After suffering a heavy defeat in front of their own support 10 days ago, Newcastle Blue Star were handed an ideal opportunity to offer an ideal response six days later, and in conditions that resembled a mud bath, they would find themselves returning to winning ways.
Once again the setting was Scotswood, once again the conditions on the field of play were less than optimal. This time though, the result was and after going into the break all square, goals from Nelson Ogbewe and Dan Lanning would eventually get the better of visitors Prudhoe YC.
A game that resembled a war of attrition at times and if there was to be a winner last Friday night, it was going to need a moment of quality or perhaps even two. Exactly what both Ogbewe and Lanning were on hand to deliver in the second half, as Blue Star’s promotion push is reignited.
Victory that goes some way to moving on from the 5-0 defeat to Easington Colliery but victory that also saw Marc Nash’s men move back up to second place in the table. As before, it is Blyth Town who sit top with a two-point advantage.
In a recent interview, Nash was quoted as saying that January’s quickfire league schedule will be of benefit to the team and more importantly, the squad that he is trying to fuse together. A run of games for all involved will be helpful, a run of wins even more so.
Which is where Tuesday night comes into focus and a visit to Billingham Town is quickly on the horizon. This fixture has already fallen foul of rescheduling twice already, both sides will be hoping that is third time lucky.
In terms of luck, the hosts have not had too much this season and although they are some distance from the relegation zone, they cannot rest on their laurels. A win in midweek is just as important, even if it is for far differing reasons.
Something which sets up Tuesday’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Billingham Town for the upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.