Nova Star 2011’s

Fixtures for the first rounds of the Scottish and Regional Cups ⚽️🏆

Match Report - 25th August
League Cup
Nova Star 4 Kennoway Star Hearts 1

Nova came out of the blocks well and succeeded in not allowing Kennoway to settle from the off. After just 3 minutes Fraser had a great run down the left, beating several players and squaring the ball to Kelvin, whose shot was accidentally headed in by a defender. Early lead for the home side! Own goal, 1-0 Nova.

Nova looked dangerous going forward in a quite thrilling first 15 minutes. Sasha was causing trouble on the left, marauding into the box and drawing fouls from the stretched Kennoway defence. Jack tried an audacious lob from the edge of the area that went just over. Connor got into a great position to shoot but it was lofted over.

Just after the quarter hour, Nova received a yellow for a late challenge. Kennoway wasted the free kick from just outside the area.

The ref waved away sideline and Nova player protests after Sasha was clearly caught (audibly!) in the box and crashed to the floor. No pen.

Undeterred, Nova began to turn the screw. Kelvin and Connor combined well, feeding Robbie who shot hard but just over. Ashton took a free kick awarded on 22min after a Kennoway tackle, Ashton's effort was hard, on target drawing a good save from their keeper. Nova's pressure finally yielded a result from Logan's free kick on 29min. Jack headed in unchallenged. 2-0 Nova.

Kennoway had moments of defensive solidity, but little threat. Just two minutes after Jack's goal though, Nova underlined their dominance when the red and black shirts rampaged through Kennoway's stunned defence, giving Robbie a coolly taken finish past the keeper. 3-0 Nova.

The awareness and drive from Nova kept coming and just two minutes after our third goal, Kelvin managed a great snapshot on the turn from about ten yards out. Fantastic reaction save from Kennoway's keeper. On 37 min after a corner, Jack headed the ball up, it hit his shoulder, it broke to Robbie and he sliced a beautiful shot through a few players and into far corner. 4-0 Nova.

Just before half time, the ref started the first of several cards for what seemed like dissent, trying to stamp his authority on what didn't seem like a particularly wild match.

HT Nova 4 - 0 Kennoway

Very early into the second half, a yellow card for a Kennoway defender for a kick into Jack's chest. Robbie's chance for a hat-trick would have to wait though as his penalty was saved! Kennoway's keeper was already shaping up to be their man of the match!

As if gathering momentum from that let-off, Kennoway became more threatening - hitting the bar and shooting just wide.

Josh got into a great position on 53 min with the goal at his mercy, but couldn't convert the cross. Robbie had a great run, using great feet and finishing with a cheeky shot which the keeper just saved. Taylor hit the post after great endeavour just after the hour mark.

Kennoway scored the goal that had eluded them on 68 min. There was a long punt, the bounce deceived Rhys and although he got a hand to it, a Kennoway forward tapped in. 4-1 Nova.

The match sort of fizzled out but there were huge cheers on 80 min from Nova players and supporters alike. A fantastic performance and win from the team that put Saturday's narrow 2-1 win over Newburgh in the shade. Credit to Kennoway for keeping pushing throughout.

Goals:
Robbie ⚽⚽
Jack ⚽
OG ⚽

We wish all the best to Kennoway for the rest of the season.

Nova Star v Newburgh 22/08/26
League Cup Group A

Another lovely day for football as Nova faced Newburgh in match 3 of the League Cup.

Both teams seemed up for the match with plenty back and forth play in the opening exchanges, with Nova finding themselves offside on a few occasions.

A goal looked on with Sasha sashying his way up the wing forcing a corner, which was subsequently lost. Further play in the box, but Nova couldn't find the net.

At 10mins, Ashton passed to Sasha, who took a good touch and looped over the keeper. 1:0

Further offside calls for Nova disrupted their flow, but we continued to attack, struggling to find shots on target.

Well won ball by Jack, played Kelvin through, good strike found the keeper who was injured in the process. After a bit of stoppage, keeper recovered and play continued.

Against the run of play, Newburgh had an easy through ball which saw Nova sleeping and they looped it in…1:1

A tackle on Fraser led to a lovely free kick from Ashton but a great save by keeper. Nova had a number of corners but were struggling to capitalise on these.

A foul for hands on the back, led to a free kick to NB, blocked by Nova defense, who then had a breakaway in attack, with the shot over the bar.

HT 1:1

Second half, Nova came out fighting. Sasha was on fire battling through, and gained a free kick, but again, Nova were unable to convert into a goal. Another phase of attack resulted in a Nova corner, scrappy play before a strike and brilliant keeper save.

