North Shields vs Newcastle Blue Star (19/11/2025)

Saturday afternoon saw Newcastle Blue Star’s new managerial era begin and with Paul Brayson’s men taking an early lead at Whitley Bay thanks to another poacher’s finish from Dan Lanning, the Scotswood outfit could not have got off to a better start.

Unfortunately, a bright start could not be converted into a positive finish and with title hopefuls Whitley Bay finding parity in the first half before going on to find a winner in the second half, manager Brayson and his players were halted in their bid to earn further league points.

The 2-1 defeat by the seaside perhaps not reflecting Blue Star’s performance on the day and although the loss would have been frustrating for those involved, there were still plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

Football being played on the front foot was well cheered by those who made the short journey from NE15, the away fans at Hillheads Park in good voice throughout the 90 minutes – a task they will need to replicate in just a few hours.

With another trip to the coast scheduled, it is North Shields who play the role of hosts this evening. The weather has been rather inclement these past few hours, both teams hoping the layer of thin show can melt before kickoff.

Should that be the case, Blue Star will look to have the same joy that they had in Meadowell at the start of the campaign. The two teams once again paired together in the FA Cup’s early qualifying rounds, once again it was the team from the West End that went through to the next phase.

No points on offer that summer afternoon, exactly want both teams will be after later on tonight. The hosts looking to keep pace with the playoff pack behind them. The visitors wanting to start a run of results to revive their campaign.

Something which sets up tonight’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to North Shields for the upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.