What a difference a fortnight makes. Three points off the pace, now becomes three points while setting it and after Blue Star managed to get the better of recent table toppers Burradon & New Fordley, it is they that will now dictate the tempo in the Northern Alliance.
While there was no doubt that last weekend’s success at the John Willie Sams Centre was incredibly hard-fought and although the 2-1 win will not necessarily define the campaign as a whole, it will certainly shape the middle portion of this league season.
Because now Brian Smith’s men have become the hunted rather than the hunter and although it is difficult to get to the top of the table, it is arguably more so when it comes to trying to fend off the other teams in the division.
Then again, if you asked anyone within in the Blue Star camp, they would much rather be given this role than opposed to playing catchup and after the celebrations of last weekend’s victory, it is time to dig in once again.
Which means another road trip is now on the horizon and although a slew of home games are waiting around the corner, a second trip to Ponteland United will act as the next date on the sporting calendar.
With the two sides meeting in the Challenge Cup last month, it was Blue Star who recorded a narrow victory and although 2-1 was the final score, this does little to highlight the abundance of chances that were created by visitors.
That though was a cup clash and although safe passage to the next round has thankfully been secured, league football is a different very beast. While it is a beast that NE15’s very best must be wary of at the weekend.
Which sets up Saturday’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Ponteland United for the upcoming hospitality and for those who will be attendance from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.
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