7 mins into the half, Kelvin worked his way up the wing and into box and finished nicely. 2:1

A lot of hard work from Logan, unfortunately resulted in a shot wide. There was frantic play in the NB half, but NB defended well. A great ball through to Taylor to Logan for the ref to call offside when a NB player was next to the goalkeeper!

Another attacking opportunity for Nova saw Sasha taken down in the box, Novas penalty went just wide. This was quickly followed by NB being awarded an indirect free kick- calm nerves saw a save by Rhys.

FT 2:1

You could sense the disappointment from the players for not being at their usual form and a game of struggling to capitalise on opportunities, however Nova have come away with the win.

We wish Newburgh the best of luck with the rest of their season.

Match Report - 18th August
League Cup
Dundonald Bluebell 5- Nova Star 4

Nova travelled to Gilvenbank Park last night and it was clear from the start that the boys were up for it which made for a physical game.

Nova had a few misplaced passes but were the greater threat. Logan had a header from Ashton's corner after 10 min, just wide.

Unfortunately at 18 mins the deadlock was broken when Dundonald were awarded a penalty which put them ahead

On 26 min Josh had a close range one on one, which the keeper gathered.

Just one minute later, Nova put a hopeful ball down the line, Dundonald didn’t deal with it and Robbie rolled it past the keeper…

Nova kept the pressure on and didn’t allow Dundonald to be comfortable.

Logan and Alfie showed defensive excellence, on 36 min they neutralised a dangerous run and goal attempt from their no. 66.

2nd half

47 min Nova were in dreamland. A delightful ball from Robbie was smashed into the net by Kelvin! 1-2

The lead didn't last, and on 50min it was 2-2. Nova stood off, and Dundonald enjoying the lack of pressure produced a long range shot into the right of net.

The tenacity on display from many was impressive against this 2nd placed team from last season.

On the hour mark, Dundonald won a throw, worked it across the pitch, their boy breaks clear on left, finishes across Rhys for 3-2

What a game this was proving to be. Pen to Nova just 4 minutes later. Robbie made no mistake, 3-3.

A dubious pen was given on 73 min for Dundonald, 4-3.

With just three minutes to go: Sasha!!! 4-4. Keeper mistake from his long range daisy-cutter but Nova took it all day long. Scenes on the touchline!!

Until....3 min into stoppage time, a Dundonald header went in from a corner. They were winning a lot of the arial duels during the game and this was no different.

The Nova boys matched Dundonald and exceeded them at times. A thoroughly entertaining and eventful match which should give us confidence going into the next game and beyond. Well done lads!

We wish Dundonald Bluebell all the best for the season ahead.

Nova Star v Templehall 15/08/26
League Cup Group A

Perfect weather for Nova to start the season off with a home game in the opening match of the U16s League Cup.

The first quarter saw play going a bit back and forth, predominantly in Templehall's half. Nova kept up sustained pressure, and despite scrappy play, a series of TH free kicks, and some good balls into the centre, they couldn't capitalise. However, 15 mins in, a corner from Ashton played into the middle, Jack chested it down, and volleyed it over the keeper. 1:0

A questionable tackle on Alfie with no card given, but free kick awarded, led to retained possession, and a brilliant run by Sasha, beating two players and finished nicely in the net. 2:0

Another good corner from Ashton, which was initially cleared to the edge of the box, saw a shot by Sasha, spilled by keeper, only for Taylor to pounce on a follow up shot. 3:0

Nova continued to pressurise through a free kick from Logan, which was on target but saved by the keeper. Shortly after, Fraser had a strike which was sent wide.

Taylor was then fouled in the box, and the ref pointed to the penalty spot. Robbie placed a solid shot into the bottom right corner. 4:0

HT 4:0

Second half was much more scrappy play, although Nova had majority possession. There were a variety of decent corners and shots on goal, but the keeper made saves. Following a tackle on Logan, Nova received a yellow card for backchat. The resultant corner was well taken, however Rhys punched it clear.

TH went on the attack again, however were called offside, then kicked the ball away, so were given a yellow.

Kelvin went on a dominant run and finished with a lovely goal to make it 5:0.

The game deteriorated a bit after this, with a bad foul on Alfie, resulting in a straight red for a TH player, and unfortunately the ref reported retaliation so a second yellow for Nova player saw them also sent off. The Ref then had words with both sidelines and some supporters to try and calm the game.

In the final minutes, Nova were on the attack and a further foul tackle led to another yellow card for TH, before FT was called shortly after.

FT 5:0

In the end, a well won game for Nova, and strong form from players across the board. We wish Templehall all the best for their Cup run and season.

5:0

⚽Jack
⚽Sasha
⚽Taylor
⚽Robbie
⚽Kelvin

Happy 40th Birthday Kris. Have the best day 🍻