
Season 1908 - 09
Season started at Currie, and resulted in a 3 - 1 win for Arniston over Kinleith Thistle. Arniston carried on the good work with an 8 - 1 win in the East of Scotland Cup over their Edinburgh opponents, Edinburgh Roseberry.
More good wins followed, a 5 - 1 win over Dalkeith Thistle in the League. A hiccup in the Musselburgh Cup after a 3 - 2 defeat by Loanhead Mayflower, was followed by a run of victories, a 2 - 1 victory over Newtongrange Star in the League, a 5 - 3 win over Hearts Tynecastle in a friendly
Season finished with a revenge victory in the Dalmeny Cup over Loanhead Mayflower, by 2 goals to 0, and the satisfaction of winning the Midlothian Junior League after wins over Newtongrange Star, Bonnyrigg Rose and Wallyford Violet.
December 17 1908 Arniston Rangers v Newtongrange Star Midlothian Junior League
Match was played at Newtongrange and ended in a 2 goals to 1 win for Arniston
December 24 1908 Arniston Rangers v Hearts Tynecastle (Friendly)
Match was played at Arniston and ended in a 5 goals to 0 win for Arniston
January 14 1909 Arniston Rangers v Loanhead Mayflower Dalmeny Cup
Match was played at Loanhead and ended in a 2 goals to 0 win for Arniston
February 18 1909 Arniston Rangers v Bonnyrigg Rose Midlothian Junior League
Match was played at Arniston and ended in a 3 goals to 1 win for Arniston
Newspaper Clipping dated 23.4.1908
| Musselburgh Cup Final
Re-play Arniston Rangers v Penicuik Juniors
The above teams met for a second time at Bonnyrigg, on Saturday, before a large attendance of spectators, to decide which was to have the custody of the Musselburgh Cup for season 1907 - 08, the previous meeting a month ago having ended in a goal-less draw. Teams: Rangers - McPhillips; Small, Izett; Wood, McLaren, Murray; McDonald, Meenie, Henderson, Deans, Fairley. Juniors - Hughes; McGowan, Affleck; Fyffe, Kemp, Wilson; Morgan, Fisher, J. Thomson, W. Thomson, Currie. Hughes won the toss for Penicuik, and decided to take advantage of the breeze and incline. Henderson kicked off, but the Juniors were the first to force the pace, and the Arniston defence had their work cut out to keep the eager Juniors from notching a point during the opening stages; in fact the pressure was so severe, that McPhillips had to concede a corner, which was cleared by Murray; while, the next minute, Small brought down Currie just outside the penalty area, but the free-kick was sent sailing over the bar. The Rangers now got set a-going from the bye, and were soon besieging Hughes' charge, a brace of corners being the result, but both proved fruitless. The game now being contested in a spirited fashion, the ball travelling rapidly from end to end; Affleck and Murray being to two outstanding defenders for their respective sides. J.Thomson, with a grand drive, gave McPhillips a fright, the leather, which he seized and threw into touch , striking him with great force. Arniston again got on the move, and some clever combination between Meenie and McDonald was a feature of the game. Only three minutes now remained of the first half to play, when Deans, getting into possession, worked for position, and beat the Penicuik custodian easily from close range. The Juniors came away nicely from the kick-off, and Kemp, with a grand individual effort, almost brought about the downfall of the Ranger's citadel, but, the post intervened, and that only averted disaster. Half-time - Rangers, 1 goal; Juniors, nil. On resuming, it was expected the wind would be a strong factor in the success of the Arniston team, but such did not prove to be the case, as Penicuik more than held their own on the