Star 3 Tynecastle Star 1

Star 3 Tynie 1
League match

Chris
Cleishy, Aitchy, Robbo, Chiefy.
Craig, Dingo, Mikey, Graham
Peter, Paul.

Sean
Stewart
Liam
Garry
Rasho

It was back to winning ways for the Star boys on Saturday as they produced a fine performance to see off Tynecastle in the first league match since the Whitson game on September 20.
A couple of changes from the debacle of the week before, but no panic measures as the Star faced what was a stern test against a side established in the top third of the table for the last few years.
And another excellent team display was rewarded as goals from Craig, Graham (direct from a corner) and an og settled this affair with Cleishy putting into his own net when (according to Cheeeeefy) a simple clearance was on. . . . .
Star started quickly with a good warm-up and were boosted by the sight of ex-Star player, Rafa Benitez, visiting from Madreeed - although this boost was cancelled out by the shambolic sight of Dougie (ex-striker) dressed in his Russian Cossack granny’s dressing gown. Apparently the fashion police are hunting him and the sooner he’s locked up, the better.
Flowing football was at a premium as the ball was skelped from back to front with monotonous regularity, but when either side got it down, glimpses of quick, accurate passing moves were produced by both sides, although the Star looked the more composed outfit at this stage.
Cheeeefy at left back started his first match for the Star and played with composure and intelligence, winning challenges regularly and linking up well with Graham on the left and Aitchy inside him (when I say inside him, I don’t mean. . . well you know what I mean), keeping possession and moving the ball around the back four as the Tynie team chased around.
The breakthrough came on 26 minutes from a throw in the ball was worked back to Chiefy and his inch-perfect delivery found Craig Murray’s bonce and he flicked it over the luminous ‘keeper for his third goal of the season. This long throw should have been rewarded more often as Macca won the header regularly and it was only bad timing of the run for the second ball that marred this tactic. Something to work on, I think. So, basically, this “well-rehearsed” move didn’t actually work after all.
Progress was made down the Star’s left where Macca in particular was fed regularly and a couple of his crosses
deserved to have a better result. Pistol almost managed to poke one in but was a fraction too late. Probably his choice of boots. At least he doesn’t leave them in the changing room though!
Chris in goal looked much more confident than last week with clear shouts and clean handling with a couple of good saves (one for the camera) thrown in (not actually thrown in), but since his kicking was erratic, Aitchy took on the bye-kicks - a useful weapon to get us deep into the opposition territory.
Cleishy and Robbo were tigerish in the tackle with the former having a good tussle with ex-Star man, Dario, but it has to be said that Cleishy won this particular battle, albeit with a little help from the superb Robbo. Aitchy was his usual dependable self winning the ball cleanly, always available, and spreading the play both left and right (although not at the same time). He ought to win more MoM but is a victim of his own consistency and it’s expected that he’ll put in a polished performance every week.
The midfield battle was just that, but Star have shown they can win the physical challenge in this division as well as producing the quality of football required to entertain the huge crowd which had gathered at sunny Riccarton on a day which would freeze a man’s balls off even with two pairs of pants on. Just ask Watty about his beige pair (ex-large).
Craig and Gam kept posession well on half-way with Mikey in particular well up for a scrap as Dingo showed an urgency which had been lacking in the last match with his first touch usually sublime, although giving the ball away more often than most as he tried too many risky passes.
Pistol did nearly all of Macca’s running for him as Macca did nearly all of Pistol’s and this arrangement seems to work quite well as they gave the opposing back division no peace at all. And it’s maybe unfair to point out that this game was almost unique in that it was the only time this season that either of these two had not got on the score sheet (apart from the Whitson defeat where Star could only manage a unique blank.
Half time was uneventful with no injuries reported or changes required. But it was pointed out that the easy part had been done and we would have to dig deep to kill the game off.
And that’s precisely what the Star did as after 16 minutes of the restart, Graham bent a right-wing corner in and it flew over the ‘keeper’s flailing arms for the second goal as the Gam man got off the mark for his first goal for the mighty Star.
Then Macca was put through with a superb pass from Dingo, but with only the ‘keeper to beat he blasted the ball up to the rugby pitch in the mistaken belief that the Scotland Ladies team were there.
The midfield battle continued at a furious pace and at 2-0 down, Tynie moved a player to flood that area and they had their best spell around then, and Star were on the back foot for spells without looking to concede and it was time for a change.
The Tynie No 8 was given too much room at this stage and fresh legs were brought on in the shape of Rasho (actually it really WAS Rasho) as Craig went to centre mid with Rasho instructed to get down the flanks but keep his defensive head on first and foremost. Dingo was replaced as he appeared to be running on empty and his excellent shift was over.
An unfortunate og (aren’t they all?) finished the game as the Tynie defence was pressured so intensely that a mix-up ensued and the ball floated over the hapless ‘keeper. If only he had been as bright as his ridiculous pink outfit. And this was just reward for the unselfish running of Pistol!
Macca was next to be withdrawn as he just couldn’t keep up with Pistol’s pace and begged for a rest. This he was granted as Sean stepped in and Pistol was asked to play somewhat deeper, as, with no need to chase the game Star just had to play out time.
Indeed, Sean might (should) have scored as his first touch let him down 12 yards out and the chance was gone.
At this stage, Mikey and Tynie’s No. 6 swapped Christmas cards and Mikey’s red mist came back as he wiped the friendly chap out on the home touchline. This was the signal for Mr Latto to blow for full-time and the ensuing fracas was handbags although the big No 6 threw his toys out of his pram. (resisting other jibes at the moment).
It was a daft thing to do, exacting revenge on full-time as a yellow, or even a red could have been shown and the repercusions in the shape of points/suspension would not have helped the Star cause.
A fine win and Star showed definited symptons of “bouncebackability” as the 3 points hoisted them up to 6th in the table.
MoM: Robbo
R/u: Cleishy
Dissapointing aspect of this match was the no-show of 3 Star players who are injured at the moment.

Next match (weather permitting) home v Tartan in the League.

All players bring training gear as if the game’s orf something else will be arranged.

Bo'ness 8 Star 2

East of Cupland Scot. Round 2

Down 7-0 at half-time, Star rallied in the second period, after a couple of changes were made, both to personnel and attitudes.
Pistol scored Star's first and Macca converted a twice-taken penalty for two well-deserved strikes. While these two got pass-marks, too many of their colleagues did not and the result, while not telling the whole tale was never in doubt.
Next game is a league match against table-toppers Tynecastle Star.
Riccarton, ko 2pm.

Star progress in the National Trophy

Scottish Cup
Round 3
Gourock Thistle 1 Watt Star 2
Another fine win for the Star as goals by Macca and Jay Nolan settled this cup tie but this victory was based on exceptional defending which saw the young Gourock side limited to very few goal-scoring chances.
The reward for Star is a home tie against Tullibody Ams from Stirling.
December 6th has been pencilled in for this clash and support at Riccarton would be appreciated.
2pm ko.

Star 5 Silverknowes 0

Although Star led 1-0 at half time, a superb second half performance ensured the Star march into the Second round of the East of Cupland Scot where we play Bo'ness at their patch on November 15
Travel arrangements TBA.