Newtongrange in afternoon stroll in Musselburgh sunshine

Newtongrange Star finished their Super League programme with a comprehensive win over a Musselburgh Athletic team with an eye on next Sunday's Junior Cup final at Rugby Park.

The sun shone for Musselburgh's final Super League fixture against local rivals Newtongrange Star this afternoon and it was a much changed home team that took the field with a number of players rested with next Sunday's showpiece very much in mind.

Star started brightly and after Cropley crossed into the box Mathu King had two excellent changes to put the visitors ahead but Adams was alert to the danger. However with only five minutes on the clock, a fine McManus cross from the right found King at the far post and he gave Star the lead.

Star were dominating now and Cropley and King combined with latter shooting just wide.

There was fully eight minutes on the clock before Musselburgh mounted a serious attack and it was top goalscorer Sheerin who had two shots blocked.

The visitors were well on top and Thomson created chances with dangerous corner kicks. Cherrie was next to try his luck but his shot went well over. The home side had the odd foray into the Star penalty area and Munro headed over from a rare raid.

It looked only a matter of time before Star would go further ahead and a second goal came after 25 minutes. Renton put in a fine drive from the right and when the ball rebounded off the far post,  King was again on hand to add his and his team's, second.

The visitors were rampant now and King nearly completed his hat trick with an audacious flick before Renton chipped just wide.

The only crumb of comfort for the home team was when Dunn tested his own keeper from a Musselburgh corner.

Half Time: Musselburgh Athletic 0; Newtongrange Star 2

Musselburgh brought Christie and a Russel on at the break with Hamilton and Sheerin going off.

Straight from the kick off Thomson fired in a shot from the half way line but it was well wide. Next Cropley shot straight at Adams when he had a real chance and a minute later from a Thomson corner, Tolmie headed over.

Musselburgh were not completely out of it and a Davie cross was headed over by Hunter. A minute later Hunter created a chance for Thomson but Kieron Renton in Star's goal, saved well.

After 57 minutes Star secured the points. McManus played in Cropley who casually rounded Adams before firing home. Four minutes later and Star added a fourth - Noble providing a fine finish from wide on the left .

Musselburgh looked well beaten now but they did pull one back just after the hour. Great interplay between Hunter and Martin created an opening for Martin,  and his fine finish gave Renton no chance.

Any hopes of a comeback were forlorn and their were no more goals - although Athletic's  substitute trialist Waugh impressed in the final few minutes and nearly scored late on.

This was a game where Musselburgh rested key players and went through the motions. Star were fired up to end their season on a high in an attempt to secure third place in the Super League - subsequently a late goal secured that spot for Linlithgow Rose.

Best for Star were King in the first half, Thomson and their rock steady centre backs Dunn and Tolmie. Musselburgh were very flat and will have a real challenge in turning their form around before the Junior Cup Final.

Full Time: Musselburgh Athletic 1; Newtongrange Star 4

Teams
Musselburgh Athletic
Adams, Martin, Hamilton, Hunter, Thomson, Sheerin, Ralton, Davie, Bracks, Doig and Munro
Subs Christie, Russel, Wilson, Waugh and Jackson GK
Newtongrange Star
Keiron Renton, McManus, Noble, Tolmie, Dunn, Thomson , King, Gillon, Kris Renton, Cherrie and Cropley Subs Deland, Kerr, Wilson, Swaney and Amos GK

Referee Evan Cairns, Andrés Burgos and Lewis Hogarth

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter