The History of Newtongrange Star
2010/11
JOHN WALKER EAST OF SCOTLAND CUP WINNERS
STORY OF THE SEASON
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    The early season League Cup saw the Star fail to progress beyond the group stage, finishing just one point behind Linlithgow Rose.

    The Superleague campaign started poorly with a 3-2 defeat to Lochee United. It was a result that would become typical as the Star got into an unfortunate habit of losing games by narrow margins. So much so that in the 13 league matches that were lost, 11 were by a single goal and the other 2 were by a 2 goal margin. The team were never out-classed, but it took 10 games before Star actually won a match - 4-0 against Hill of Beath Hawthorn.

    A hard winter settled on Scotland in December and there was no football for two months. Eventually Star resumed against West Junior champions Beith Juniors in the Scottish Junior Cup. Despite leading 1-0 with only minutes to go at New Victoria Park, the Ayrshire team equalised and easily won the replay.

    The focus fell back on league duties. There was hope in March/April time when Star had recorded a four game winning run, including away wins at Linlithgow Rose and Forfar West End. There was also a win over Bonnyrigg Rose soon after. In fact, Star actually beat everyone in the top half of the league except champions Bo'ness United. Only one win against the teams in the bottom half proved their undoing. Eventually, after a typically narrow 1-0 defeat to Bo'ness United, manager Graeme Armstrong resigned. John Coughlin took temporary charge before former player Alan Miller took on the permanent position. The inevitable happened though and relegation eventually came.

