Losing 5-1 to Bonnyrigg Rose in the early season League Cup suggested that the season ahead would be a difficult one for the Star and a successful one for Bonnyrigg Rose. Both teams progressed through the early rounds of the Scottish Junior Cup. The Star defeated Dalkeith Thistle, Broughty Athletic and Maryhill before they met Linlithgow Rose in the fourth round. Goals from Alan Reid and Eric Davidson gave the Star a 2-0 victory. Hopes were therefore high, but East Kilbride Thistle were too strong in the fifth round winning comprehensively by five goals to one. The fortunes of Bonnyrigg Rose were far from disappointing as they reached the final and defeated Stonehouse Violet 1-0 to leave the Star watching enviously from a few miles away as the Rose team paraded the cup through the streets of Bonnyrigg.

The Star at least managed to end their yo-yo existence of recent seasons by finishing a solid fifth in the league, four points behind champions Linlithgow Rose. The Star actually came close to snatching the title after a good run of victories in March, April and May that included excellent away wins over Arniston Rangers (4-2), Camelon (1-0) and, with goals from Pryde and Small, Linlithgow Rose (2-1). Despite this late surge, a 2-0 home defeat to Linlithgow Rose in late May proved decisive and the title went to Prestonfield.

The Star managed to gain some revenge for the early season defeat to Bonnyrigg Rose by winning a Fife & Lothians Cup quarter-final 2-0 after a replay. An excellent 3-2 win away to Linlithgow Rose in the semi-final with goals from Small, Reid and Love took the Star into the final at Prestonfield against Glenrothes. The Star fell behind to a Mervyn Jones own goal, but took a 2-1 lead with goals from Jazzy Pryde and Kenny Donald. With only minutes to go a short pass back by Kenny Russell allowed Glenrothes to equalise taking the match into extra time. Despite this blow the Star managed to score twice more through Jimmy Love and Kenny Donald to secure the Fife & Lothians Cup for the first time.

At the end of the season, manager Terry Christie left the club to take charge at Meadowbank Thistle. He was replaced by Billy Brown.

Source: The History of Newtongrange Star FC [2010]

STAR COME GOOD IN EXTRA TIME
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Mervyn Jones put his big foot or rather his head in it in the eighth minute of the final of the 1978 Fife and Lothians Cup at Linlithgow last Saturday when the Newtongrange No. 2 headed in an “own goal” past goalkeeper Ball who despairingly ran back to try to catch it but failed.

So Glens took a 1-0 lead and this after all the fancy football had come from the Star.

Glens had qualified for the final with a 1-0 win over Musselburgh while Newtongrange had five days earlier beaten Linlithgow Rose at Linlithgow by 3-2.

The scene for the final was sun-drenched Prestonfield. It was a day for watching not playing.

Star had ex-Tranent Juniors winger David Small at the No.11 berth while Alan Preacher, another Tranent export, played No. 9 for Glens. Jones’ own goal had come from a Dair cross and he was the most constructive player afield. Small was being tightly marked and the Fife defence looked big and safe. With international keeper Allan in top form Star had a job on their hands.

The first change in the game came in the 25th minute when Gilmour was carried off and Davie Dick came on as substitute for Newtongrange. The Star attack had no power but Love and Small kept trying.

Reid was hauled down in the 39th minute but there was no Star penalty. Next, Reid was clean through but Allan made a brilliant save. Then Pryde had a go only to be again thwarted by a great Allan save.

Glens took the break 1-0 up and showing just why they were unbeaten in the Fife league. However, with one minute of the half remaining Glens were hit by injury when Dair was carried off.

Newtongrange had it all to do in the second half and they responded well. But despite some good leading up work their finishing was nervous and weak. Cropley was needed to clear off the line though to halt a dangerous Fife breakaway, the Allan punched a Jones shot out.

Davie Small was carried off in the 58th minute and it looked like curtains for Star. However, Kenny Donald came on as substitute and proved to be a great cup-winner with two great goals!

Cropley had played well at the back for Star but it was a great equaliser from Jimmy Pryde that brought Newtongrange back from the cold in the 66th minute. All on his own in the inside left position he scored a superb goal from a narrow angle which flashed past Allan to give the Star new heart.

The final was finely balanced for a spell but gradually the Victoria Parkers began to show their fitness.

Donald went close in the 73rd minute with a scooped shot but three minutes later went one better when he scored. Again it came down the left flank and Kenny caught the Glens defence cold to score a fine opportunist goal that looked likely to be the winner.

Love next found Allan in fine form with a tearing header as all the play came from Star now.

But disaster struck in the 86th minute when Ken Russell blundered with a short pass and McInnes pounced on the ball and swept it into the net for a dramatic equaliser at 2-2.

With seconds left and Star rattled, Preacher nearly scored the winner for Glenrothes – he was only inches away from connecting with a McInnes cross.

So the final went into extra time with a few heavy limbs to drag around Prestonfield. But in the fifth minute of extra time Mervyn Jones redeemed himself when he combined well with Pryde to cross low into the Glens defence and there was Jimmy Love on the spot to score and excellent goal, thanks to Mervyn and again the Star were in the lead.

Russell played a lion’s part in the Star play with a role which saw him cover every inch of the park. Only an outstretched Allan leg stopped Love from making it four as Glens faded from the action. 3-2 up at half time of extra time, Star were not going to let it slip this time and Kenny Donald made sure with a fourth goal – what a grand substitute he turned out to be.

Deservedly then, Newtongrange Star – always a great cup-fighting team – beat the cream of Fife to win this trophy for the first time and also provided the fans with an entertaining afternoon’s football. Well done Star! Every blue jersey played his part and deserved their cup winner’s medal – especially substitutes Dick and Donald.