9th February 2019. Leith Athletic v Newtongrange Star 1-1

With Hearts playing in the Scottish Cup tomorrow afternoon I had another Saturday where I had to decide which game to go and watch. My choices were reduced as I will not go to Easter Road on a matter of principle and both Edinburgh United and Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale were called off in the morning as pitches were unplayable. My choice therefore was Civil Service Strollers v Edinburgh University, Tynecastle v Bonnyrigg or Leith Athletic v Newtongrange Star. I decided to head out to watch the Leith game for two reasons. Firstly the previous two games between the sides this season had ended 9-1 to Newtongrange and 2-2 with five red cards over the two matches.and secondly I had not seen Leith play at their new venue, the 3G pitch at Edinburgh University's Peffermill grounds. Leith had to vacate Meadowbank's 3G pitch as the stadium is being demolished and rebuilt. Leith are now looking at a new venue in the Edinburgh area that they can use and would in the future allow then to obtain an SFA licence to open the possibility of progressing through the leagues in the pyramid system.

I left the house at 13.35 and caught a number 30 bus to Peffermill arriving near the ground at 14.20. A short walk thereafter and I arrived at the ground at 14.30. Entry was £5 and a programme, which is a good read, costs £2. The ground is open to the elements and the main spectating area is at the top of a grassy mound which was exposed to a bitterly cold wind. However by moving down to the pitch side at the foot of the mound spectators can avoid the worst of the chilling breeze. I had seen Newtongrange previously at Penicuik where they were defeated 4-0. However Star currently stand third in the East of Scotland Conference 'A'. I had not seen Leith play previously this season but recognised a number of names in the side from previous matches I have attended. Leith are currently sixth in conference A with the top five sides in each conference qualifying for the new East of Scotland Premier League next season.

The first half was mostly a midfield battle with Newtongrange have the best chance when George Hunter played Alastair Forster through into the penalty area but he pulled his shot wide. Leith attacked occasionally but were caught offside on a number of occasions with Kyle Mitchell and Stefan Hay being victims of the assistant referees flag. There were four yellow cards in the first half with two on each side. Hunter had an opportunity after a foul on Jack Wilson thirty yards from goal but he fired the ball over the bar. The funniest moment in the first half happened when Leith's Liam Smith fired a foul-mouthed tirade at the Leith management team after they had been shouting instructions from the touchline. If I had been the manager I would have substituted him immediately.   

The deadlock was broken two minutes into the second half when a cross from the right was headed down by Hunter to the unmarked Forster about twelve yards out. He took a touch to control the ball and then shot past the unprotected Campbell McLellan in the Leith goal to put the Star ahead. Star brought on ex-Bonnyrigg and Penicuik striker Sean Jamieson for Forster shortly thereafter as the scorer appeared to be carrying an injury. Leith came more into the game and equalised in seventy-two minutes when a shot from Sonny Swanson was parried by Keiron Renton in the Star goal. However the ball rebounded to Mitchell about sixteen yards from goal and he shot low into the net. Leith had a chance to win the match minutes from the end when a cross from the right by Ryan Mayer was missed by the onrushing Callum Main in the six yard box. Overall a draw was a fair result.

After the game I just missed a number 2 bus but walked for ten minutes to keep warm and caught a 30 at a stop further long the route. Changed to a 300 at South Clerk Street and was home around 17.35 to watch the recording of the Scotland v Ireland rugby international.

Teams

Leith Athletic: McLellan, Summers, Brisbane, Boyd, Lantoine, Smith, Anderson, Mitchell, Hay, Mayer, Swanson

Subs: Mein, Morrice

Newtongrange Star: Renton, Currie, Swaney, Lowson, O'Hara, Forster, Wilson, Bracks, Thomson, Hunter, Lander

Subs: Jamieson, Dunsmore, Richardson