Newcastle Blue Star vs Northallerton (12/12/2025)

Although being dealt five postponements in a row is far from ideal for any team looking to keep themselves busy, the extended hiatus may serve to be a blessing in disguise for Newcastle Blue Star’s new management team.

Because anyone who takes the reins of a club once the campaign has got underway, has to forego any pre-season planning. The phase for transition smaller than a summer appointment but still just as important as any other.

Thankfully for new boss Paul Brayson, the repeated defeats to the weather have at least offered he and assistant Gareth Mcalindon the opportunity to work with the players that they have inherited since their recent appointment.

Not just inheriting a squad but taking the first steps to making it your own and with a number of ins and outs taking place in the past three weeks or so, the team is expected to have a slightly different look before its next expected fixture.

That fixture is the visit of Northallerton and with Scotswood’s finest having been stuck in training mode for longer than they hoped, they will be itching to not only return to the field of play but also deliver a first win under new management.

A bid that was foiled at Whitley Bay in mid-November. A bright start saw Dan Lanning open the scoring within five minutes and although Blue Star were quick out of the traps, they were trapped by the hosts’ attack as the game progressed.

A 2-1 defeat at Hillheads Park. A 2-0 win when they last faced Saturday’s opponents. The reverse fixture the reason for their meeting just three months ago, now it is progress up the league table that both teams are after.

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