Arniston fight back to deny Star victory

Published on Thursday 21 August 2008 10:25

ARNISTON RANGERS produced a stunning fightback to draw 3-3 with Newtongrange Star in the latest round of group matches in the League Cup.

Newtongrange looked on course to notch the victory that would have taken them into the semi-finals when they led 3-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from Grant Meaney, Scott McCulloch and Damien Gielty.

But Arniston came storming back in the second half, with Mark Stevenson pulling a goal back with 20 minutes to go before Kyle Howit and Mark Boyle both netted in the last three minutes to salvage a draw and keep alive their hopes of reaching the last four. To do that, however, they would still have to win their three remaining games against Haddington, Penicuik and Dunbar.

Holders Linlithgow Rose reached the semi-finals after cruising to a 4-0 win over Pumpherston. They led through goals from Ian McSween and Chris Geddes before strikes in the closing quarter of an hour from Mark Robertson and Sean Grady sealed the win.

Elsewhere, Musselburgh beat Haddington 5-2 in a thriller. Chris King scored a hat-trick while Paul Tansey and Danny Kelly were also on target for Musselburgh. Jackie Myles junior and the ever-dependable John Martin struck for Haddington.

In the only other game to beat the weather, Broxburn beat Dalkeith 1-0 courtesy of a strike from Ian Douglas but both sides are out as Linlithgow qualified from their section.

All the other fixtures fell victim to the elements, with several of those likely to be rescheduled for next week.

Meanwhile, experienced central defender Craig Meikle is a free agent after buying out his contract at Bonnyrigg Rose.