Birtley Town v Bedlington Terriers

Recap

Birtley Town advanced to the last 16 of the Brooks Mileson Cup with a  3-0 victory over 2nd division Bedlington Terriers. 

Goals from Kaleb Young, Scott Heslop and Matty Ward set up a last 16 home tie against Thornaby. The winners will go on to face Boro Rangers in the quarter final. The Hoops welcomed Ben Pentland, Matty Ward, Reece Harrison and Kelvin Thear into the starting line-up. Birtley took just six minutes to take the lead, Scott Heslop’s effort was saved but the ball ended up with Kaleb Young. Young struck a fierce drive from the edge of the area that was helped by the wind and a small deflection, the shot left Patrick Crombie with no chance. Bedlington looked to respond on 23 minutes but Alfie Gordon was able to snuff out a dangerous attack before Ben Pentland eventually cleared. Sam Dinsley released a powerful drive from 30 yards out in the 28th minute but his effort whistled just over the crossbar. Kelvin Thear danced through the defence moments later but his left foot shot was dragged just wide.

The game came to life in 34th minute. Alfie Gordon denied Bedlington an equaliser before Jordan Laidler fouled Matty Ward. Laidler appearing to stamp on Ward but the referee judged a yellow card to be suffice. Seconds after the restart Kaleb Young fouled Laidler and the Bedlington man kicked out in retaliation. Young acquired a yellow card for the initial challenge before Laidlier was sent off with his second yellow card in a matter of minutes.  Reece Harrison nearly reached a superb Matty Ward cross on the stroke of half-time but the ball narrowly evaded the Birtley full-back. Robbie Jardine tumbled in the area on 45 minutes but the referee correctly booked the Terriers man for diving.

HALF TIME | Birtley Town 1-0 Bedlington Terriers

The hosts made a trio of substitutions as Lewis Exley, Josh Strassheim and Jake Stafford replaced Wharton, Lancaster and Harrison. Exley nearly registered a goal with his first touch but his header went narrowly over the bar. The hosts countered on 50 minutes but Heslop’s effort was comfortably saved by Crombie. There was a huge moment on 60 minutes when Alfie Gordon produced a sublime stop as Bedlington were left with a glorious opportunity following a poor set piece from The Hoops. A mass melee broke out in the dugout and on the pitch as tempers flared again on 64 minutes. Birtley doubled their lead immediately after calm was restored. Scott Heslop was left unmarked following a Birtley set-piece and slotted into the empty net with Crombie left stranded. 

Jack Honour made a long-awaited return on 65 minutes as he made his first appearance in two years. The Hoops secured their passage to the next round as Matty Ward scored a trademark goal. Ward cutting in from the right and bending an effort into the far corner, the Birtley man enjoying his goal in front of a disappointed Terriers bench. Kaleb Young smashed the crossbar with a ferocious drive on 84 minutes as Birtley registered back to back wins for the first time since September. 

FULL TIME | Birtley Town 3-0 Bedlington Terriers

The Hoops now make the short trip down the A19 to Easington Colliery on Saturday. The next round will take place on Tuesday 11th March as Thornaby travel to The Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium. 

Attendance – 72

Player of the Match – Matty Ward

H2H v Bedlington Terriers (at Birtley Town)
P3 W2 D0 L1 GF8 GA3

Highlights