The Star are through to the next round of the Border Cup after a hard fought victory over Newington Rangers.
After losing to the Star 4-0 last season, the away side started with a defensive formation which the Star struggled to break down but with a lone striker the away side never put the Star’s defence under any pressure during the first half.
The first chance of the game fell to Paul McLarnon but his effort crashed off the post. Next to go close was Paul Brown but he pulled his shot wide when he should've done better.
The main talking point of the first half was a fierce tackle from Philip Savage which resulted in a Rangers player being stretchered off with Savage receiving a yellow card.
Newington continued with their defensive strategy in the second half.
PJ O'Neill was a handful all game for his markers and Murphy, O'Neill, Mooney and Berne all went close.
With 15 minutes left on the clock it was down to the Star’s all time top goal scorer to produce the goods when Paul Brown crashed a header from a Mooney cross off the underside of the bar and in to the net.
Newington then had a man dismissed but nearly equalised late on with a wicked deflection of Berne which crashed of the crossbar.
Deep into injury time Paul Brown bagged himself a brace when he latched on to a defensive error and raced through to side foot the ball past the Rangers ‘keeper.
Next week Star are away to Rathfriland Rangers, kick-off 2pm.
Team: Thompson (7) McDowell (7) Burns (8) Berne (7) Savage (7) Mooney (7) McLarnon (8) Murphy (7) S Brown (7) O'Neill (8) P Brown (9) Substitutes: O'Reilly (6) Hawkins (6) McCafferty (6)
