Birtley Town v Dunston UTS

Recap

Birtley fell to a 2nd consecutive 5-1 defeat as an impressive Dunston UTS side progressed in the FA Cup. 

Match programme is available here. 

The Hoops entered into their first ever FA Cup Qualifying Round knowing that it would be a difficult task to overcome a strong Dunston side. A record crowd of 612 supporters packed into The Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium on a sunny afternoon in DH3.

UTS took just 11 minutes to take the lead. A short corner resulted in Phil Turnbull being given far too much time to deliver a cross which was ultimately met by the head of Jack Walker, a superb header that left Birtley keeper Gordon with no chance. The goal seemed to raise the performance levels of Birtley and the hosts pilled on pressure looking for an immediate response. Birtley were unable to capitalise on a number of set plays but their best chance of the half fell to James Proctor on 26 minutes. Proc lifted the ball over the advancing keeper but his effort went narrowly wide. Moments later, Jack Elliott had an effort from the edge of the area that once again went narrowly wide. 

In a killer blow, Dunston doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. Scott Robson broke the offside trap and calmly squared to David Robinson who made no mistake. It was a huge moment in the fixture as Birtley had failed to capitalise on their most promising period of the game. The Hoops once again conceding a goal on the stroke of half-time. 

HALF TIME | Birtley Town 0-2 Dunston UTS

The Hoops started the second period looking for a way back into the game. They had the first opportunity but Sam Hedley was unable to head Sam Dinsley’s free-kick back across the goal. Birtley thought they had clawed one back in the 52nd minute but Jack Elliott was deemed to have strayed offside following a beautiful through ball from Sam Hedley. Elliott lifted the ball into the net but the offside flag was raised. within 60 seconds, Dunston UTS had finished the game off. A neat passage of play resulted in Sado Djalo neatly finishing from close range. From this point, Dunston dominated the game. Djalo scored his second after a poor back pass from Callum Turnbull. The Dunston striker rounded Alfie Gordon before beautifully backheeling the ball back beyond the recovering Gordon. At this stage, Dunston seemed a in rampant mood. Pearson hit the post on the hour mark before Scott Robson wasted a good opportunity to get Dunston’s fifth. Alfie Gordon made two strong saves to prevent further Dunston goals. 

Scott Robson did score Dunston’s 5th of the afternoon on 73 minutes converting after Dan Turner had hit the woodwork. The Hoops managed a consolation goal in the dying stages when James Proctor converted a late penalty. 

FULL TIME | Birtley Town 1-5 Dunston UTS

There could be little complaints from the Birtley faithful as The Hoops crashed out of the cup at the hands of a superior Dunston side. The Hoops now must quickly turn their attention back to the league as they host Crook 

Attendance – A new club record for Birtley as 612 supports packed into The Arrowmark. The new figure of 612 beats the previous record when 518 supporters witnessed Birtley overcome Chester-le-Street Town two seasons ago.  

Player of the match – Jack Elliott

Manager’s Corner

Reece Chapman: “Well done to Dunston and we hope they get a good tie in the next round. They were the better team and deserved to go through. The game was more competitive than the scoreline perhaps suggests. We were in a game in the first half and start the second really brightly. The third goal then comes at a bad time for us having just had one ruled out for what seemed a very tight offside. Dunston will rightly be pleased with their goals but we feel we can do better with two or three of them – they’ve come from our mistakes and with the quality they have were always going to come unstuck.

“Overall, the little run in the FA cap has been pleasing. It’s been good for the club and we’ve learnt a lot along the way. Now we have to bounce back though against a good side in Crook”.

H2H vs Dunston UTS
P1 W0 D0 L1 GF1 GA2

This is the first competitive meeting between the two sides at Birtley Town

Next up…

The Hoops host Crook Town on Tuesday evening as we return to league action. Kick-off is 7.30pm. 

Highlights

To follow…