With 2023 now fully behind us, it is time to bring in 2024 and after Newcastle Blue Star suffered a
heavy defeat at home to Easington Colliery last Saturday, the opportunity to put last year’s final days
behind them cannot come soon enough.
Not only was it a first defeat for Marc Nash and his management team since taking the Blue Star
reins but it was a rather resounding one at the same time. A 5-0 defeat at home is always going to
smart, even more so when it dents your hopes of winning the league.
With three pitch inspections required earlier that day, the visit of Easington Colliery almost did not
get underway. By the time a fifth goal was conceded in injury time, home observers would have
wished for a heavier downpour instead.
With that being said, there are always blips in any league campaign and the key is to make them as
small and as painless as possible. In addition to this, the best thing to do is to play your next game as
soon as you can.
Which is where this Friday evening comes around and with local rivals Prudhoe YC playing the role of
opponents, this fixture could provide the hosts with the ideal launchpad for the month ahead – a
calendar month where no less than seven league games are scheduled.
A punishing 31 days in store but maybe what Blue Star need and with their recent schedule being far
more stop than start, a consistent run of games may hopefully lead to consistency in terms of their
championship charge.
A charge that sees the club start the month lying third in the Northern League Division Two table.
Two points behind both Blyth Town and Bedlington Terriers, having played two games more than
the former and two less than the latter.
Now the objective will be to earn three more points at the expense of Prudhoe YC. The two teams
have already met at Essity Park two months ago. Friday’s hosts looking to do a league double.
Friday’s visitors looking to exact revenge.
Something which sets up this upcoming clash rather nicely. A warm welcome goes out to the visiting
Prudhoe YC team and support and for those who lend their voice to the home team, make sure to
bring the noise throughout.