Newcastle Blue Star vs Redcar Athletic (05/04/2025)

Then there were three. Just three league games of the regular season remaining and after Saturday’s win at Kendal Town, the possibility of at least one additional fixture and hopefully two has increased to more of a probability.

A probability that comes thanks to a resolute Blue Star performance on the road a week ago and with Michael Ndiweni scoring the game’s only goal against a fellow playoff hopeful, Kendal’s own hopes were diminished in defeat.

In conditions that were almost biblical in terms of proportions, the endless rain was unable to dampen the spirit of Marc Nash’s men and with his defensive unit being subjected to wave after wave of home attack, they managed to withstand the bombardment that came their way.

The reward for such resolution is not only three massively important points but even further distance between being safely in the playoff paying positions and the likes of Kendal and Newcastle Benfield who are on the outside looking in.

Coincidentally those two teams meet on Saturday and with dropped points for at least one of those two outfits, Blue Star’s playoff preparations can almost begin in earnest. Almost but not quite and with a handful of points still required at this stage, the objective will be to earn them quickly.

However, that objective will be put to the test this weekend as the KD Stadium prepares to welcome the current league leaders and with Redcar Athletic also needing points to help secure the league title, they are in no position to relax.

Saturday’s visitors may be in first position but they are only three points clear of second-place Shildon with a trio of fixtures remaining and with Redcar Athletic having to face two of the current top four during their sprint to the line, there could be another twist in the tale.

A twist that Blue Star will look to engineer and although hopes of automatic promotion are not on the table, finishing as high as possible still is and what better litmus test than the side that has set the pace for a considerable amount of time.

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