Tayport's survival hopes given a boost

Tayport picked up a much-needed Super League win when they defeated Newtongrange Star at New Victoria Park.

The victory may have been a narrow one, secured with a 71st minute penalty, but ‘Port were worthy winners and could have won more handsomely given the chances created in the second half.

Dale Reid tested home ‘keeper McQueen in the opening seconds of the match, sending in a sizzling strike from the corner of the area, which McQueen tipped over the bar with his fingertips.

Newtongrange perhaps had the better of the rest of the half with ex-Hearts man Craig Thomson smacking a free kick against the bar,

Wilson’s cross for Curren led to the ball flashing wide.

The second half, however, belonged to Tayport. On 50 minutes, Alan Tulleth picked out Danny Cavanagh who shot over from a good position, then, five minutes later, Dale Reid rose to win a header which released Tulleth. He was, however, unable to find the back of the net when through on the ‘keeper.

Next to threaten was Reid, whose overhead kick from Dale Robertson’s set-piece delivery forced McQueen into a fine save.

Reid had been a real threat to the hosts throughout, and he earned the match-winning spot kick when he was fouled by Nitten’s Tulloch. The Star defender was shown a second yellow card and Marc Ogg inflicted further punishment by smashing his penalty high into the net.

Tayport then found themselves down to 10 men when Connelly blotted his copy-book by being shown a straight red card for his late tackle on home midfielder Curren.

The match was ten-a-side for the closing stages and, in injury-time, Dale Reid wriggled his way into the box to win another penalty when he was upended by a defender.

This time, ‘keeper McQueen saved Ogg’s penalty by Tayport held on.

Tayport - Sorley, Ogg, Robertson, Ovenstone, Anderson, Elvin, Rollo, Tulleth (Sutherland), Reid, Cavanagh (Finlay), Connelly.