Northallerton Town vs Newcastle Blue Star (22/03/2025)

The promotion push needs one last shove between now and the end of the season and with Newcastle Blue Star picking up another league win in what could also be described as another six-pointer, the momentum is once again with Marc Nash’s men.

Momentum that was continued after a narrow 1-0 win at home to Kendal Town and with Michael Ndiweni showing enough composure from 12 yards, it was his converted penalty – at the second attempt no less, that gave Blue Star further a second successive win at the KD Stadium.

A win that had many similarities to victory the week before at the expense of Boro Rangers. Only a single goal between the hosts and the opponents and victory that was hard fought from minute one all the way through to minute ninety.

Two teams doing their absolute best in a bid to secure entry to the end of season playoffs, only one coming out on top and thanks to Blue Star’s win on Tuesday night, the buffer between themselves and those outside the top five has now got even bigger.

Not quite booking the end of season days off just yet, but a considerable step closer to the objective and not only can the Scotswood outfit rely on a margin of error but they can also allow themselves to look further up the table.

To the outsiders finishing anywhere between second and fifth has the same prize but that prize and a home playoff semi could prove to be more valuable. Then again, home or away, the level of competition is going to be incredibly fierce within this season’s playoff race.

Now it is time to solidify their current standing further and also keep the pair of Shildon and Blyth Town on their toes above. To achieve these two feats, it means a trip to Northallerton Town must be a complete success.

Complete success that comes in the shape of a third successive league win and a return to winning ways on the road. These two sides have already met earlier in the season, with Northallerton suffering a 2-0 away win but they will not be in generous mood come Saturday afternoon’s return.

Something which sets up this clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Northallerton Town for their upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.