Season 1978-1979
Season started with Arniston losing 2 - 0 to Newtongrange Star in the League Cup, Beating Bonnyrigg Rose 1 - 0 in the League Cup, Losing 3 - 0 to Bo'ness United at Bo'ness in the Brown Cup. Highlight of September was the match between Arniston and the Scottish Junior Select to celebrate Arniston's centenary. Arniston team: Horne, Lynch, Cruickshank, Logan, Fyfe, Henry, Aird, Smith, Little, Neilson. Subs. Thomson, Conlon. Arniston scorers: Smith, Neilson 2. Result - Arniston 3, SJFA Select
Arniston's league programme proper started with a good 5 - 1 win over West Calder United in the B League, Arniston scorers, Thomson 2, Little, Lynch, Blues. Season progressed with Arniston playing well, beating St. Andrews 2 - 0 in the Fife & Lothians Cup, 2 - 0 win over Haddington Athletic at Arniston in the league, Arniston scorers, Lynch (Pen.), Thomson, beating West Calder 3 - 2 in the Drybrough Cup replay at Arniston, beating Sauchie Juniors 2 - 1 in the Fife & Lothians Cup at Sauchie, beating Polkemmet Juniors 2 - 1 in the league at Arniston, Arniston scorers, Ret, Aird.
Arniston still unbeaten in 'B' League.
Arniston took their exit from the Scottish Junior Cup in early December by being defeated in the second round by Darvel. Arniston were also defeated by West Calder United in December, losing by 1 - 0 in the league at West Calder, to lose their unbeaten record.
The rest of the season passed for Arniston with one name on their lips, Whitburn Juniors. Arniston played Whitburn Juniors in the Drybrough Cup and after four hundred and fifty minutes play, Arniston lost out in extra time. The following week Arniston were defeated by Whitburn Juniors 2 - 0 in the league at Whitburn. Arniston's final game of the season ended in a 2 - 1 defeat by Bonnybridge Juniors in the league.
Newspaper Clipping dated 14.9.1978
|
RANGERS SURPRISE SELECT
As part of Arniston Rangers centenary celebrations, the Midlothian club faced a strong Scottish Junior FA Select side at Newbyres Park, Gorebridge on Sunday. The game however, was completely spoiled by a blustery wind. In a goal-less first half the Select were the more dangerous side and the home defence was fully extended to prevent them scoring. On three occasions the ball was cleared from the goal line. The nearest to a score was the couple of shots from the respective left wingers, Murphy of Bellshill and Neilson of the Rangers, both of whom hit the woodwork. The home side broke the deadlock shortly after the break when Smith from a left wing cross headed past keeper McLaren of Linlithgow. The Select fought back gamely but their raids were quickly quelled by the Rangers defence in which keeper Horne was prominent. With fourteen minutes to go Rangers increased their lead following a Select defensive lapse, Neilson breaking away to beat McLaren. In the closing minutes the same player added a third Rangers goal to give his side a deserved victory. Teams - Arniston Rangers - Horne, Lynch, Cruickshank, Logan, Fyfe, Henry, Aird, Smith, Little, Neilson. Subs., Thomson and Conlon. Select - McLaren (Linlithgow), Freedham (Petershill), Leckie (Darvel), McGoldrick (Kilbirnie), McManus (Lochee), Aitchison (Bonnyrigg), Smyth (Perthshire), Goodall (Carnoustie), McNeill (Carnoustie), Craig (Perthshire), Murphy (Bellshill). Subs., Clarke (Irvine Meadow) and Buckley (Bonnyrigg.
|
October 12 1978 Arniston Rangers v Armadale Thistle Edinburgh & District League
Match was played at Armadale and ended in a 2 goals to 1 win for Arniston
Newspaper Clipping date 31.5.1979
|
RANGERS MUST WAIT
Arniston Rangers 2 Armadale Thistle 0 Arniston Rangers completed their East Region Junior 'B' Division League programme on Monday evening when, in a scrappy home encounter, in which both sides missed chances, they beat Armadale Thistle by a clear two goal margin. Their scorers were Thomson and Smith. By their win, the Rangers took over the leadership of the 'B' league table with twenty eight points from twenty two outings, a point ahead of Whitburn Juniors who however, have two games in hand. The Rangers will require to await the outcome of these games, one of which is against Bonnybridge Juniors, who presently have twenty one points from seventeen games, before they know if they are 'B' league champions or one of the two clubs to be promoted next season to the 'A' Division or destined to remain in the 'B' Division for at least another season.
|
April 26 1979 Arniston Rangers v Whitburn Juniors Drybrough Cup, Replay
Match was played at Arniston and ended in a 0 - 0 draw
May 3 1979 Arniston Rangers v Whitburn Juniors Drybrough Cup, 3rd game
Match was played at Whitburn and ended in a 0 - 0 draw
May 10 1979 Arniston Rangers v Newtongrange Star Scottish Brewers Cup
Match was played at Newtongrange and ended in a 2 goals to 0 win for the Star
May 17 1979 Arniston Rangers v Whitburn Juniors Drybrough Cup, 4th game
Match ended in a 1 - 1 draw
Arniston scorer: Thomson
After extra time and four hundred and fifty minutes play, Whiteburn advance to round 3
Midweek Arniston Rangers v Whitburn Juniors Edinburgh & District League
Match was played at Whitburn and ended in a 2 goals to 0 win for Whitburn
Newspaper Clipping dated 21.6.1979
|
The retained and unretained players are:-
Arniston Rangers - Retained - Michael Horne, Dougals Sharkey, Samuel Lynch, John Cruickshank, James Berrie, James Little, James Pryde, John Fyfe, James Logan, James Aird, Allan McLeod, Gordon Smith, George Thomson, James Anderson, Graham Robertson, James Urquhart. Unretained - none.
|