On the basis of Newcastle Blue Star’s previous league outing, there is not a great deal to report on. Last Saturday saw a goalless stalemate at Scotswood but on another day Esh Winning could and arguably should have gone home with all three points.
Honours even last Saturday with Blue Star not earning much in the way of honour themselves and with two points dropped in front of their own support, Blyth Town have managed to put further daylight between themselves and their title rivals.
With the current top two yet to cross swords in this season’s edition of the Northern League Division Two, there is still scope for the gap at the top to be shrunk considerably. The obvious danger is letting the gap get too big before their first meeting on Easter Weekend.
As things stand, Marc Nash’s men sit seven points behind the current pacesetters having played a game more and if the quickfire Blyth double is to have any true meaning, that margin is going to have to be eroded beforehand.
The way to go about such a task is by returning to winning ways and next up for NE15’s finest is a trip to Easington Colliery – one that has already been postponed twice this season and hopefully it will be third time lucky at the weekend.
Especially as the reverse fixture between these two sides was only a few weeks ago and those in Blue Star’s quarters will not need reminding of the final score. A 5-0 demolition job from the team that also has their eyes own promotion.
A recent burst of form has thrust Easington Colliery into the playoff mix and with them going into this game lying fifth in the table, they can currently lay claim to one of the four lottery tickets that will be drawn in April.
They also possess games in hand over the three playoff teams above them and that strengthens their hand even further. The hosts will be keen to complete a league double over Blue Star. The visitors will look to exact revenge after suffering such a heavy defeat at the turn of last year.
Something which sets up Saturday’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Easington Colliery for the upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.
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