West Auckland vs Newcastle Blue Star (06/03/2026)

No let up from here until the end of the season and there was not let up for Newcastle Blue Star on Tuesday evening. Paul Brayson’s men returning to winning ways after defeat to leaders Shilton at the weekend, their latest league win keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Easington Colliery the latest side to visit the KD Stadium and although they themselves have hopes of finishing in the top five, those hopes would have taken a dent after suffering a 2-0 defeat in Scotswood.

A classic Northern League encounter with no quarter given and no quarter asked between the two sides. The first half looking like it was going to end in stalemate as both sides gave a solid account of themselves.

However, Easington Colliery found a crack in their armour in first half injury time as Dean Armstrong prodded home to break the deadlock. A goal coming at just the right time – you could say exactly the same about Jakub Zych’s strike seven minutes from time.

Three points secured, the taste for three more this evening and with West Auckland visiting NE15, the club that currently finds themselves sixth in the table will have the same appetite as playoff football is the dish on offer.

The visitors sit four points behind Boro Rangers in the race for the final playoff berth but more importantly have two games in hand. They themselves have a ten-point gap over Blue Star in 11th, tonight’s hosts having also played a game less than West Auckland.

That paragraph alone shows just how jumbled up the current picture is within the Northern League Division One table. It also shows that there are still plenty of teams with plenty to play for and a win for Blue Star will only further increase their chances of making a timely surge into the top five.

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