Season 1985-1986

Arniston started the season losing 3 - 2 to Newtongrange Star in the League Cup at Newtongrange. Arniston team: Stanton, Begbie, Mealyou, Ferguson, J. Landells, Fairley, Rutherford, Brown, An Other, R. Landells, Henderson. Subs: Fleming, Armstrong. Arniston scorers, G. Ferguson, Brown. Arniston were 3 - 0 down at one stage.

Season progressed with another defeat again in the League Cup, this time 3 - 1 to Bonnyrigg Rose. The end of August saw an improvement in Arniston's fortunes with a 1 - 0 win over Penicuik Athletic in the League at Arniston. Arniston scorer, Brown. Another win followed, this time a bit of revenge beating Bonnyrigg Rose 1 - 0 in the League Cup. Arniston scorer, R. Landells.

First week in September saw Arniston lose in the League to Newtongrange Star by 1 - 0, and the following week beat Dunbar United in the Centenary Cup.

October saw Arniston gain a narrow win in the Drybrough Cup, beating Bathgate Thistle 2 - 1 at Arniston. Arniston scorers, R. Landells, Miller. Arniston Rangers beat Bonnybridge Juniors 5 - 1 in the St. Michael Cup, and at the end of the month had a good victory beating Newtongrange Star 2 - 1 in the League at Newtongrange. Arniston scorer, Smith 2. Arniston beat Fauldhouse United 3 - 0 in the League at Arniston. Arniston scorers, Buckley 2, Ferguson.

To take us up to the end of the year Arniston played four games, won two, lost one and drew one.

November saw a 3 - 3 draw with Bonnyrigg Rose at Bonnyrigg, and a 1 - 0 win in the League over Tranent Juniors. Arniston scorer, Fraser. December saw Arniston take their exit from the Scottish Junior Cup, losing 4 - 0 to Neilson Juniors. Following week saw Arniston back on the winning trail, beating Hill 'O' Beith in the Radio Forth Cup by 1 - 0.

January, 1986 saw Arniston lose to Linlithgow Rose 3 - 1 in the League at Arniston, beat Blackburn United 2 - 1 in the League at Blackburn.

March, 1986 saw Arniston play three games, beating Camelon Juniors 2 - 0 in the Centenary Cup at Camelon, Arniston scorer Ovenson 2, losing 2 - 1 to Haddington Athletic in the League at Haddington, and to finish the month - beating Blackburn United 2 - 0 in the League at Arniston. Arniston scorers, Ovenson, Armstrong.

Last five games of the season saw Arniston winning two and losing two, with one drawn.

Season assessment: An ordinary season for Arniston, notable wins included a 2 - 1 defeat of Newtongrange Star in the League Cup at Newtongrange, 3 - 0 win over Fauldhouse United in the League, and a 1 - 0 win in the Radio Forth Cup over Hill 'O' Beith. Two good wins in April, 1 - 0 over Bo'ness United in the League at Bo'ness and 2 - 0 win over Armadale Thistle in the League at Armadale.

April 3 1986 Arniston Rangers v Edinburgh United Edinburgh & District League

Match was played at Arniston and ended in a 1 - 1 draw

Arniston scorer: Cant

April 10 1986 Arniston Rangers v Sauchie Juniors Centenary Cup, 3rd Round

Match was played at Arniston and ended in a 1 goal to 0 win for Sauchie Juniors

April 17 1986 Arniston Rangers v Armadale Thistle Edinburgh & District League

Match was played at Armadale and ended in a 2 goals to 0 win for Arniston Rangers

May 1 1986 Arniston Rangers v Fauldhouse United Edinburgh & District League

Match was played at Fauldhouse and ended in a 1 goal to 0 win for Fauldhouse

Newspaper Clipping dated 3.10.1985

ARNISTON BATTLE TO SURVIVE TOUGH TIE

Arniston Rangers 2 Bathgate Thistle 2 (Drybrough Cup)

Early in the game Bathgate forced a corner from which A. Fowler's shot was punched clear by Stanton.

Later Miller put a lovely ball through the middle, but just a little too far for the Rangers forwards.

In the tenth minute Miller collected a nice ball on the right, and quickly advanced to allow Lapsley to slot the ball past the advancing keeper.

Later, from a free kick, A. Fowler shot well wide of the target.

Buckley broke through the "Jags" defence and put a nice cross into the box, but Lapsley made a good save.

In the closing stages of the first half, Bathgate pulled out all the stops to try and get the equaliser, but Stanton kept his slate clean.

On resuming Bathgate were still trying for the elusive equaliser, but the Arniston defence were well on top and coping well with attacks. Later Bell of Bathgate had a great chance to equalise but he shot wide of target.

A little later still Purdie also had a chance to score because Stanton was slow to react, but luckily for Arniston the shot was off target.

Arniston were now coming more into the game, putting considerable pressure on the Bathgate defence, and the "Jags" had to concede two successive corners. Rangers however, failed to make the pressure pay.

In the seventy eighth minute, Buckley's fierce shot wasn't held by Lapsley and R. Landells supplied the finishing touch to put Rangers two up. But with a couple of minutes left Millar put an atrocious pass back to his keeper and Neil nipped in to collect and beat Stanton to pull one back, but it was too late.

Arniston Rangers: Stanton, Armstrong, Fleming, Begbie, J. Landells, R. Landells, Miller, Rutherford, Stewart, Buckley, Henderson. Subs: Penderleith, Smith.