As far as Boxing Day clashes go, the meeting of Newcastle Benfield and Newcastle Blue Star was far from a cracker and although sometimes you can be off the pace but still pick up something for your efforts, this was unfortunately not the case on Thursday.
If anything, it was an unfortunate to concede the games’ only goal in such an unfortunate manner and with the ball sailing over Dan Lister’s head from a while the Blue Star keeper lost his footing, what looked like a harmless free kick at the time, actually caused considerable damage.
Damage in terms of Blue Star’s bid to narrow the gap at the top even further and with a new leader at the summit of the Northern League Division One standings, the impact of defeat in Walkergate may have been felt even further.
However, an off day for Marc Nash’s men was slightly absorbed by North Shields also suffering a Boxing Day defeat of their own and due to their reverse to fellow promotion chasers Blyth Town, the KD Stadium outfit stay firmly in fifth position before the weekend.
Firmly fifth before the weekend but hoping to be higher come the end of it and with another short journey to be made, this time the stakes seem higher than they were 24 hours before as this time it is North Shields who play the role of opponents.
Sixth playing host to fifth, with the visitors already picking up an FA Cup win here earlier this season but since that moment in the August sun, a lot has changed in NE30 and not only have North Shields found a run of lengthy run of league form but their participation in the FA Vase is still unbroken.
Of course, it is not just the FA Cup win that offers a glimpse into recent history and with the two sides already meeting in the league, Blue Star and North Shields had to make do with a point when they met at Scotswood just a month later.
Whether both teams have to make do with a point at the weekend remains to be seen but there is no doubt both outfits will want all three and although there may be the subplot of former allegiances crossing over, the main narrative is who wants this the most and who if anyone comes out on top.
Something which sets up this Saturday’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to North Shields for their upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.
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