Star navigate their way into last 16 of Junior Cup again

NEWTONGRANGE faced the dangerous trip to Larkhall for this Emirates Airlines Junior Cup Fourth round tie without several key players.

The biggest worry was the absence of Gareth Hutchison, still out injured. Shaun Woodburn and Damien Gielty were another two who missed out through injury and suspension.

These absentees combined with the long gap since their last game meant Star were approaching this cup tie with a great deal of trepidation.

Manager Graeme Armstrong sent out a strong line-up, though, with Tom Britton in defence to strengthen the back four.

Star enjoyed the bulk of the game in the first half and took a deserved, albeit lucky lead midway through the half. They won a free kick-some 30 yards out with Steven Thomson favourite to take it, and his effort took a wicked deflection on its way into the net with the keeper stranded. Larkhall then had a Stephen Donnachie effort come crashing back off the bar before the referee blew for half time.

The second half belonged to Larkhall but they couldn't make the breakthrough to take the tie to a replay and it was Newtongrange who take their place in the last 16 for the third season in a row.

Larkhall: Budinaiskis, Carson, Shanks, McNulty, A Shields, Doyle, Donnachie, Clarke, Carr, Menelaws, Watson. Subs: Campbell, S Shields, Earlie, McLaughlin, Thomson, Kondol.

Newtongrange: Hill, Britton, Forbes, McNicol, Whyte, McCulloch, Brown, Thomson, Umatong, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: McKenzie, R Fairbairn, A Fairbairn, Affleck Gourlay, Swaney, Lunn.