As we look forward to the season opener this Saturday, albeit with a difference this year – we look back towards the start of lockdown and the incredible success of Donate a Ticket including our run to the Donate a Ticket Scottish Cup Semi-Final. The fundraising platform gave clubs at various levels of Scottish football the ability to generate much needed funds through supporter donations and who could forget how the Scottish Cup weekends were able to capture the imagination.
We managed to upset all odds to reach the semi final and only narrowly missed out on the final. In the process we were able to raise over £6,000 for the club! As I am sure you remember, cup ties took place over a 4 days ending on a Sunday evening. It is still unbelievable to everyone involved with the club the levels of excitement these ties provided, especially in the last hour – not to mention the amazing level of support and donations from our supporters.
Round 1 – Star v Stranraer
The first round was a step into the unknown against SPFL opposition. On paper we were massive underdogs against a club with a larger social media following. It was a tie that ebbed and flowed with both clubs exchanging the lead regularly over the weekend. With just 30 minutes to play Star were behind, only to overturn the deficit in style to win the tie 146 – 128 (AET)
Round 2 – Star v East Stirlingshire
Another tough tie in the 2nd round, again drawn to a club with a higher social media pull and a mainstay in the SPFL structure for decades before dropping down to the lowland league a few seasons back. This one literally went down to the last second, even at full time we didn’t know if we won or lost. After an anxious wait and seeing numbers being counted up we were able to progress, edging it 204-200
Quarter Final – Star v Glasgow City
Another step into the unknown and tough task to make the semi finals against a Women’s Premier League club in Glasgow City. Our opponents are no stranger to representing Scotland in European competition but were no match for the Star support! City had the lead for most of the weekend until Sunday where the tie went back and forth. In the last hour Star stretched away to reach the semis with a 338 v 376 win!!
Semi Final – Star v Beith
The toughest ask of the competition as you would expect at this stage against a club that knocked out one of the Scottish Cup favourites – Raith Rovers, selling 695 tickets in the process. Although the scoreline remained tight, Beith always had the advantage. With 1 hour left to play things got very close, only for Beith to pull away in the closing stages to take the tie 364 – 299.
Beith went on to lift the Scottish Cup with a 969 – 865 win over Tranent!
Although the Scottish Cup finished a few months ago, supporters are still able to make donations to the club through the platform. As we return to competitive action with no supporters being allowed entry all donations would be greatly appreciate as always. https://donateaticket.com/donate/newtongrange-star/
Thank you for your continued support!
Be On The Star
