Wednesday 19 August 2009
Newtongrange Star v Linlithgow Rose
League Cup Group Section Match

Rose produced their best performance so far this season in a terrific match at Newtongrange against the local “Star”. However for a short spell during the second half the game could easily have gone the other way. In a five minute spell Mark Roberston found himself making 3 rash tackles on his opponent. He narrowly missed at least a yellow for the first, it arrived soon after with a second careless tackle and if that was not enough two minutes later he tripped the star winger in the penaltybox. Not surprisingly he received his second yellow. Star were awarded the penalty which they converted and Rose found themselves down 2-1 and also reduced to 10 men with 25 minutes to go.

This had been forecast as the “decider” in this group but Armadale were lurking too close for comfort. The game started slowly but after 10 minutes Rose stepped up a gear. Smith and Tyrell who were both outstanding in midfield throughout took control and the ball was being neatly fed through on the ground to Manson who was playing in the hole behind the strikers and who began to influence the game with some superb close control passing and quality strikes at goal. Herd and Coyne were causing the Star defence all sorts of problems and with the Star keeper looking far from safe on the night a goal looked like coming. Just after 30 minutes of play Tommy Coyne rose above the keeper on the six yard line to head home a deep cross from the right to put Rose deservedly ahead.

No sooner had the celebrations ceased when Star struck back. A good diagonal ball from the left found the Star forward seemingly unmarked at the back post and he was able to rifle the ball home unchallenged. Rose had again succumbed to the counter punch and not for the first time this season lost an advantage almost immediately, something the manager will no doubt wish to work on. Rose continued to press creating some good openings but the match remained all square at 1-1 at half time.

Half Time; Star 1 Rose 1

Star began the half with a little more purpose but the Rose were soon back in command and again looked like taking the lead. Then came Robbo’s 3 moments of madness and things began to look ominous for the group leaders. A Rose defeat would have left Armadale clear at the top of the section with only one match to play. A win was therefore necessary for Rose to maintain the initiative and go into Saturday’s match with Spartans knowing that qualification was in their own hands entirely.

With the resilience that was nowhere to be found last season the Gallant rose to the challenge and armed with the superior fitness levels which have been achieved by the management team with the squad this season the 10 men of the Rose again took control. Soon, McLennan made a powerful run through the Star defence down the right (where he looked more comfortable having switched sides) and hit a hard low shot to the keeper’s right. The Star goalkeeper got down well but could only parry the ball. Gordon Herd, despite having to make up ground on two defenders who were closer to the ball, sprinted to reach it first and slide it into the net for the equaliser.

Much to their credit Rose were not content with a draw and spurred on by the tireless Danny Smith began pressing for a winner. The Star players had been tormented by Stephen Manson all night and it was probably of little surprise to them when he took advantage of confusion within the home defence tricking his way past two central defenders and finishing coolly from 12 yards out. The highpoint of a great evening was his celebration slide on the slick surface towards the Rose support to be engulfed by his team mates. The joy on the young man’s face was a joy to behold. Stephen Manson last evening became a fully paid up member of Linlithgow Rose FC. Long may he continue.

Rose played out the last 15 minutes again with determination and no little skill and ran out worthy winners after 5 minutes of add on time which the referee seemingly found somewhere.

As expected the experimental sides of the past weeks were replaced by a side which apart from the missing Donnelly must be very close to the manager’s first team selection on present form. Similarly the bench appears must stronger this season and competition for places will be intense in the weeks ahead. It does seem that this group of players adapt better to a 5-3-2 formation which suits our wingbacks whilst giving us height and strength at the back. In Manson we may well have found a creative midfield attacking player which we have lacked for a few seasons.

Keep it going Rose but remember there will be no easy games in the Super League. Rose sit top of the section 3 points ahead of Armadale and with a superior goal difference by 6 goals with just the one match for each to play. Newtongrange are now out of the qualification race.

Team: Pinkowski, Wilson, Ward, Hogg in defence, Robertson, Smith, Tyrell, McLellan and Manson in midfield, with Coyne and Herd as strikers.

Subs: McDermott, Parkin, Livingston, McArthur and Kelly