    Despite the relegation, there was a high point to end the season with as Star fought through to the East of Scotland Cup final against Dundee North End. Star dominated the final, winning 2-0 through goals from Joe Dunbar and Scott McCulloch. The margin could have been greater, but for the North End goalkeeper who ended up with the man of the match award for his efforts.
ACA SPORTS SUPERLEAGUE
Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Bo'ness United 22 12 6 4 38 26 +12 42
Hill of Beath Hawthorn 22 10 9 3 33 22 +11 39
Linlithgow Rose 22 12 3 7 46 37 +9 39
Bonnyrigg Rose 22 11 4 7 33 31 +2 37
Lochee United 22 10 5 7 37 30 +7 35
Forfar West End 22 8 6 8 34 31 +3 30
Musselburgh Athletic 22 8 3 11 36 46 -10 27
Bathgate Thistle 22 6 8 8 33 40 -7 26
Kelty Hearts 22 7 3 12 26 35 -9 24
Camelon Juniors 22 6 6 10 32 43 -11 24
Tayport 22 6 4 12 30 33 -3 22
Newtongrange Star 22 6 3 13 33 37 -4 21
Promoted to Superleague: St Andrews United
Carnoustie Panmure
Relegated from Superleague: Tayport
Newtongrange Star
Opponents Venue F A Scorers Team Media
Bathgate Thistle H 1 1 Meaney O'Connor, Swaney, Forbes, McCulloch, Woodburn, Hutchison, Brown, Thomson, Somerville, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Dunbar (for Meaney), Cherrie (for Somerville), Hill, Carnie.
A 0 2 Hill, McKenna, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McCulloch, Cherrie, Thomson, Somerville, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Perry (for McKenna), Dunbar (for Cherrie), Hutchison (Meaney), Swaney, Affleck.
Bo'ness United H 0 1 O'Connor, Swaney, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Cherrie, Brown, Thomson, McCulloch, McKenna, Somerville. Subs: Hutchison (for McKenna), Meaney (for Somerville), Hill.
A 0 1 O'Connor, Brown, Forbes, Swaney, Woodburn, Cherrie, Dunbar, Thomson, McCulloch, Hutchison, Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney (for Hutchison), Somerville (for Thomson), K. McNicoll, Carnie.
Bonnyrigg Rose H 1 0 Forbes O'Connor, Brown, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Cherrie, Hutchison, Thomson, McCulloch, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney (for Somerville), McKenna, Hill, Carnie.
A 2 3 Gourlay, Roseburgh Hill, Gourlay, Forbes, G. McNicoll, McCulloch, McKenna, Dunbar, Thomson, Hutchison, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Woodburn, Cherrie (for Thomson), Perry (for Hutchison), Meaney (for Dunbar), Affleck, Johnston, Carnie.
Camelon Juniors H 4 0 Woodburn, Roseburgh, Somerville 2 O'Connor, Brown, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Cherrie, Dunbar, Thomson, McCulloch, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: McKenna (for Thomson), Hutchison (for McCulloch), Meaney (for Somerville), Dick, Swaney, Affleck, Hill.
A 2 2 Hutchison, Forbes Hill, Swaney, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McKenna, Somerville, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Gourlay, Johnston (for Swaney), Cherrie (for Meaney), McCulloch (for Hutchison), Perry, Affleck.
Forfar West End H 1 2 OG Hill, McKenna, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McCulloch, Dunbar, Thomson, Hutchison, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Cherrie (for Thomson), Gourlay (for Hutchison), Perry, Affleck, Carnie.
A 4 3 Thomson, Somerville 2, McCulloch O'Connor, Brown, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Cherrie, Dunbar, Thomson, McCulloch, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: McKenna (for Cherrie), Hutchison, Meaney (for Somerville), Dick, Swaney (for Dunbar), Affleck, Carnie.
Hill of Beath Hawthorn H 4 0 Meaney 2, Somerville, McCulloch Hill, McKenna, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McCulloch, Gourlay, Thomson, Somerville, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Dunbar (for Gourlay), Cherrie (for Somerville), Hutchison (for Meaney), Swaney, Carnie.
A 0 0 O'Connor, Brown, Thomson, McCulloch, Woodburn, Hutchison, Dunbar, Cherrie, Meaney, McKenna, Roseburgh. Subs: Swaney, G. McNicoll, Somerville (for Dunbar), Carnie.
Kelty Hearts H 2 3 Somerville, Roseburgh Hill, Gourlay, Forbes, Johnston, McCulloch, McKenna, Dunbar, Thomson, Hutchison, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Cherrie (for McKenna), Perry (for Johnston), Meaney (for Thomson), Swaney, Woodburn.
A 0 1 O'Connor, Brown, Forbes, McCulloch, Woodburn, Hutchison, Cherrie, Thomson, Meaney, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Dunbar (for Cherrie), Swaney (for Woodburn), Carnie.
Linlithgow Rose H 3 4 Somerville 2, McCulloch Hill, McKenna, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McCulloch, Cherrie, Thomson, Somerville, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Perry, Dunbar (for Meaney), Hutchison, Swaney, Affleck.
A 2 1 Roseburgh, McCulloch O'Connor, Brown, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Cherrie, Dunbar, Thomson, McCulloch, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: McKenna (for Dunbar), Hutchison, Meaney (for Somerville), Dick, Swaney, Affleck, Carnie.
Lochee United H 2 3 McKenna, OG Hill, Swaney, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McKenna, Gourlay, Thomson, Hutchison, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney (for Swaney), McCulloch (for Woodburn), Cherrie (for Thomson), Perry, Torrance, Trialist1, Johnston.
A 1 0 Cherrie O'Connor, Brown, Forbes, Swaney, Woodburn, Hutchison, Somerville, Cherrie, McCulloch, McKenna, Roseburgh. Subs: Thomson (for Forbes), Dunbar, Affleck, Carnie.
Musselburgh Athletic H 1 2 Hutchison Hill, Swaney, Forbes, Johnston, Woodburn, McKenna, Somerville, Cherrie, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Perry (for Hutchison), McCulloch (for Cherrie), Gourlay, G. McNicoll, Dunbar (for Meaney), Trialist.
A 2 4 Meaney, McCulloch O'Connor, Brown, Thomson, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Cherrie, Dunbar, McKenna, McCulloch, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Swaney (for Cherrie), Hutchison (for Meaney), Affleck, Hill, Carnie.
Tayport H 1 2 Meaney O'Connor, Swaney, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Thomson, Dunbar, Cherrie, McCulloch, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney (for G. McNicoll), McKenna (for Roseburgh), Affleck, Hill, Carnie.
A 0 2 Hill, McKenna, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McCulloch, Dunbar, Thomson, Hutchison, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney (for Woodburn), Gourlay (for McKenna), Perry (for Roseburgh), Cherrie, Swaney, Affleck, Carnie.
EMIRATES AIRLINES SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 Bye
2 H Fraserburgh United 6 1 Meaney 2, McCulloch 2, Somerville, Thomson Hill, McKenna, Forbes, White, Woodburn, G. McNicoll, Somerville, Thomson, Meaney, McCulloch, Roseburgh. Subs: Swaney, Perry, Cherrie (for Thomson), Hutchison (for Somerville), Dunbar (for G. McNicoll), Gourlay, Affleck.
3 H Beith Juniors 1 1 Roseburgh O'Connor, McKenna, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Fusco, McCulloch, Thomson, Meaney, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Hutchison (for Meaney), Dunbar (for Somerville), Brown (for McCulloch), Cherrie, Swaney, Gourlay, Carnie.
A Beith Juniors 2 6 Roseburgh 2 O'Connor, McKenna, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McCulloch, Brown, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: Dunbar (for Hutchison), Somerville (for Meaney), Cherrie (for McKenna), Swaney, Gourlay, Carnie.
JOHN WALKER FIFE & LOTHIANS CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 Bye
2 H Dundonald Bluebell 5 1 Somerville 2, McCulloch 2, G. McNicoll O'Connor, Brown, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McCulloch, Dunbar, Cherrie, Hutchison, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Thomson (for Hutchison), McKenna, Swaney (for Dunbar), Dick (for McCulloch), Meaney, Affleck, Carnie.
3 H Bathgate Thistle 0 2 O'Connor, Brown, Forbes, G. McNicoll, McCulloch, Cherrie, Dunbar, Thomson, Hutchison, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Swaney (for Hutchison), Dick, McKenna (for Thomson), Meaney (for Somerville), Affleck, Carnie.
JOHN WALKER EAST OF SCOTLAND CUP
Round Venue Opponents F A PenF PenA Scorers Team Media
1 H Steelend Victoria 7 1 Gourlay 2, Meaney 2, Thomson, Roseburgh, Somerville Hill, Gourlay, Forbes, Hutchison, McCulloch, Cherrie, Perry, Thomson, Somerville, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: McKenna (for Meaney), Affleck (for Forbes).
2 A Glenrothes 2 2 8 7 Thomson, McCulloch O'Connor, Brown, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Cherrie, Dunbar, Thomson, McCulloch, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: McKenna (for Cherrie), Swaney, Somerville (for Meaney), Hutchison, Affleck, Carnie.
3 A Kirkcaldy YMCA 4 1 Cherrie, McCulloch, Meaney, Thomson O'Connor, Swaney, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, Hutchison, Cherrie, Thomson, McCulloch, Meaney, Britton. Subs: Brown, Somerville, Affleck, Hill, Carnie.
QF A Sauchie Juniors 2 1 McCulloch, Roseburgh O'Connor, Brown, Thomson, Swaney, Woodburn, McKenna, Somerville, Cherrie, McCulloch, Hutchison, Roseburgh. Subs: Forbes, Meaney (for Swaney), Dunbar (for Somerville), Carnie.
SF H Penicuik Athletic 1 0 Meaney O'Connor, Brown, Thomson, McCulloch, Woodburn, Hutchison, Somerville, Cherrie, Meaney, McKenna, Roseburgh. Subs: Swaney, G. McNicoll (for Meaney), Dunbar (for Somerville), Carnie.
F N Dundee North End 2 0 Dunbar, McCulloch O'Connor, Brown, Thomson, G.McNicoll, Woodburn, Hutchison, Dunbar, Cherrie, McCulloch, McKenna, Roseburgh. Subs: Swaney (for McKenna), Somerville (for Dunbar), Carnie.


