Midlothian derby win over Whitehill can fire up Newtongrange Star's season says winger

Neither side approached the game with much form, Star with just one win from their opening five, while Welfare had lost their opening six, but five-star Newtongrange displayed the gulf in class between the two sides with a convincing 5-0 victory to send their rivals rock bottom.

“We thought it was going to be a hard game because Whitehill are in a bit of a sticky situation like ourselves - we both hadn’t got off to a great start,” said McIntosh. “The boys were class, we really needed the three points because we have another two big games coming up that we think we should get maximum points out of. I think this result can kick-start our season, definitely. We will hopefully kick on from now.”

The contest was over by half-time as Star were so quick out the traps. Striker Craig O’Reilly tucked away a fourth minute penalty after McIntosh was brought down by Ross Connell

It was 2-0 on the half hour after substitute Dan McBay squared the ball across goal for Kyle Mitchell to slide in and finish. Welfare goalkeeper Ross Coats had barely made a save, yet he was picking the ball out of his net for a third time after Ryan Porteous’ shot deflected off defender Connell to wrong foot his own keeper.

Whitehill player-boss Neil Janczyk had obviously seen enough as he substituted himself off at half-time. He would have been pleased with the fight shown by his players early in the second half as they tried to fit their way back into it, but another O’Reilly spot-kick and a stunner from McIntosh ensured no way back.

On his goal, a 25-yard volley, McIntosh said: “It just came to me, P [Ryan Porteous] undercut the pass and I just flicked it past the defender and it just set up beautifully, so I just hit it - I think it was a mishit - and it went into the top corner. I’ve probably scored better than that, but hopefully it will be up there for goal of the season.

“I was at Whitehill for a year but it didn’t really work out for me, then I played amateur for Edinburgh South Vics last season. I’m loving being at Nitten, it’s a great club. That’s me scored three goals now and hopefully I can keep banging them in.”

The gap tightened at the top of the table as both leaders Tranent and Lothian Thistle dropped their first points of the season. Tranent kept their unbeaten record in tact as they drew 1-1 at Dunbar United, while Lothian lost their 100-per-cent record as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Sauchie.

That was good news for the chasing pack as Musselburgh Athletic moved up to third after an impressive 2-1 victory away to Camelon with Nathan Evans getting the winner. Penicuik Athletic came out on top at home to Tynecastle with Joe Viola’s volley securing a 2-1 win, while Broxburn Athletic edged an entertaining West Lothian derby with Blackburn United 4-2.

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