A draw may not feel like a win at the time, but it sometimes holds more value than you think. Despondency after being held at home to FC Hartlepool last Friday in a frenetic 3-3 draw, slight delight by the time Saturday’s fixtures concluded.
Because although Brian Smith’s men dropped two points in front of a soaked Scotswood support, they would earn a point more than both Blyth Town and Horden Community Welfare less than 24 hours later.
In a Northern League campaign that has already had plenty of twists in the tale, last weekend was the latest kink in this footballing helter-skelter and before this weekend’s action gets underway, it is Blue Star who find themselves still top of the standings.
Top at the time of writing, but potentially second by the time they make the trip to Sunderland on Saturday. Blyth Town currently lie three points behind in third with a game in hand. That game in hand against Boldon Community Association takes place on Friday night.
It may be all change, the status quo may yet be preserved. Whether Blue Star are on the first or the second rung of the league ladder is rather immaterial at this stage of proceedings - a return to winning ways is far more important.
Not only that, but this team has a perfect league record on the road for 2023/24. A statistic that although largely coincidental is still mightily impressive and that might will be tasked with getting the better of Sunderland West End in their own back yard.
With that said, If they are to pick another maximum on the road, the errors of last Friday’s home outing will have to erased. Once again, an opposition came to NE15 looking to claim a scalp and not for the first time, defensive lapses provided the opposition with something to take home.
Now it is Blue Star that will be looking to take home victory at the expense of Sunderland West End. The hosts currently find themselves languishing in midtable and will be raring to go after last Saturday’s postponement due to the weater.
Something which sets up Saturday’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Sunderland West End for the upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.