The unbeaten league run continues for Newcastle Blue Star, but the 100% start has now come to an end. Tuesday’s visit of Redcar Town could only bring a share of the points – even if it was not for the want of trying.
An evening where Blue Star threw the kitchen sink and a little bit more at the opposition’s goalkeeper. In fairness to Redcar’s man between the sticks, he may never play a better 90 minutes than almost 72 hours ago.
Then again, Brian Smith’s men may not play many better 90 minute spells this season. Wave after wave of home attack was certainly a positive and on another evening, two or three goals would have led to three more points.
One more point on the board, but the gap between Blyth Town and themselves at the top of the Northern League has been reduced to two. The current leaders lost at Yarm & Eaglescliffe that same night – sometimes you get those gameweeks that throw the cat amongst the pigeons.
It may not have been the perfect result after defeat in the FA Vase last weekend, but it was edging towards an almost ideal response in terms of performance. Compare the trip to Silsden to what was offered on Tuesday and thankfully there were no similarities from the reverse in Yorkshire.
You can only get on with it after a cup exit and what should not be forgotten after the 0-0 draw with Redcar is a third consecutive clean sheet in the league. The defensive stability that was not there at the start of the campaign, is certainly being reestablished now.
Now both the defence and the attack will look to be firing on all cylinders, as they prepare for the first of two visits to Chester-le-Street during the 2023/24 season. First up, it is the Town who play the role of opponents.
Their own start to the season has been a rather impressive one and the Moor Park outfit go into this game lying fourth in the table. Two points and a position behind NE15’s finest, this fixture is certainly going to be a competitive one.
Something which sets up Friday’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Chester-le-Street Town for the upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.