Life on the road can sometimes be difficult and it is fair to say that this has been the case for Newcastle Blue Star during the past week. Last Tuesday saw a 3-2 defeat to Marske lodged into the history books and three days later a rescheduled trip to Crook Town finally took place.
One that saw Marc Nash’s men have to make do with a share of the points in what can be considered a rather bruising encounter. No love lost on the field of play; no love lost when it comes to the two sets of opposing fans.
Blue Star taking an early lead from Chris Reid’s header but seeing their advantage wiped out before the break. A break that was certainly required as the temperature between the two teams had risen even if it was near sub-zero in the stands.
A game of few chances meant no further goals were added by either outfit in the second half and although Friday’s trip to County Durham could be considered as two points dropped in the immediacy of the evening, it may turn out to be a point gained at the end of the campaign.
Especially as both Boro Rangers and Blyth Town dropped points less than 24 hours later and although that can be considered as an element of damage limitation, there was slight damage incurred when it comes to Blue Star’s promotion push.
Damage that comes from Newcastle Benfield’s win over Marske United and thanks to their 3-0 win on Saturday, it is they who move back into fifth place in this season’s Northern League Division One table.
Benfield a point clear but having played three games more than the KD Stadium outfit and with that trio of spare encounters being vitally important to any hopes of a top-five finish at the end of the campaign.
Which brings us to this evening and the opportunity to use one of those spare encounters as a trip to Carlisle City awaits. Victory for the visitors will put them back in the top five, even a draw would be sufficient but after collecting just one point from the last six, the objective is to now claim all three.
Something which sets up tonight’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Carlisle City for their upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.
Kommentare