Shildon vs Newcastle Blue Star (15/08/2026)

It may have taken five attempts but Tuesday night saw Newcastle Blue Star collect their first win of this current Northern League season and if you do have to wait that long, then you may as well make it worthwhile.

Especially as Paul Brayson’s men had the rather unenviable task of travelling to then league leaders Blyth Town but with the KD Stadium outfit collecting all three points thanks to a 3-1 win, it was Tuesday’s hosts who ended the game with a feeling of envy.

On the other hand, there was a mixture of pride and relief in the Blue Star camp finally securing such an important win at the start of the campaign and after a promising showing in defeat in the FA Cup last weekend, that performance was subsequently used a positive platform in which to build on.

While it was a positive start on Tuesday night as Blue Star were quickest out of the traps and with the pace of Alfie Coulthard being a constant throughout the evening, his well measured shot broke the deadlock after just five minutes.

However, Blue Star’s lead would be cancelled out midway through the first half and although in previous game that has usually meant a turning point in the negative decision, this was far from the case in midweek.

Once again Alfie Coulthard was too hot to handle for the Blyth Town defence and before the break he would restore Blue Star’s lead and although it was Jay Richardson who made sure of all three points with 13 minutes remaining, he will be sure to thank his teammate for the assist.

That result sees Blue Star move up the table into 15th before the weekend but Tuesday’s showing against a team that has started well suggests that positions on the league ladder are not as definitive as they will be later on.

Which is something that Saturday’s opponents Shildon will be mindful off and after finishing second last season, their early form has not quite been at the level that saw them pipped to the title by Guisborough just a few months prior.

They go into the game with six points from their first four matches, collected after two wins and just as many defeats. A start to the campaign that has blown both hot and cold, Blue Star will hope for cooler winds in just a few hours.

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