The History of Newtongrange Star
1972/73
STORY OF THE SEASON
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    No doubt the Star fans began the season expectant of another exciting run in the Scottish Junior Cup. Unfortunately, there was to be no such success as the Star were eliminated by a solitary goal in the second round at home to Arthurlie.

    Further early exits were to follow in all the other cups. A quarter-final place in the Brown Cup was the best performance before the Star lost 1-0 to Arniston Rangers.

    The Star were a bit off the pace when the league reached its conclusion. Despite home and away victories over the previous season's Scottish Junior Cup finalists, Bonnyrigg Rose, too many points were dropped against teams towards the top of the table to mount a serious challenge.

    There was still plenty for the remaining teams to play for in the league as the East Region Scottish Junior Football Association had decided to dispense with the current set up where the winners of the West Division met the winners of the Mid/East Division to decide the overall champions. Instead a new A and B division format would exist from the following season with teams promoted and relegated between the two. To secure a place in the top division a top six place was required. Despite not challenging for the title, the Star at least finished fourth to secure a place in the new A Division.

    First place in the last Mid/East Division went to Musselburgh Athletic, but only after a playoff with Penicuik Athletic that took three matches to produce a winner. Broxburn Athletic won the overall championship by defeating the men from the Honest Toun again after a third match.

    There was also a testimonial match towards the end of the season for long-serving trainer Jock Denholm. The current Star team took on an Old Star XI that included such former players as Dave Mackay, Alex Young and Tommy Preston. Old Star ran out 2-1 winners.

    Source: The History of Newtongrange Star FC [2010]
EAST REGION MID/EAST DIVISION
Pld W D L F A Pts
Musselburgh Athletic 20 12 4 4 28
Penicuik Athletic 20 12 4 4 28
Arniston Rangers 20 10 7 3 27
Newtongrange Star 20 7 8 5 22
Dalkeith Thistle 19 10 2 7 22
Bonnyrigg Rose 19 9 3 7 21
Dunbar United 20 8 3 9 19
Haddington Athletic 20 7 4 9 18
Tranent Juniors 20 3 7 10 13
Peebles Rovers 20 3 3 13 9
Preston Athletic 20 2 5 12 9
The top six clubs in the Mid/East Division are to form the new 'A' Division along with the top seven clubs from the West Division.
All other clubs to form the new 'B' Division.
Musselburgh Athletic won the league after a playoff with Penicuik Athletic.
Opponents Venue F A Scorers Team Info
Arniston Rangers H 1 2 Beveridge
A 0 0
Bonnyrigg Rose H 3 0 OG, Pryde, Anderson C. King, R. King, Scott, Sproull, Forrester, Cropley, Johnston, Anderson, Beveridge, Pryde, Borthwick. Subs: Robertson, Wright.
A 1 0 ?
Dalkeith Thistle H 0 1
A 3 1 Beveridge 2, Ewing
Dunbar United H 5 1 ?
A
Haddington Athletic H 0 0
A 2 2 Anderson, ?
Musselburgh Athletic H 1 1 ?
A 1 4 ?
Peebles Rovers H 6 2 ? C. King, R. King, Scott, Sproull, Forrester, Cropley, Anderson, Pryde, Beveridge, Purcell, Ewing. Sub: Miller.
A 4 1 Robertson, Purcell, OG, ?
Penicuik Athletic H 2 3 Ewing, Pryde
A 1 2 Ewing
Preston Athletic H 5 1 Pryde, Anderson, Forrester, Ewing, OG
A
Tranent Juniors H 1 1 MacLeod
A 1 1 Ewing
SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Info
1 Bye
2 H Arthurlie 0 1
FIFE & LOTHIANS CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Info
1 H Newburgh 1 1 Ewing
A Newburgh 0 2
EAST OF SCOTLAND CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Info
1 A Armadale Thistle 0 1 Hogg, Borthwick, Scott, Sproull, Johnston, Forrester, McLeod, Donnelly, Beveridge, Ewing, King. Subs: Cropley, Anderson.
ST MICHAELS CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Info
1 A Dalkeith Thistle 2 6 Beveridge, Ewing Hogg, Borthwick, Miller, Sproull, Scott, Purcell, Anderson, Donnelly, Beveridge, Ewing, MacLeod. Subs: King, McCallum.
BROWN CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Info
1 Bye
2 A Bo'ness United 2 1 Anderson, Pryde C. King, R. King, Miller, Sproull, Forrester, Cropley, Ewing, Pryde, Anderson, Beveridge, Purcell. Subs: Borthwick, Wright.
QF A Arniston Rangers 0 1
R L RAE CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Info
1 H Fauldhouse United 3 1 Ewing, King, Beveridge Hogg, Johnston, Miller, Sproull, Forrester, Cropley, Purcell, Donnelly, Ewing, Beveridge, King. Subs: Anderson, Scott.
2 A Bonnybridge Juniors 1 1 Beveridge
H Bonnybridge Juniors 0 1
TESTIMONIAL
A testimonial match was played on the 15th May 1973 between Newtongrange Star and an Old Star XI including players such as Dave MacKay, Alex Young and Tommy Preston for the benefit of club offical Jimmy Kirkwood and long serving trainer Jock Denholm. Old Star ran out winners by 2 goals to 1.