Friday night was more than alright for Newcastle Blue Star and after making light work of Billingham Town, manager Marc Nash and his players would have gone into the rest of the weekend with reasons to be cheerful.
Not simply because of the 4-0 win that was recorded in Scotswood or the fact that Dan Lanning scored a second-half treble, not even re-establishing a four-point gap over Bedlington Terriers in the race for second but the fact that everything seemed to click in the end for Blue Star.
A victory that came after a goalless first 45 minutes but a victory that was more than deserved come the end of 90 and with both confidence and momentum beginning to increase in the Blue Star over the past few weeks, it is time to expand on those two commodities even further.
Especially as in the trio of league games that have been contested since the home defeat to Ryton & Crawcrook Albion, seven points from the nine on offer have been collected – including an impressive showing in the 1-1 draw at home to Blyth Town.
With just five league games of this almost never-ending schedule still remaining, Blue Star’s aim is to increase it just a little further and a win on the road would secure Marc Nash’s men a top five finish and the playoff invite that comes with it.
Of course, it is not just fifth that is the desire from here on in. Now it is the quest to be the best of the rest and if completed, it would also mean the guarantee of a home tie in the semi-final phase of the playoffs.
In addition to this, Boldon managed to pick up a win in the reverse fixture in what was arguably the hottest weekend of the season and although much has changed in terms of personnel since, a chance to settle the score from last September should not be overlooked either.
Something which sets up Tuesday’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Boldon Community Association for the upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.