Glenrothes hit by 20-minute blitz from Star

NEWTONGRANGE kept the pressure on Bo'ness at the top of the East Region Superleague with a second-half blitz from striker Scott McCulloch, who bagged a hat-trick in a blistering 20-minute spell.

The first half saw Newtongrange still suffering a hangover from last week's Scottish Cup exit and it was the visitors who impressed with their quick incisive breaks upfield. But just before the break Glenrothes winger Lee Duffy was sent packing after a wild kick at Damien Gielty.

Three minutes after the restart Star's Stuart Roseburgh forced his way into the box before drilling over a low cross allowing Scott McCulloch a simple tap in from three yards. But only seven minutes later ten-man Glenrothes drew level. A long through ball found Chris Seeley one on one with keeper Hill, and the ball broke free for Seeley to roll it into the empty net.

Newtongrange were stung and retook the lead in the 58th minute. Roseburgh took a corner from the right. The ball bounced around the six yard box before McCulloch headed home from just six inches. In the 69th minute they increased their lead with one of the best moves of the game. New signing and sub David Murie started the move, pushing a good ball to McCulloch. He spread it wide to Darren Gourlay, who made space before driving a low cross to the feet of McCulloch who had sprinted into the box. McCulloch, with a twist of his body, sent a curling first time shot past the keeper and into the net for a superb finish.

Star notched their fourth with another sparkling finish in the 73rd minute. This time Gareth Hutchison was on target.

The last goal was a mystery. Newtongrange were awarded a free kick out wide left. Gourlay took a right-footed curler which evaded everyone and sneaked in at the far post without anyone else touching it.

"They were the better side in the first 45 minutes but after we scored we relaxed and the goals flowed," said manager Graeme Armstrong afterwards

Newtongrange Star: Hill, Gourlay, Forbes, McNicol, White, Woodburn (McKenzie), McCulloch, Thomson, Hutchison (Umatang), Gielty (Murie), Roseburgh. Subs: Meaney, Brown.

Glenrothes: Roberts, Cunningham, Seeley, Buist, Juskowiak, Kane, Duffy, Fortune (Trialist), Martin, Meikle, Rae. Subs: McBride, Burt, Simpson, Kirkwood.