Scotswood had the pleasure of witnessing a Northern League classic last night, with a Lee Mason brace securing Newcastle Blue Star a 3-2 win against Bedlington Terriers.
‘The Star’ entered the game looking to extend their impressive start to the season, having won four games on the bounce. Bedlington meanwhile would provide Blue Star with their toughest test of the season so far, having won three of their first four fixtures.
Blue Star would start the better of the two sides, racing into an early lead in the 2nd minute – with Dean Holmes slotting Dan Lanning in-behind and the striker firing his shot in off the post - for his fifth goal of the season.
Bedlington however would immediately respond, finding an equaliser in the 10th minute after Sean McAfferty fumbled the ball into his own net.
‘The Star’ responded well to the equaliser with both Lanning and Curtis Coppen nearly finding the back of the net. Bedlington themselves would have chances to take the lead, hitting the woodwork twice in quick succession in the 37th minute.
There would be more drama before the halftime whistle, when the Bedlington number two brought down Lanning outside the box, whilst being the last man. The Blue Star touchline would then go into meltdown when the referee only brandished a yellow card for the Bedlington man.
Clearly outraged by the referee’s decision, the Blue Star players berated the referee – so much so Coppen would end up being sin-binned for descent. Despite there being drama and chances galore in the first half, the two sides would go into the half-time break level at 1-1.
With the home side down to ten men at the start of the half, Bedlington pushed for a second goal. Nearly doing so in the 61st minute when their number 11 unleashed a shot destined for the bottom corner – only to be denied by a fantastic save by McAfferty.
Blue Star would soon be back with 11 men on the pitch, and minutes later would regain the lead – with Lee Mason’s shot finding the bottom corner in the 64th minute.
‘The Star’s’ lead though would be short-lived, with Bedlington immediately equalising four minutes later from a corner.
In typical Blue Star fashion though, ‘the Star’ would fight back and show their quality, regaining the lead in the 71st minute, thanks to Mason's penalty.
Bedlington would push for equaliser before the final whistle, drawing a number of superb saves out of McAfferty in the Blue Star net. Ultimately though Blue Star would hold onto their slender win and come away with a well-fought 3-2 victory.