7pm 8 October 2021
Northern Alliance, Premier Division
Newcastle Blue Star 4 Ponteland United 0 (att 959)
It's nearly 17 years since I saw Newcastle Blue Star play in the Northern League in front of a crowd of 100. The club folded a few years later, but has been reincarnated and tapped into a fan base its predecessor could only dream of.
A crowd of close to a thousand, at step seven of the non-League pyramid is amazing. Most Northern Alliance games, even in the premier division, attract a few dozen at most.
A Friday night will have helped boost the crowd, as will allowing free entry to Newcastle United season ticket holders. It says a lot for the utter disdain former owner Mike Ashley was held in that many supporters were still celebrating their club's takeover by the Saudi royal family.
Those who chose to continue their party at the Scotswood Sports Centre saw a comfortable home win that was effectively all over after three early goals for the hosts.
After the bright start the game sadly fizzled out. Ponteland knew they were beaten and Blue Star knew the points were secure. They added a fourth goal in the second half, and might easily have got one or two more.
Newcastle Blue Star are surely bound for the Northern League at least, and have developed a ground that is already well on the way to being fit for higher levels of the pyramid.
It was a little frustrating that one end was out of bounds, which with such a large crowd meant getting a decent view was a challenge. There are two seated stands, some covered standing, and the whole ground is enclosed. The floodlights, a recent addition, were very good.
Newcastle Blue Star are undoubtedly a club on the up. It'll be interesting to see if they can maintain their support if Newcastle United begin to fulfill the potential their new wealth should enable.
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