Scott McCulloch & Joe Dunbar
Match Report
    Star shine through the gloom with cup success

    By John Gilmour (Evening News) at Central Park, Kelty

    Newtongrange Star enjoyed a gala finish to the season as they lifted the prestigious East of Scotland Cup after beating Dundee North End 2-0 in the final in Kelty.

    "A great end to the season in which a lot has happened at the club. The gloom surrounding relegation has at least been lifted temporarily. This win gives us a boost ahead of next season," was how boss Alan Miller saw it.

    There was a big travelling support from both sides for this game at neutral Kelty and they weren't disappointed with the football. Newtongrange started brightly and created a few chances in the opening minutes. North End though, on the back of a super G & A cup win over Broughty last week, proved just as lively as the first half wore on.

    However it was Newtongrange who opened the scoring with a super goal in the 14th minute. North End keeper Mark Fotheringham who up till then had kept them at bay with a string of super saves, was beaten by a shot from Joe Dunbar which curled its way into the top corner. Fotheringham was proving to be the key player in the North End side. He turned on a man of the match performance which belied his physique. It was no surprise though when Newtongrange added to their tally ten minutes before the break. From a Stuart Roseburgh corner, Scott McCulloch rose to power a header downwards. Fotheringham blocked it but only as far as McCulloch again and he slammed the ball first time low into the corner of the net with the keeper helpless.

    Newtongrange looked comfortable in the first half but, North End had to come out looking for a foothold in the game. They didn't get one. Newtongrange swept forward at every opportunity and only that man Fotheringham kept the score down. First McCulloch then Dunbar had super chances to put the game to bed but Fotheringham was outstanding.

    Star's Gary Cherrie then had the best chance of the second 45 minutes to add to their total but didn't make the keeper work by blasting wide. North End did have spells when they should have scored but Newtongrange keeper Gary O'Connor wasn't troubled enough.

    So it was that Newtongrange captain Gareth Hutchison stepped up to collect the second biggest trophy in Junior football, the East of Scotland Cup. To collect the trophy in what has been a dreadful season in the League restores a lot of pride to a side which always tries to play good attacking football.

