Yesterday, Newcastle Blue Star made it three wins out of three to kick off 2024, as they overcame a resolute Jarrow side, in a 1-0 win.
A solitary goal for defender, Shaun Ryder was enough for the three points, as ‘The Star’ returned to the top of the Northern League Division Two.
Heading into the game, Blue Star would have been looking to continue their perfect start to the new year, fresh off the back of an impressive 5-0 win away to Billingham Town. Jarrow meanwhile hadn’t been able to get their boots dirty since Boxing Day, due a number of match postponements.
With the Blue Star and ‘Jarra’ faithful packed into Scotswood, it would be the home team that started the quicker of the two sides. As in the 18th minute, Stephen Forster would make a marauding run from centre-half and unleash a piledriver of a strike, only to see it cannon off the crossbar.
Blue Star would continue to push for an opener with Nelson Ogbewe also coming close to breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute, seeing his shot low-driven shot superbly saved by the Jarrow keeper.
Jarrow themselves would have chances before the break, with their number three inches away from heading home at the back post. The score however would remain 0-0 at the half-time interval.
Blue Star would start the second half on the front foot, nearly bagging themselves a goal in the 49th minute, with substitute Tom McIntyre seeing his shot blocked on the goal line.
As the game wore on it seemed more and more likely as if neither side would be able to break the deadlock. That, however, would all change in the 76th minute when Ryder latched onto a cross and side-footed home at the back post, to give his side the lead.
Following their goal, Blue Star looked to hold onto their slender lead, with their defence holding firm for the remainder of the game and only allowing a couple of half-chances for Jarrow.
The referee would soon then blow the final whistle and confirm ‘The Star’ as 1-0 victors.