Newcastle Blue Star vs Boro Rangers (17/01/2025)

The January cold snap looks like its now behind us, a slew of games between now and the month hopefully awaits. Should you be within the confines of the KD Stadium on Saturday, it means Newcastle Blue Star are back in action.

Kicking their heels since 2026 kicked into gears, Paul Brayson’s men keen to get going after their Boxing Day win at Carlisle City – three of the hardest fought points this club has ever managed to collect.

A performance that showed no signs of festive gluttony from those on the pitch, keeper Dan Lister being well placed to stop a gluttony of efforts from Carlisle City. His heroics between the sticks matched by the 10 players positioned further up the field.

In a period that has been turbulent for a number of reasons, Blue Star’s last showing looked like a galvanising effort. Their win in Cumbria arguably means little in the grand scheme of this season but if that is the benchmark for the following campaign, it bodes well for what is ahead.

At the same time, that does not mean the rest of the campaign is a write off. Players keen to make their mark within the opening phase of this Paul Brayson-led era, time to lay the building blocks for the months ahead.

Which means the visit of Boro Rangers on Saturday will certainly not be taken lightly. Not by the hosts who are looking to make it back-to-back league wins and not by the visitors who will be looking to solidify their current top five berth within the Northern League Division One table.

Boro Rangers arrive in Scotswood with a four-point gap over West Auckland in the race for the last playoff invite. However, West Auckland have two games in hand. Everything to play for. Points, progress and pride. This clash is certainly one that has been highly anticipated these past few days.

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