    New boss Alan Miller sees a lot of positives in the side, "The lads have been tremendous since I came here. They've responded happily with everything we've asked them to do and it's a happy camp. We have super players in the squad and we're looking to add to them. The best clubs have the best players and we're hoping to be the same.

    There is a lot of work to be done but myself and the coaches will be working hard to get more of the same players in. Relegation was a huge disappointment for the players but I hope this result gives us a determination to bounce straight back up."

    Dunbar, scorer of the vital opening goal, is one of that happy camp, "There's a definite buzz back around us now. The gaffer has been great with us. He gives us confidence to go out there and get the job done," he said. "Since he came here we've stepped up a gear and to win was a great end to the season. The opening goal wasn't something I had planned; a goal from the foot I usually only use for standing on. But the ball came back to me from the keeper and I just turned and curled it past him. It wasn't planned for the top corner but the way he was playing it had to be in the right spot and it was. Now we can plan ahead for next season. Most of us have signed up and can't wait for pre season."

    Teams:
    Newtongrange Star: O'Connor, Brown, Thomson, Woodburn, McNicol, Hutchison, Dunbar (Somerville), Cherrie, McCulloch, McKenna (Swaney), Roseburgh. Unused Subs: Carnie.

    Dundee North End: Fotheringham, Browne, McCulley, Henry (Nicol), Gowans, Percy, Glennie, Grier (Valentine), McCumisky, Flynn (Kelly), Hoy. Unused Subs: Small, Al-Saffar, Duncan, Brough.

    Ref: Neil McLennan
DECHMONT FORKLIFT SOUTH LEAGUE CUP
Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Linlithgow Rose 5 4 1 0 16 4 +12 13
Newtongrange Star 5 4 0 1 12 6 +6 12
Spartans Juniors 5 3 1 1 15 9 +6 10
Armadale Thistle 5 2 0 3 13 15 -2 6
Pumpherston Juniors 5 1 0 4 2 16 -14 3
West Calder United 5 0 0 5 6 14 -8 0
Opponents Venue F A Scorers Team Media
Armadale Thistle H 4 2 Thomson, Gourlay 2, McKenna Hill, Swaney, Forbes, McCulloch, Woodburn, McKenna, Gourlay, Thomson, Hutchison, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: G. McNicoll (for Hutchison), Gielty, Somerville (for Meaney), Torrance, Cherrie (for McCulloch), Trialist1.
Linlithgow Rose A 1 3 Thomson Hill, Swaney, Forbes, G. McNicoll, Woodburn, McKenna, Gourlay, Thomson, Hutchison, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: McCulloch (for Hutchison), Torrance (for Gourlay), Trialist1, Cherrie, Johnston, Affleck.
Pumpherston Juniors A 3 0 Somerville 2, Woodburn Hill, Gourlay, Forbes, Johnston, Woodburn, McKenna, Perry, Cherrie, McCulloch, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Hutchison, Thomson, Torrance (for McKenna), Trialist1 (for Forbes), G. McNicoll (for Gourlay), Meaney.
West Calder United H 2 1 McCulloch, Hutchison Hill, G. McNicoll, Forbes, Johnston, Woodburn, McKenna, Gourlay, Thomson, McCulloch, Hutchison, Roseburgh. Subs: Torrance, Meaney, Swaney, Trialist1 (for Roseburgh), Cherrie (for Thomson), Affleck.
Spartans Juniors A 2 0 McCulloch, Somerville Hill, G. McNicoll, Forbes, Johnston, Woodburn, McKenna, Gourlay, Thomson, McCulloch, Somerville, Roseburgh. Subs: Hutchison, Swaney, Perry, Cherrie, Trialist1, Torrance.
APPEARANCES/GOALS
  Starts Sub Goals
Chris Hill 17 0 0
Gary O'Connor 21 0 0
Scott Swaney 12 6 0
Paul Forbes 33 0 2
Shaun Woodburn 34 0 2
Ross Johnston 5 1 0
Trialist1 0 2 0
Grant McNicoll 26 3 1
Tom Britton 1 0 0
David White 1 0 0
Liam McKenna 25 7 2
Colin Affleck 0 1 0
Darren Gourlay 10 2 5
Mark Torrance 0 2 0
Alan Brown 18 1 0
Scott Fusco 1 0 0
Michael Dick 0 1 0
Steven Thomson 34 2 7
Adam Perry 2 5 0
Scott McCulloch 34 4 15
Gareth Hutchison 24 7 3
Grant Meaney 17 13 11
Stuart Roseburgh 36 0 9
Joe Dunbar 15 11 1
Gary Cherrie 23 11 2
Aaron Somerville 29 6 15
Own Goals 2
Total Goals 77