Guisborough Town vs Newcastle Blue Star (14/03/2026)

For those who attended the KD Stadium last Friday night, their entry fee through to the turnstile was more than paid back come the final whistle.

Newcastle Blue Star and West Auckland playing under the Scotswood floodlights, nine goals shared between the two outfits.

Paul Brayson’s men unfortunately scoring the minority share of those nine, in what turned out to be an exhilarating 5-4 win for West Auckland – victory that boosts the visitors’ hopes of reaching playoffs, denting that of the hosts.

Disappointing to lose in such a vitally important league clash, more so when 4-2 ahead with just 27 minutes of the game left remaining.

The attacking output of Blue Star not to be debated, game management may need sharpening when it matters most.

The top five looking like it will elude Blue Star this season but a strong as finish as possible is still desired by those involved. The last quarter of this campaign will only serve to lay the groundwork for the one that follows.

End strong in April, start stronger in late July. That is the plan, a plan that begins this weekend with a visit to Guisborough Town - a side that are hoping to avoid this season’s playoffs by winning the league title instead.

A bid that is in their own hands at present, they may be three points behind current league leaders Shildon but they do also have three games in hand. Further opportunity in which to wind their rivals in, time running out in which to do so.

That bid could be made all the more difficult if Blue Star can carry out the role of spoiler at the weekend. Last season at the King George V Ground, the corresponding fixture ended in a 1-0 win to Blue Star thanks to a Dan Lanning penalty. No complaints if that is repeated at the weekend.

Something which sets up Saturday’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Guisborough for the upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.