Colliers promoted to Northern League Division One

Brad Forster and James Fairley were both on the scoresheet late in the second half on a historic night for the Colliers.

Upon kick-off in front of an impressive crowd of 1,771, it was a tentative start from both sides.

Callum Stanton had a deflected shot saved in the Colliers’ first half chance in the 12th minute, while a Blue Star free-kick was curled wide.

Blue Star were edging the early possession, but there wasn’t much in it.

The Colliers’ first big chance arrived in the 35th minute. Mark Davison flicked a ball on to find Fairley who went for goal with a first time volley, but it darted just wide.

It was a good end to the first half for Easington with a couple of chances for Davison as well as an opportunity for Callum Stanton, but they couldn’t trouble the Blue Star goalkeeper.

Ant Lowerson was forced into a good save deep into added time, and it was a stalemate at the break.

In the 58th minute, there was a good chance for Stanton as he latched onto a ball through the middle, but Phillip Mills in the Blue Star goal saved well.

Five minutes later, Fairley was denied by Mills, and then a crucial block denied Stanton.

Following a delay due to an incident in the crowd, in the 86th minute, Forster headed the Colliers into the lead. Fairley curled a deep free-kick into the penalty area, and Forster rose highest to direct a looping header into the net.

Just a minute later, the Colliers doubled their lead. Fairley found room to shoot 20 yards out, and he curled a lovely effort into the top corner.

Two goals up, the Colliers were now firmly in control, and they were managing the game well.

A slip at the back allowed Blue Star to pull one back deep into added time when Nelson Ogbewe converted from a tight angle, but there was no way back into the game for Blue Star.

Easington Colliery AFC are now a Northern League Division One club!

Full-time: Newcastle Blue Star 1-2 Easington Colliery

Newcastle Blue Star: Mills, Barclay, Forster, Oliver, Bexton, Ryder, Paterson (Dudgeon, 68′), Luke (c) (McIntrye, 68′), Lanning, Potter, Turner (Ogbewe, 75′)

Unused subs: Mitchell, Daley

Easington Colliery: Lowerson, Barnett, Eltringham, Trewick, Forster (c), Bott, Stanton (Tapping, 78′), Kenney, Davison (Taylor, 90+9′), Fairley (Elliott, 90+12′), Weirs

Unused subs: Pearn, Fryatt

Attendance: 1,771

Referee: Mark McMahon