Derek Hall has joined the sports team on Black Diamond FM, Derek’s report from Easthouses Lilly v Newtongrange Star on 5th January 2019

Derek Hall has now joined me on the sports programmes on Black Diamond FM. With a background in football as a referee for many years, Derek is well known throughout Midlothian to all the clubs, players and managers and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the programmes.

Here is his report from the Easthouses Lilly v Newtongrange Star game on Saturday 5th January 2019

A trip up on the hill today to watch one of three Midlothian derbies taking place today as Easthouses hosted Newtongrange in a game that didn’t disappoint. The Star were first on the front foot and were unlucky not to be ahead within the first 10 minutes when a header smacked off he face of the post with the Easthouses keeper rooted to the spot. Newtongrange continued to press and made the breakthrough midway through the half when George Hunter showed lovely quick feet and great balance to glide past three home defenders within a few yards before drawing the keeper and placing the ball under him for an exceptional score. At this point, this was no more than the Star deserved and although the home side managed to get back into the game a little more towards half time, the 1-0 lead enjoyed at half time to the away side was well merited.
The second half began with Easthouses playing at a much higher tempo and in pushing Chris Taylor into a more advanced role, this would ultimately prove to be a move which would be richly rewarded. The game was competitive but played in an excellent spirit but Easthouses in your face attitude was causing Newtongrange all sorts of problems and it was no surprise just after the hour when a ball in the Star penalty area wasn’t properly cleared and Taylor knocked the ball into the goals and despite an attempt to hook the ball off the line, the goal was correctly awarded, game on!
Newtongrange almost replied in spectacular fashion within two minutes when the excellent Hunter smacked great left footer on goal but the Easthouses keeper made a great stop and the loose ball was cleared by a defender. At the other end a one on one situation for the home side was squandered with a weak shot which the Star keeper was able to comfortably save and hold. After having much the better of the second half, the home side then found themselves under pressure during the final ten minutes, repelling a number of corners but the late drama was to come in the final minute of stoppage time when a beautiful cross was stood up at the far post for Taylor to loop the header back where it came from and into the far corner of the net for the winner with the game ending immediately after the restart..
This was an excellent match, never exactly silky, but competitive and enthralling all the way through and great entertainment to warm the crowd on a very cold afternoon. After controlling the majority of the first half and playing some really good to watch football Star will be wondering how this one got away from them. However the home side will point to an equally dominant second half by them and in pushing Taylor up front they found themselves a finisher who on the day made the difference, roll on 2019 if we get a few more games like this

Derek Hall

David Mcqueenie, the manager of Easthouses, his comments.
Graeme Young was our man of the match who went upfront and changed the game.
Chris Taylor scored our two goals with a close second, a player who has already been awarded man of the match in six previous games.