The History of Newtongrange Star
2009/10
STORY OF THE SEASON
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    There was trouble for the Star before the season even got under way. There had been wide reports of a swine flu epidemic sweeping around the world, confining people to their houses and persuading many to wear facemasks to prevent infection. Even the Star were not immune to the virus as it was reported that 4 players had contracted the strain of influenza and therefore missed the start of pre-season training.

    The outbreak initially seemed to have had little effect as the Star started the season with two victories in the League Cup over new Junior club Spartans and Pumpherston. However, three subsequent defeats, including a 6-0 thrashing at Armadale, meant the Star's reign as League Cup holders was quickly ended.

    The Star were now a Superleague side, but the first match in the top flight was away to Bo'ness United and a 4-0 defeat suggested that the Star's 'favourites for relegation' tag may well have been accurate and that a long, hard season was ahead.

    There was further sadness in early September with the news that long-time Star supporter Isabel Greig had died aged 87. For many years, Mrs Greig provided tea and lottery tickets at the club and was given a life membership in 2001.

    Despite such a discouraging start to the season, the Star soon found their feet and recorded good league wins over recent Scottish Junior Cup winners Linlithgow Rose and Bathgate Thistle. There was also a thrilling 1-0 win in the Scottish Junior Cup over top Glasgow side Pollok with a solitary goal from Grant Meaney. A few more good results followed and all of a sudden, after a difficult start to the season, the Star had finished 2009 with a 7 game unbeaten run that propelled the team to second place in the Superleague and through to the fourth round of the Scottish Junior Cup.

    The 2009/10 season was blighted by one of the harshest winters in many years. So much so that many teams did not play a game for six or seven weeks. Finances were tight and clubs, players and supporters became frustrated as the list of outstanding fixtures grew. There was the inevitable talk of summer football.

    The Star emerged from the winter hiatus with a 1-0 win in the Scottish Junior Cup fourth round over Larkhall Thistle thanks to a goal from Steven Thomson. In the fifth round, the Star travelled to Tayport where a penalty from the home side was all that separated the sides.

    Following the exit from the Scottish Junior Cup, the Star's season somewhat fell away with no wins throughout the entirety of March and April. There had been some whispered talk of challenging for the league title at one point, but a string of defeats and losing a 3-1 lead to eventual league champions Bo'ness United in a match where the BUs finished with only 9 men meant the talk changed to the worry of possible relegation.

    One brighter moment during this period of lost form were the 3 caps earned by Damien Gielty when he represented Junior Scotland in the Quadrangular Tournament. Junior Scotland won the tournament that featured the Isle of Man as well as representative teams from the Republic of Ireland and the hosts, Northern Ireland.

    By the time the season ended, any mention of swine flu had disappeared from the media as quickly as it had arrived, yet the Star's appearance in the Superleague was not so fleeting as some goods wins in May over Hill of Beath Hawthorn (2-1) and Camelon (3-2) led to a healthy 4th place finish and ensured the Star of another season in the top flight.

