Newcastle Blue Star vs Birtley Town (20/03/2026)

Newcastle Blue Star are back under the Friday night Scotswood lights and if it is anything like their last outing at the KD Stadium, those either involved or watching from the sidelines may want to strap themselves for something of a rollercoaster.

A 5-4 loss to West Auckland a couple of weeks ago, thankfully things were slightly more sedate on Tuesday as Blue Star returned to winning ways in the Northern League. The short trip to Newcastle Benfield producing the maximum haul in terms of points.

A bright start from Paul Brayson’s men was rewarded early on. After an element of ping pong around the box, Connor McLeod’s powerful header – this time from an attacking perspective, put Blue Star ahead on 12 minutes.

Plenty of chances across the rest of the first half, the partnership between Dan Lanning and Collins Unareokpa continuing to show promise and both were a constant thorn in the Newcastle Benfield defence.

However, when you create plenty of chances and lack the necessary ruthlessness to convert them, there is always a nagging feeling it could came back to haunt you. Something that proved to be the case moments after the restart.

Just a minute into the second half and the hosts had restored parity, Blue Star not quite engaged after the half time talks, Luke Parker ghosting in at the back post and leaving Dan Lister to pick the ball out of his net.

A frustrating restart but plenty of time to show superiority once more. Just after the hour, it looked as if Dan Lanning was going to etch his name on the scoresheet. Pouncing on a defensive Benfield error, the talismanic forward had plenty home to fire home. Instead he fired the ball into orbit.

A momentary lapse from someone so assured in front of goal, he atoned just moments later. A missile of a freekick from roughly 25 yards cannoning off the post, Sean Reid on hand to react quickest and give Blue Star a lead for the second time on Tuesday night.

25 minutes remaining but that is how it ended, a slight scare when the hosts cracked the woodwork themselves just moments after conceding a second but eventually a job well done as Blue Star keep their season alive.

Forward momentum that will look to be continued in just a few hours and with upcoming opponents Birtley sitting a position above in 10th, they will be in no mood to drop points in their own late bid to make the playoffs.

Something which sets up this upcoming clash rather nicely. A warm welcome goes out to the visiting Birtley Town team and support and for those who lend their voice to the home team, make sure to bring the noise throughout.