Match Preview - Newcastle University (A) - Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 11th October 2025 - Kick-off 15:00pm

by Jeff King

Another visit to Essity Park, Prudhoe for Park View AFC on Saturday. This time to take on the tenants, Newcastle University, who play their home fixtures at the ground of Prudhoe YC Seniors also of Ebac Northern League Division 2.

Park View's earlier visit to the Northumberland outfit's outpost saw them take a 1 - 0 win courtesy of a Charlie Loveday goal. It meant all 3 points for the visitor's who would surely take the same result if given it on Saturday.

But 'The Uni' are a difficult side to face at any time but certainly after September when they tend to have a more settled line-up with the new term well under way in their academic halls.

So far Newcastle have had a very solid start to their season. They did go out of the FA Vase at the first hurdle to Yarm&Eaglescliffe away 2 - 0 but their League form has been much better if not too spectacular.

They've played 17 games Won 7 Drew 5 and Lost 5 for 26 points and 10th place in the table. In attack they've scored 27 goals and in defence conceded 22. Their top scorers are Matthew Foster and Kane Morris who have 5 each.

Joel Manning having 4 goals is next and they also have 9 different scorers for their other 13 goals. Clearly a team that rotates and shares the load.

Coming into the game they are on a run of three games unbeaten with two wins and a draw. That constitutes a recovery after they lost the previous three-in-a-row. So, solid yes and perhaps a touch inconsistent and difficult to read.

For Park View it's another game that is vital, aren't they all? Another win keeps them right in the playoff picture whilst a loss would mean others around them could take advantage of any slip-up.

Last weekend the statistics of their 2 - 1 home win over FC Hartlepool perhaps didn't tell the story of the game. It's true that they needed two own goals to get them the three points but in truth were dominant and profligate in front of goal.

They'll need to find their scoring boots and options on Saturday for a game that looks relatively tight and close to call. Both teams already have a few draws on their records and it might be a good bet if you're a punter.

Whatever happens it'll all happen at Essity Park on Saturday afternoon when the sides kick-off at 3:00pm.