    Source: The History of Newtongrange Star FC [2010]
BUKTA TEAMWEAR.COM SUPERLEAGUE
Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Bo'ness United 22 14 6 2 48 18 +30 48
Linlithgow Rose 22 13 6 3 50 26 +24 45
Bathgate Thistle 22 11 4 7 31 32 -1 37
Newtongrange Star 22 9 6 7 41 36 +5 33
Lochee United 22 9 5 8 34 43 -9 32
Camelon Juniors 22 9 3 10 36 36 0 30
Musselburgh Athletic 22 9 2 11 31 34 -3 29
Hill of Beath Hawthorn 22 7 7 8 30 32 -2 28
Kelty Hearts 22 7 6 9 32 38 -6 27
Bonnyrigg Rose 22 8 2 12 37 41 -4 26
Whitburn Juniors 22 5 7 10 31 38 -7 22
Glenrothes 22 2 4 16 30 57 -27 10
Promoted to Superleague: Tayport
Forfar West End
Relegated from Superleague: Whitburn Juniors
Glenrothes
Opponents Venue F A Scorers Team Media
Bathgate Thistle H 4 0 Meaney, Roseburgh, Thomson, Umotong Hill, G. McNicoll, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: R. Fairbairn, McCulloch (for Roseburgh), Umotong (for Hutchison), McKenzie (for White), Patton, Lunn.
A 2 0 Meaney, Thomson Hill, G. McNicoll, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: R. Fairbairn, A. Fairbairn, Patton, McCulloch (for Thomson), McKenzie (for Meaney), Umotong (for Hutchison), Lunn.
Bo'ness United H 3 3 McCulloch 2, Thomson Hill, Gourlay, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Hutchison, Brown, Thomson, McCulloch, Umotong, Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney (for Umotong), R. Fairbairn, Patton, Lunn.
A 0 4 Hill, Hutchison, Forbes, G. McNicoll, McCulloch, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Umotong, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Swaney (for Meaney), Hall (for Roseburgh), Anderson (for Brown), K. McNicoll, R. Fairbairn, Affleck, Lunn.
Bonnyrigg Rose H 1 1 Thomson Hill, G. McNicoll, Forbes, McCulloch, Woodburn, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Hutchison, Umotong, Roseburgh. Subs: R. Fairbairn, Britton (for Brown), Meaney (for Umotong), McKenzie, Patton, Lunn.
A 2 3 Roseburgh, McCulloch Hill, Murie, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Gielty, Gourlay, Thomson, McCulloch, Hutchison, Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney (for Gourlay), Umotong (for McCulloch), Brown (for Murie), A. Fairbairn, R. Fairbairn, McKenzie, Lunn.
Camelon Juniors H 2 1 Meaney 2 Lunn, Britton, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: R. Fairbairn (for G. McNicoll), McKenzie (for Meaney), McCulloch (for Thomson), Patton, Umotong, A. Fairbairn, K. McNicoll.
A 3 2 Hutchison 3 Hill, G. McNicoll, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Gielty, Gourlay, Thomson, Hutchison, McCulloch, Roseburgh.
Glenrothes H 5 1 McCulloch 3, Hutchison, Gourlay Hill, Gourlay, Forbes, G. McNicoll, White, Woodburn, McCulloch, Thomson, Hutchison, Gielty, Roseburgh. Subs: Brown, Meaney, Murie (for G. McNicoll), Umotong (for Hutchison), McKenzie (for Gielty), Patton, Lunn.
A 1 1 McCulloch Hill, Swaney, Forbes, R. Fairbairn, G. McNicoll, Gielty, McCulloch, Thomson, Umotong, Hutchison, Roseburgh. Subs: Brown (for Forbes), Meaney (for Hutchison), Hall (for G. McNicoll), Woodburn, Anderson, A. Fairbairn, Lunn.
Hill of Beath Hawthorn H 2 1 Thomson 2 Hill, Swaney, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Gielty, McCulloch, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Gourlay (for Swaney), McKenzie (for McCulloch), Umotong (for Roseburgh), Patton, Brown, Affleck, Lunn.
A 1 2 Roseburgh Hill, R. Fairbairn, Forbes, G. McNicoll, A. Fairbairn, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Meaney, Hutchison, Roseburgh. Subs: McKenzie (for Meaney), Umotong, K. McNicoll, Affleck, Woodburn, Lunn.
Kelty Hearts H 2 0 Umotong, Hutchison Hill, Swaney, Forbes, R. Fairbairn, G. McNicoll, Gielty, McCulloch, Thomson, Umotong, Hutchison, Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney (for Umotong), Hall (for Thomson), Anderson (for McCulloch), Affleck, Woodburn, Brown, Lunn.
A 0 2 Lunn, Swaney, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Gielty, G. McNicoll, Thomson, McCulloch, Meaney, Hutchison. Subs: Umotong, Roseburgh (for Thomson), Gourlay (for Swaney), A. Fairbairn, McKenzie (for Hutchison), Patton.
Linlithgow Rose H 3 0 Thomson, Hutchison, Roseburgh Hill, Britton, Forbes, G. McNicoll, A. Fairbairn, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: R. Fairbairn (for Britton), Woodburn (for Meaney), Patton, K. McNicoll, Lunn.
A 0 2 Hill, G. McNicoll, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Gielty, Gourlay, Thomson, Hutchison, McCulloch, Roseburgh. Subs: McKenzie (for Gourlay), Meaney (for McCulloch), Umotong (for Hutchison), Swaney, Murie, Affleck, Lunn.
Lochee United H 2 2 Thomson, Woodburn Hill, Gourlay, Swaney, White, Woodburn, Gielty, McKenzie, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Umotong (for Meaney), Patton, Lunn.
A 3 3 Thomson, Roseburgh, Umotong Hill, R. Fairbairn, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McCulloch, Brown, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Umotong (for Hutchison), McKenzie (for Brown), Swaney, A. Fairbairn (for Meaney), Affleck, Patton, Lunn.
