Birtley Town vs Beverley Town

Recap

Reece Harrison scored twice as Birtley secured their passage in the FA Cup with a 3-1 victory over Beverley Town on Saturday. 

The Hoops were dealt a major blow before kick-off as Decklan Greenwood pulled up in the warm-up, Sam Dinsley volunteering himself for the stand-in goalkeeper role. It was Birtley who started the better of the two sides and should’ve been ahead on 18 minutes. Scott Heslop, Matty Ward and Reece Harrison had all seen their efforts at goal blocked by spectacular defending from The Beavers, the visitors throwing their bodies on the line to keep the scores at bay. Birtley did manage to take the lead just moments later though. Matty Ward was felled in the area and James Proctor stepped up to score his 2nd goal of the season from the penalty spot.

Beverley reacted well to going a goal down, Glen Sani forcing Sam Dinsley into his first save of the afternoon. Beverley struck the post a few moments later through Connelly as the visitors pressed for an equaliser. Slightly against the run of play, Birtley extended their lead in the 29th minute. Matty Ward drove beyond the Beavers right-back and cut the ball back to Reece Harrison. Harrison steadied himself before firing the ball into the top corner. 

Half-Time | Birtley Town 2-0 Beverley Town

It was Beverley who started the second half looking for a way back into the game. The Beavers were awarded a dangerous free-kick on 47 minutes that Snelgrove whistled just beyond the post. That gave Birtley a warning sign but a similar free-kick was conceded on 56 minutes. McCauley Snelgrove once again stepped up, this time finding the bottom corner to get Beverley back into the game. 

Beverley pushed for an equaliser without creating any meaningful chance. Jake Stafford’s long range effort was comfortably watched by keeper Overton. As the minutes ticked away, The Beavers started to pile the pressure on the Birtley defence. 

Seven minutes of added on time seemed to take a lifetime and in the last minute Beverley were awarded a corner. Overton made his way up from the Beverley goal but it was Birtley who cleared the ball through Ethan Bewley. That found it’s way to Reece Harrison who broke free of everyone and accelerated towards the halfway line. Clearly looking physically exhausted, Harrison used his last efforts to strike the ball towards an open goal from around 45 yards. The ball eventually nestling in the back of the net after what seemed to take an eternity to reach the goal line. 

Full-Time | Birtley Town 3-1 Beverley Town

Attendance – 199 including a sizeable traveling from Beverley

Player of the match – Sam Dinsley

FA Cup History (Home games only)
P5 W2 L3 D0 F8 A14

Next up… 

Birtley will now welcome Shildon AFC in the next round of the FA Cup. That tie is due to be played on Saturday 16th August. 

The Hoops will make another long distance journey to Marske on Tuesday evening as they return to Northern League action. Kick-off at Mount Pleasant is 7:45pm.