The Benevolent Bowl was in the spotlight last weekend and with Blue Star once again on the road, it was Haltwhistle Jubilee who looked to stand in their way. Unfortunately for the hosts, there was nothing for them to celebrate come full time.
A 5-0 win for Brian Smith’s men is now in the history books and after getting their noses in front through an early Dan Lanning goal, the tempo was subsequently set for the afternoon – a tempo that only seemed to increase as the game continued.
The quintet of strikes in the west of Northumberland goes nicely with the 11 that were scored the week before. 16 goals in just 180 minutes of cup football is certainly something to be lauded but now the team must return to league business.
Business that sees Blue Star currently top of the Northern Alliance Premier Division and with an eight-point gap over their nearest challengers Burradon & New Fordley, it is the time to turn the screw even further.
Admittedly that screw can be loosened by Burradon’s two games in hand. Win those and the gap is reduced to two points at least and this is dependant on both challengers continuing to earn maximum points along the way.
While although games on hand are worth a lot at the title race bureau de change, the exchange rate for points on the board is far greater. The equation is rather simple for NE15’s finest, keep winning matches and the league title will eventually be yours.
Which is exactly what the agenda will be on Saturday, as another away day is scheduled. This time it is a trip to the coast and the opposition of Whitley Bay Reserves. The two teams shared an end of season draw at the end of last season and that is something the visitors are not looking to repeat.
Something which sets up Saturday’s clash rather nicely indeed. A big thanks to Whitley Bay’s second string 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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