Musselburgh Athletic H 1 2 Umotong Hill, Swaney, Gielty, White, G. McNicoll, McCulloch, Brown, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: McKenzie, Patton, A. Fairbairn (for G. McNicoll), Gourlay (for Roseburgh), Umotong (for Meaney), Lunn.
A 2 1 McCulloch, Meaney Hill, R. Fairbairn, Forbes, G. McNicoll, White, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Umotong, Meaney, McCulloch. Subs: A. Fairbairn, McKenzie (for Meaney), Gourlay (for R. Fairbairn), Roseburgh (for Umotong), Patton, Lunn.
Whitburn Juniors H 0 3 Hill, G. McNicoll, Forbes, Woodburn, White, Gielty, McKenzie, Thomson, Hutchison, McCulloch, Roseburgh. Subs: Umotong (for Gielty), A. Fairbairn, Meaney (for Hutchison), Gourlay (for McKenzie), Swaney, Patton, Lunn.
A 2 2 Thomson, Meaney Hill, Swaney, Gielty, Thomson, G. McNicoll, A. Fairbairn, Brown, McCulloch, Umotong, Hutchison, Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney (for Umotong), Forbes (for Roseburgh), Hall (for Thomson), R. Fairbairn, Patton, Woodburn, Lunn.
EMIRATES AIRLINES SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 Bye
2 H Pollok 1 0 Meaney Hill, G. McNicoll, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: R. Fairbairn, Britton (for G. McNicoll), McCulloch (for Gielty), Umotong, McKenzie (for Hutchison), Lunn.
3 H Lewis United 4 0 Thomson, Hutchison 3 Hill, G. McNicoll, Forbes, McCulloch, Woodburn, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: R. Fairbairn (for Thomson), A. Fairbairn, Umotong (for Hutchison), Patton, Swaney, McKenzie (for Meaney), Lunn.
4 A Larkhall Thistle 1 0 Thomson Hill, Britton, Forbes, G. McNicoll, White, McCulloch, Brown, Thomson, Umotong, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: McKenzie (for Roseburgh), Gourlay (for Britton), R. Fairbairn, A. Fairbairn, Affleck, Swaney, Lunn.
5 A Tayport 0 1 Hill, R. Fairbairn, Forbes, G. McNicoll, White, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, McCulloch, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: A. Fairbain, Gourlay (for Brown), Hutchison (for Meaney), Umotong (for R. Fairbairn), Patton, McKenzie, Lunn.
JOHN WALKER FIFE & LOTHIANS CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 Bye
2 H Kelty Hearts 0 2 Hill, Hutchison, Forbes, White, Woodburn, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, McCulloch, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Murie (for Meaney), McKenzie (for Brown), Gourlay (for Roseburgh), Swaney, A. Fairbairn, Umotong, Lunn.
JOHN WALKER EAST OF SCOTLAND CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 A Broughty Athletic 1 2 McCulloch Hill, Swaney, Forbes, McCulloch, A. Fairbairn, Gielty, Brown, Thomson, Hutchinson, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Hall (for Swaney), R. Fairbairn (for A. Fairbairn).
DECHMONT FORKLIFT SOUTH LEAGUE CUP
Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Linlithgow Rose 5 4 1 0 22 6 +16 13
Armadale Thistle 5 3 2 0 19 7 +12 11
Spartans Juniors 5 2 1 2 13 11 +2 7
Newtongrange Star 5 2 0 3 12 13 -1 6
West Calder United 5 2 0 3 6 14 -8 6
Pumpherston Juniors 5 0 0 5 3 24 -21 0
Opponents Venue F A Scorers Team Media
Spartans Juniors H 3 2 Thomson, Anderson, McCulloch Hill, Hutchison, Forbes, G. McNicoll, A. Fairbairn, McCulloch, Anderson, Thomson, Wilson, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Umotong (for Meaney), Hall (for Roseburgh), Gielty (for Thomson), R. Fairbairn, Patton, Lunn.
Pumpherston Juniors H 7 1 McCulloch 2, Hutchison, Umotong, Anderson 2, Thomson Lunn, Hutchison, Forbes, G. McNicoll, A. Fairbairn, Gielty, Anderson, McCulloch, Umotong, Wilson, Roseburgh. Subs: Thomson (for McCulloch), Meaney (for Wilson), R. Fairbairn (for Umotong), Hall, Patton, Hill.
West Calder United A 0 1 Hill, Hutchison, Forbes, G. McNicoll, A. Fairbairn, Thomson, Swaney, McCulloch, Wilson, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Umotong (for Meaney), K. McNicoll (for Swaney), Lunn.
Linlithgow Rose H 2 3 McCulloch, Thomson Hill, Hutchison, Forbes, G. McNicoll, A. Fairbairn, Gielty, Meaney, McCulloch, Umotong, Thomson, Roseburgh. Subs: Brown (for Forbes), Wilson (for Meaney), Swaney (for Umotong), R. Fairbairn, Lunn.
Armadale Thistle A 0 6 Lunn, Swaney, Forbes, G. McNicoll, A. Fairbairn, Gielty, Brown, Hall, Umotong, Wilson, Anderson. Subs: K. McNicoll (for G. McNicoll), Thomson (for Forbes), Roseburgh (for Wilson), Meaney, Hutchison, McCulloch, Hill.
APPEARANCES/GOALS
  Starts Sub Goals
Chris Hill 29 0 0
Marc Lunn 4 0 0
David White 17 0 0
Scott Swaney 10 2 0
Paul Forbes 30 1 0
Shaun Woodburn 17 1 1
Keith McNicoll 0 2 0
Tom Britton 3 2 0
David Murie 1 2 0
Andy Fairbairn 9 2 0
Grant McNicoll 27 0 0
Ross Fairbairn 6 5 0
Ross McKenzie 2 14 0
Darren Gourlay 6 8 1
Alan Brown 19 3 0
Jordan Hall 1 6 0
Damien Gielty 28 1 0
Steven Thomson 31 2 15
Ubong Umotong 11 14 5
Scott McCulloch 25 4 13
Gareth Hutchison 29 1 10
Grant Meaney 21 9 7
Stuart Roseburgh 30 3 5
Alan Wilson 4 1 0
David Anderson 3 2 3
Own Goals 0
Total Goals 60