Linlithgow Rose 3-2 the week before in the Drybrough Cup final to qualify for the National Drybrough competition and a home tie against Maryhill).

    In midweek they beat Sauchie in the Laidlaw ‘A’ Division to ensure runners-up place behind champions Penicuik, then held Camelon to a 2-2 draw in the semi-final of the Scottish Brewers Cup at Gorebridge before last weekend’s cup final.

    Andy Kelly’s men were without cup-tied Eric Davidson so their only change from the Drybrough Cup winning side saw Bobby Woods on the left wing.

    Star were on familiar lines and looked the zippier team at the outset. The crowd was smaller than expected.

    A Balanowski header in the second minute was deflected on to the roof of the net for Newtongrange’s first corner.

    Slowly Arniston settled but then Sam Lynch, following a lecture from Falkirk referee Mr Brown, committed a foul again on Small near the touchline and was promptly sent off.

    Perhaps a booking first might have been more appropriate especially so early on in a cup final. Stranger things happened than 10 men winning matches but Newtongrange, inspired by some fine defensive work from Dingwall and Jones, closed the door on Arniston’s attack.

    Pryde for Arniston dropped back from midfield to fill the left back spot vacated by Lynch.

    The game was rather physical and Grandison was booked for a foul on Woods.

    From Arniston’s third corner Woods had a clear-cut chance but his shot was deflected for a corner from which MacAulay sent an overhead kick too high.

    Ferguson crashed a superb shot against the crossbar next before Woods let another snip go by.

    Ten-man Arniston were doing well to contest the game but Gowrie had to look sharp to thwart Small when Pryde was short with a pass back.

    Defences were in command until the 33rd minute when Newtongrange went in front.

    Tulloch took a neat inside ball, moved forward and struck the ball wide of Gowrie to put the Star 1-0 up. This was a fine goal and set Nitten on the victory trail.

    Gowrie was busy but good as he next dived to save a shot from Gilmour.

    Skipper Dougie Keith marshalled his defence well and had the energy to charge through and have a real shot at goal while Gordon Robertson and Bobby Woods wanted to walk the ball home!

    Pryde was booked for fouling before half time as Star took the break 1-0 up.

    Arniston should have equalised in the first minute of the second half when a strong Ferguson cross found Gordon Robertson but his header was weak and McLafferty easily collected.

    In the 51st minute Gowrie again excelled with a fine save from John Hislop as Star gained command.

    Newtongrange were playing the right game in the circumstances keeping it tight at the back while looking to Hislop, Small and Balanowski to net a safety goal.

    Keith was next booked before a short pass back by Dingwall to Woods again did not produce the fireworks from the winger.

    It was more of an efficient game than attractive but going into the last quarter of the final, Newtongrange moved 2-0 ahead from their sixth corner.

    Balanowski’s flag kick was not cleared and Brown stole in on the far post to head home Star’s second.

    This second blow more than finished Arniston who however hit the woodwork again when a Pryde shot was deflected off the upright.

    In the closing minutes Arniston introduced Fleming for Woods and pushed Pryde forward.

    In the 86th minute, too late to have any real effect on the game, Arniston pulled one back. A ball was driven across the penalty box and struck Gilmour on the arm.

    Referee Brown awarded Rangers a penalty and Pryde made a fine job of the spot kick.

    At the finish Arniston counted the cost of Lynch being sent off, but Star took full advantage. The beaten finalists had a fine keeper in Gowrie and tireless skipper in Keith.

    Teams:
    Newtongrange Star: McLafferty, Cousins, Jones, Brown, Dingwall, Grandison, Tulloch, Small, Hislop, Gilmour, Balanowski. Subs: Prentice, Ramsay.
    Arniston Rangers: Gowrie, Graham Robertson, Lynch, Ferguson, Roger, Keith, MacAulay, Pryde, Gordon Robertson, Aird, Woods. Subs: Fleming, Anderson.
HIGHLAND QUEEN LEAGUE CUP
Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Arniston Rangers 4 2 2 0 5 2 +3 6
Newtongrange Star 4 1 2 1 1 1 0 4
Bonnyrigg Rose 4 1 0 3 3 6 -3 2
Opponents Venue F A Scorers Team Info
Arniston Rangers H 0 0 I. Ross, Cousins, Jones, Cropley, Ramsay, Gilmour, Small, Tulloch, Hislop, Reid, Prentice. Subs: Brown, Dingwall.
A 0 0 Marshall, Jones, Grandison, Dingwall, Ramsay, Tulloch, Reid, Cousins, Small, Watson, Hislop. Subs: Prentice, B. Ross.
Bonnyrigg Rose H 0 1 I. Ross, Jones, Russell, Grandison, Ramsay, B. Ross, Reid, Brown, Small, Tulloch, Prentice. Subs: Hislop, Watson.
A 1 0 OG I. Ross, Jones, Ramsay, Dingwall, Grandison, Cousins, Watson, Tulloch, Hislop, Small, Prentice. Subs: Reid, B. Ross.