re-commencement of hostilities. Corner after corner came their way, but the defence of the Rangers held out. An unfortunate accident befell Fairley at this period, he receiving a rather serious injury to his left shoulder, which necessitated his having to be assisted from the field. He again made his re-appearance, but was practically of no service to his side. Arniston seemed contented to rely on their goal lead, and played more of a defensive game in the second half. Deans should have put the issue beyond doubt, but he was not speedy enough to take advantage of a grand pass from Meenie. Penicuik resorted to the one-back game, and play became dull and uninteresting till the close. Result: Arniston Rangers, 1 goal; Penicuik Juniors, nil. Arniston who turned out in green and white jerseys and white knickers, well deserved their win, and played with more method than their rivals; McLaren, Murray and Meenie being the pick of the side. The Juniors were well served by Hughes, Affleck, Wilson, Kemp and J. and W. Thomson and, with a little more methodical play introduced by the front rank, ought yet to come out on top. The "gate" exceeded £27. |
Newspaper Clipping dated 14.5.1908
| ARNISTON RANGERS FOOTBALL
CLUB - The annual general meeting took place on Thursday last in the
pavilion, Mr. R. Brown in the chair. The secretary read the minutes of
the last general meeting, which were adopted on the motion of A. Calder,
seconded by J. Vickers. Mr. R. Wallace, treasurer, gave the financial
report which showed the income from 1st July 1907, to April 30th, to be
£117 7s 1d, and the expenditure £97 19s 8d, leaving a balance of £19
7s 5d. This was considered most satisfactory. Mr. P. Toole, secretary,
gave a report of matches played by both elevens. The Rangers had played
39 matches, of which were won 24, lost 7, drawn 8; the club scored 86
goals, and had 41 against them. The Thistle had played in all 21
matches, of which there were won 7, lost 9, drawn 5; they scored 29
goals with 35 against. On the motion of J. Vickers seconded by J. Bone,
the secretary's report was adopted.
The report was described as being one of the most satisfactory in the history of the club. Several questions of interest were asked by various members, and were answered from the chair to the satisfaction of all. The usual remuneration was unanimously voted the officials for their labours during the season. With the exception of two changes in committee, the officials were unanimously re-elected to serve the club another season. A very heated discussion arose about the green and white jerseys got lately by the committee as an emergency set to use when required. Ultimately it was unanimously agreed to retain the jerseys. Several members of committee complained of having been insulted on the street regarding the colour of the jerseys. The secretary was instructed to summon before the committee any members guilty of such conduct. It was agreed to hold a juvenile five-a-side competition. The thanks of the club were awarded to Colonel Dundas for his kindness in getting the water supply put into the pavilion. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed a very harmonious meeting. |
Newspaper Clipping dated 4.6.1908
| Dalkeith Thistle v Arniston
Rangers - These teams met at Newtongrange on Friday night, in the final
tie of the Dalmeny Cup competition. The weather conditions were ideal,
and there was a large attendance. Teams:- Dalkeith - Carr; Laidlaw,
Kennedy; Sim, Jack, Berne; A.Hume, Ross, Burns, T. Hume, Cochrane.
Arniston - McPhillips; Chatham, Izett; Wood, McLaren, Murray; McDonald,
Meannie, Kinloch, Deans, O'Brien.
