Birtley Town 4 - 0 Newcastle Blue Star - 09.10.26

A difficult night at Birtley Sports Complex as Blue Star lose by four goals to nil.

By Harry Tindall.

We didn’t have to wait long for the first attack of the game, coming in just the first minute. Zych on the right hand side for Blue Star won a corner after the ball was deflected out but Abrahart’s corner led to no real threat to the home side.

There was an early stoppage as Kane Morris was down receiving treatment on his shoulder, with a spell off the pitch too.

Soon after, the hosts got their first corner and first chance of the game after Aitken’s shot was deflected out. The corner was well cleared but after Harrison won a contested challenge with Coulthard, his excellent cross almost went in, catching the defence and Holland off guard.

Just before the ten minute mark, the hosts opened the scoring through Charlie Aitken. Aitken rose above MacLeod and Orrell to win a header and play himself through on goal, where he slotted the ball past Holland into the bottom right corner.

Blue Star were still trying to find their feet in the game and the Birtley players were making it very difficult to do so with their relentless press in attack.

Blue Star almost found an equaliser in the most unlikely of ways, as Abrahart’s volley nestled the side-netting following a lovely dink over the defender by Da Silva.

A well worked attacking move saw Birtley double their lead. Paterson played an excellent ball through to full-back Lancaster who drove to the right edge of the box and fired it into the bottom left corner.

Birtley only had to wait a few minutes for their third goal of the game as Paterson converted from close range after Wotherspoon’s edge of the box strike was parried into the attacker’s direction.

Just before the break, Birtley came close to getting another when Exley’s header went just wide of the post following Proctor’s corner, but the score remained at 3-0 to the hosts going into half time. An excellent attacking display from Birtley with Blue Star struggling to create many opportunities for themselves. A much better second half was required.

Back underway in the second half with some refuelled optimism. The only change as of yet came in the first quarter when Dean Armstrong replaced the injured Craig Scott.

In the opening few minutes Birtley were already showing they were not yet finished. Substitute Armstrong brought down Charlie Aitken in the box and a penalty was awarded. The Birtley talisman took the penalty himself and converted bottom right, sending Holland the wrong way.

It would be a long way back for Blue Star now, but Coulthard was as determined as ever with some brilliant wing play, forcing an excellent save from Alfie Gordon as he struck from range, cutting in on his left foot from the right wing and firing into the far corner.

Despite a difficult start to the second half, Blue Star were now starting to control more of the ball and create more chances in an attempt to at least get on the score sheet for the night. However, Birtley’s defensive unit remained strong as they were keen to keep a clean sheet and erase any Blue Star pressure.

Birtley continued to look threatening as defender Reece Harrison played a ball over the top from his own half, finding Ward bearing down on goal, but Holland managed to get there first before Ward can lift the ball over him.

Not long after, Ward played a well timed pass to lay off Paterson, but his strike went inches over the bar.

That was all in Birtley as it ended in defeat for Blue Star and a comfortable home win for Birtley. Despite a difficult night, Blue Star will be keen to put this behind them quickly as attention turns to Tuesday’s clash with Horden CW in Scotswood.

Birtley Town: Gordon, Lancaster, Harrison (Bateman 80’), Hailes, Wharton, Exley, Proctor (Nichol 68’), Wotherspoon, Ward, Aitken, Paterson (Dinsley 86’)

Sub not used: Hammer

Goals: Aitken (8’, 50’pen), Lancaster 29’, Paterson 36’

Newcastle Blue Star: Holland, Burke, Abrahart (Anderson 62’), Orrell, Scott (Armstrong 21’), MacLeod, Coulthard, Follin, Morris (McClen 51’), Zych, Da Silva (Richardson 75’)

Sub not used: Scorgie

Date/Time: 9^th October 2026 19:30     Attendance: 464

Next match: Horden CW (H) 13^th October 2026 19:30 – NPL Division One