The new Northern League season may only be a week old but a number of their clubs are already up for the cup this weekend and it is not just any cup that Newcastle Blue Star find themselves a part of at the start of August.
Not just any cup, the greatest cup of them all and with Blue Star being allocated a place in the Extra Preliminary Round of this season’s Emirates FA Cup, their road to Wembley begins with an outing on the road.
With the draw always being on a regional basis at this stage, local opposition was always to be expected. Then again, the opposition was not expected to be as local as North Shields – not only a local derby of sorts, but two clubs whose recent histories have been somewhat intertwined.
Intertwined through a number of personnel playing for both outfits, intertwined through the current respective managers having a stint in charge of both clubs and if you were looking for a subplot before Saturday’s clash, then you can take your pick from plenty that are available.
Of course, for all the talk of history and past relationships, it is the here and now that matters the most and after Blue Star suffered an opening weekend league defeat at home to Marske United, they bounced back in the best possible way against rivals Easington Colliery just three days later at the same venue.
The playoff meeting of two months prior may have been in the minds of some, but Blue Star captain Connor Oliver only had one thing in mind when he took a long distance freekick towards the end of the first half.
The one thing on his mind was a shot at goal, a shot that was rewarded with a sensational goal and one that would eventually be enough to earn the Scotswood outfits’ first three points of the season. Then again, it would be unfair to say it was solely Oliver’s contribution that was the difference.
With a lead to protect in the 45 minutes that followed after the break and 17 additional minutes for good measure, Tuesday’s hosts were imperious in defence, they may have had their footballing house intruded when they and Easington last met, nobody was entering their house this time around.
Three of the hardest points that Marc Nash and his players may end up earning all season but three of the sweetest points at the same time. Now though, it is not points that are up for grabs but cup progress at the expense of a local rival.
Something which sets up this knockout clash rather nicely indeed - one that will see a replay the following Tuesday if required. A big thanks to North Shields for the upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.
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