Arniston won the toss, and decided to kick with the sun at their backs Burns kicked off for the "Jags" who immediately attacked, Burns sending past. Arniston were not long in getting to the other end, where Laidlaw gave them the right-about. Dalkeith returned to the attack, and for a time kept the Arniston defence on tenterhooks. A good shot from Ross was smartly thrown out by McPhillips, and A. Hume, catching the ball, sent widely past. Arniston had more of the game after this, but were never really dangerous. A spirited run by O'Brien was stopped in the nick of time by Sim, and the Thistle returned to the attack, with no more success than before. A long shot by Murray gave McDonald a chance, which he made good use of, beating Carr from the six yards' line, leaving the custodian no chance to save. Dalkeith played up better after this, but their old failing in the shooting line robbed them of several chances. Nearing the interval, Arniston increased their total to two through O'Brien. Half-time - Arniston 2 goals; Dalkeith 0. On resuming, Dalkeith pressed, and Burns was unlucky with a good shot, which just carried over. Sim next had a chance, but he lashed the ball yards too high. Arniston got away on the right, and McDonald, sending across a good centre, Deans missed by inches. A heavy mist was now beginning to fall, and play was difficult to follow. The players were going about in a hum-drum sort of way, until Burns broke away, but after passing all opposition he overrun the ball in the goalmouth. Play continued quiet for some time after this, and when the Thistle next attacked, the ball struck the side of the post and came out again. Arniston after this fright, put more vigour into their play, and the ball was in the Thistle's territory when the whistle sounded. Result: - Arniston Rangers, two goals; Dalkeith Thistle, nil. |
Newspaper Clipping dated 2.7.1908
| Newtongrange Star v
Arniston Rangers - These teams met at the Recreation Grounds of the
Edinburgh Exhibition on Monday night, in the final round of the
Exhibition Cup. There was a large attendance, and a special train was
run from Gorebridge, which brought over 400 followers. Teams:- Star -
Ewing; Smith, Jack; Buchan, Lockhart, Melville; Waddell, Inrigg,
Henderson, Brown, Menzies. Rangers.-.McPhillips; Small, Wood; Jones
(Arniston Thistle), McLaren, Murray; McDonald, Meenie, McLennan
(Edinburgh West End), Deans, O'Brien. Arniston won the toss, and
Henderson kicked off for Newtongrange. The opening stages were evenly
contested, until Brown and Menzies carried the ball well in, the latter
sending narrowly past. Arniston now became dangerous, and O'Brien
travelled to the other end, where Ewing was called upon to save. After
this fright, the Star once more became aggressors, and hemmed the
Rangers into their own territory. During a melee in the maroon goal,
Small fouled the ball with his hand, and the referee awarded a penalty
kick to the Star. Lockhart who took the kick, sent the ball in somewhat
tamely, and McPhillips cleared. The Star still maintained the upper
hand, and a bad tackle by Small allowed Waddell to run in and score.
Arniston now had more of the game, and Ewing was prominent with a couple
of fine saves. A foul was given against Ewing for running too far with
the ball. Small took the kick, and the ball coming to Murray he shot
wildly past. A good run by the Star forwards presented Henderson with a
fine cross which he failed to take advantage of. Another fine cross saw
Waddell send wildly over the bar. Half-time - Star, 1 goal; Arniston, 0.
On resuming, Star took up the aggressive, and Brown and Menzies were very prominent on the left. Gradually the Rangers assumed the aggressive, and for a period confined the Star to their own end. During this time a feature of the play was the fine saving of Ewing, who came to the rescue of his side time and again, saving one with a crowd of players on top of him. Arniston were awarded a corner, but McDonald sent past. The Star gained ground through Waddell, and Henderson had hard lines with a shot which struck the upright and went past. A fine kick by Jones, who was playing a good game, saw Meenie in possession, who, after beating a couple of opponents, gave to McDonald. The latter forced a corner off Jack, but the ball was cleared by Melville. The Star left carried the ball to the other end, where a fine cross by Menzies was converted by Henderson. Newtongrange continued to have the bulk of the play till the whistle sounded. Result:- Newtongrange Star, 2 goals; Arniston Rangers, 0. By winning this tie Newtongrange Star become winners of this cup, badges being also presented to them and the other finalists. It is said the Star officials intend putting it up for yearly competition among the local juvenile teams, which seems a very praiseworthy thing to do. The game was well contested all through, with the Star having a might pull. The outstanding men for the Star were Ewing, Smith, Brown, Menzies, and for Arniston, Jones, McLaren, Wood, Deans. |
Newspaper Clipping dated 20.5.1909
| MID-LOTHIAN JUNIOR LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP
Arniston Rangers have now attained the honour of being the champions of the above League for season 1908-09. With 17 games played, they still retain an unbeaten certificate, having 30 points out of a possible 36, and a match in hand. Their nearest rivals - Newtongrange Star, Penicuik Juniors, and Musselburgh Athletic - are 8, 9, and 8 points respectively behind the leaders, so that the result of the forthcoming game between Musselburgh and Arniston will in no way jeopardise the latter's position as champions. |