The stars are out on Tuesday night and so they should be as the red variety of Seaham play host to the blue variety of Newcastle or in other words, the two teams will soon meet each other in Northern League Division One action.
While it is league action that now becomes the primary focus for Marc Nash and his players. The dalliances with FA Cup and Vase competitions have come to an end for this season, both roads to Wembley now closed off due to maintenance for the next 12 months.
Of course, it was Saturday’s FA Cup exit at home to Hallam that will still be smarting for some by the time this preview has been digested. Two goals to the good at Scotswood at the signal for the interval, a bad second half would then have home supporters signalling for the exit.
A tough defeat to take and especially after the magical moments that were crafted in the previous round against North Ferriby – special memories for many who made the journey to Hull but now a distant memory within the context of this campaign.
Context which also comes in the shape of three successive defeats in all competitions and although the season is still largely young, now it is not the time to find yourself within a complete downturn in form.
Especially as the fixtures come so thick and fast because on the one hand, a quickfire run of games can help boost confidence rather quickly. On the other, it can also lead to a downturn in morale if things spiral negatively against you.
It will certainly be the latter that manager Nash and those who make the journey to Seaham on Tuesday are looking to avoid and although there cannot be a great amount of weight placed on the league table at this stage, Blue Star currently find themselves sitting 16th in the table.
Of course, that position does come with a considerable amount of mitigating circumstance – that mitigation coming in the form of games in hand even at this stage of the season but even with being on this rung on the league ladder, there is no need to panic.
If Blue Star can play how they are capable of, they are more than a match for anyone. Iron out the inconsistencies and they are consistent threat to those who they face at this level and with Tuesday’s hosts also looking for maximum points, an enticing encounter should not be all that far away.
Something which sets up this clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Seaham Red Star for the upcoming hospitality and for those attending from an away perspective, safe travels both there and back.
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