Newcastle Blue Star had to go through the gears on Tuesday, but they would have found themselves in overdrive after their meeting with Chester-le-Street United. Not only were another three points added to the board but the board now has them at the top of the Northern League Division 2 table.
Because although they would find themselves going behind in the first half, three unanswered goals would eventually follow. It will be far from the best football that Brian Smith’s men play this season, but the outcome was the one that he and his management team would have desired.
An outcome that showed the team does not always have to fire on all cylinders and although they were given more than a test by the young Chester-le-Street United outfit, age and experience were the key factors that would win this home encounter.
To the point where we now look ahead to Saturday and with Horden Community Welfare being subsequently disposed of their role as league leaders, their next role is to roll out the red carpet for Blue Star this weekend.
Going into this anticipated clash, both sides have picked up 32 points from the first 39 on offer and it is only goal difference that sees Horden having to make do with second – in addition to this, just two points separate the top four.
Which only highlights how intense the early laps of the promotion race have been. A quartet of outfits showing that they could be in the mix come the end of the season. How many of that quartet will last the length of the league marathon?
Of course, the focus is not on the marathon but the weekend sprint and with the hosts having recently done the league double over Chester-le-Street Town, they will be keen to end September on the highest rung of the league ladder.
Something which sets up Saturday’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Horden Community Welfare for the upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.