Match Report: Newcastle Blue Star 3-0 Crook Town
Newcastle Blue Star cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Durham outfit Crook Town at the KD Stadium on Saturday.
Dan Lanning’s 100th Blue Star goal came after only 30 seconds, with Leon Burke then doubling the advantage 20 minutes in, before a brilliant long-range strike from Lanning in the 70th minute sealed the victory.
Lanning’s brace helped soften the blow of summer signing Dan Wilson leaving for Dunston on Friday – after only joining the Star in May. This, coupled with manager Marc Nash leaving Blue Star last week, has meant it has been a difficult week for Blue Star fans.
‘90+ FT.
Yes lads, excellent performance. ⭐️
An outstanding 811 in attendance.
Next up, fireworks.
⚫️⚪️ 3 – 0 ⚫️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/tRAreg2Lop
— Newcastle Blue Star FC (@nbsfc2018) November 1, 2025
However, the interim management trio of Steve Harrison, Craig Robson and Andrew Bulford got off to a great start as Matthew Cassap denied Blue Star’s initial effort, before the ball dropped to Lanning, who calmly slotted into an open net to give Blue Star the lead within a minute.
Blue Star almost had a second after eight minutes, with captain Liam Wotherspoon rifling a powerful shot goalwards, which was saved by the Crook Town ‘keeper.
Lanning continued to be a nuisance to the Crook defence, as after 20 minutes, his run on the right-hand side led to a low cross being played across the face of goal, with Burke stroking the ball into the bottom corner.
Crook’s first shot on target came in the 27th minute, with a long-range effort forcing Dan Lister to react quickly and deny the ball creeping into the bottom right corner.
In the second half, a moment of Lanning magic extended Blue Star’s lead, with a beautifully struck shot from outside the box finding the top left corner.
What an afternoon in NE15.
⚽️ 3pts, clean sheet, and an entertaining 90min
Another excellent fireworks display from our volunteers
️ A packed out KD Stadium
Dan Lanning scoring his 100th & 101st goals for Blue Star.
Today’s match & fireworks album:… pic.twitter.com/HPMKLB5YH7
— Newcastle Blue Star FC (@nbsfc2018) November 1, 2025
Blue Star continued to dominate the game, with Lanning forcing a few saves – one from a direct free-kick just outside the box, but Cassap reacted expertly to deny Lanning from converting.
Sean Reid and Lanning beautifully combined around the box in the 63rd minute, however Lanning’s shot trickled wide of the post.
Blue Star could have had a fourth. but Burke’s cross to the back post was met by Reid on the volley, but his strike sailed out of the stadium.
Blue Star’s attention now turns towards Penrith AFC in the Brook Mileson Memorial League Cup on November 11th.
Newcastle Blue Star: Lister, Dopson, Summerly (Sayer 73′) , Heppell (Coulthard 88′) , Walker, Macleod, Burke (Kidd 70′) , Wotherspoon (c), Lanning, Reid (Spurr 73′), Dudgeon (Zmich 88′)
