Whickham vs Newcastle Blue Star (28/11/2025)

Two weeks ago, Newcastle Blue Star’s new managerial era began 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, 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.

After being foiled by the weather before planned trips to both North Shields and Shildon, it looks as if the conditions are behaving themselves and this means a Friday night under the lights at nearby Whickham.

Whickham go into this game sitting at the foot of the table but will be spirited by the point they earned at Whitley Bay last weekend. Another sign that on any given day, anyone in the division can take points from somebody else.

Regardless of positioning on the league ladder, there are no freebees within in the Northern League and both the hosts and the visitors will be keen to earn three points before we enter December’s run of festive fixtures.

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