Newcastle Blue Star vs Shildon (29/07/2025)

If the remaining 37 league games are played at the same speed as last Saturday’s opener, we may have to advertise Newcastle Blue Star fixtures with a heart warning.

The KD Stadium playing host to six goals just a few days ago – an even split between the hosts and the visitors.

Whitley Bay playing the role of opening day visitors this season and after finding themselves both 2-0 and 3-2 ahead, it looked as if an away win was going to be logged on the scorecard just a few minutes before 5pm.

However, Marc Nash’s men once again showed the resilience and desire that has got them out of so many other scrapes in the past and although there was a lack of fortune from a missed penalty in injury time, there was still time for Whitley Bay to put the ball into their own net.

A 3-3 draw to get Blue Star off the mark and not a lot of time to dwell on it either as no sooner are the aches of Saturday finally dulled, then the rigours of Northern League football throws them back into action this evening.

Not just any action but the visit of a side who also finished in the playoff positions last season. Shildon were agonisingly close to earning automatic promotion after being pipped to the post by Redcar and they will be looking to go one better this time.

Whether the second round of fixtures is the best time to play a fellow promotion rival can be argued. On one hand, the stakes are lesser as everyone is still working out their best elevens. On the other, not getting into the ideal rhythm means you may not be at your strongest.

Then again, this is a double edged sword that both outfits will have to contend with in just a few hours and with Shildon also dropping points on the opening Saturday of the season – they will be just as keen to earn their first league win of the campaign.

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