Although the dust has only just settled on this weekend’s opening round of Northern League Division One fixtures, the schedule looks to make best use of the sun while it can and this means a second league outing in just four days for Newcastle Blue Star.
A second league outing that Blue Star will hope goes better than the first and after suffering a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Marske United on Saturday, manager Marc Nash and his players are afforded another runout on home soil this Tuesday.
Defeat that can be summed up more in frustration than disappointment. Frustration that comes in not quite getting the rub of the green when it comes to decision and not seeing chances made turned into the necessary number of goals.
Of course, an opening day reverse will not define any league campaign and with hardly any time to dwell on defeat, it makes perfect sense to look ahead to upcoming opponents Easington Colliery – an opposition that celebrated in Scotswood only a couple of months ago.
In what was a feisty spring evening, it was Easington’s finest who would spring out of Division Two by virtue of winning their playoff final against Blue Star. Celebrations on the night at the expense of their hosts, celebrations arguably dampened when good news was eventually received elsewhere.
Playoff winners or losers, both Blue Star and Easington Colliery ended up with the same reward in the end and with them both entering the tier above, they will each be keen to hold their own within the confines of Step 5 football.
Not only that, but both teams will be looking to earn their first win of the season in midweek. Tuesday’s visitors found themselves behind at home to North Shields – Blue Star’s cup opponents at the weekend, before a late comeback gave them a share of the points on home soil.
When asked during Saturday’s post-match interview about whether any emotion needs to be taken out of this upcoming league meeting manager Nash stated “that ship has sailed” and now with a refreshed unit of players for both sides, the sole focus is being the sole victor in a few hours.
Something which sets up this upcoming clash rather nicely. A warm welcome goes out to the visiting Easington Colliery team and support and for those who lend their voice to the home team, make sure to bring the noise throughout.
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