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Newtongrange Star v Tayport

1.30pm  4 January 2014

SJFA East Region, Super League
Newtongrange Star 3 Tayport 1 (att 210)

One of those days when I left home uncertain which game I'd be seeing. Scotland seemed among the better parts of the UK to head for given the weather, and with the back up of two new grounds with guaranteed games on artificial pitches, at Petershill and East Kilbride.

They can both wait for future bad weather days though, as in the end I had a choice of games on grass. Newtongrange, challenging for the East Region title, confirmed their game was on so I headed for New Victoria Park.

It's a relatively new venue, by Scottish Junior standards, having been opened about 20 years ago. It's among the smarter Junior grounds I've been to, with an impressive turnstile entrance that delivers you behind the goal and close to the changing rooms and tea bar.

To the left is a large covered terrace, with a single row of seats at the front, while to the right and behind the far goal is grass banking. I didn't have time to visit the social club, which is accessed from the car park. It's also one of the few Junior grounds with floodlights, although as midweek Junior games are a rarity they're mostly used by Hearts, who stage their under 20 games at Newtongrange.

Apparently "Nitten Star", as they're known locally, usually issue programmes, but none today due to their printers festive holiday schedule.

I think today's three points took Star top of the Super League, and they were deserved winners despite making hard work of beating the league's bottom team. The home side had the better of a goalless, and disappointing, first half but the game's best moments came after the break.

Star's best moments actually came in a five minute spell in which they scored all their goals, netting after 55, 57 and 60 minutes. They had several more chances, but would have been frustrated to allow Tayport a late consolation, although the visitors deserved a goal for their efforts.








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