Recap

FIRST HALF COMEBACK NOT ENOUGH AS HOOPS EXIT FA CUP AGAINST BISHOP AUCKLAND

Birtley fought back from 2-0 down to level before half time, but a second half free kick saw the visitors progress to the Preliminary Round

An excellent crowd of 369 headed to the Arrowmark for our first cup clash of the season with a strong following from the visitors and they were rewarded with an electric start by Bishop Auckland. On five minutes, Amar Purewal was played over the top and finished off the inside of the post to score for the second game in succession. And five minutes later, it looked like this year’s FA Cup run was over after just ten minutes, with Moody played in down the side, where he slid it across for Gary Martin to sidefoot home. 

Birtley finally began to settle into the game, and midway through the first half Arjun Purewal was booked for a foul on Nick Marley on the edge of the area. Reece Harrison stepped up having converted from a similar position two weeks ago, but it just missed the right hand post. The Hoops began to grow and on twenty nine minutes Liam Wotherspoon had the hosts first shot on goal but could only fire straight at the keeper. Two minutes later, and the Hoops got a goal back, with James Proctor beating the Bishop keeper to the ball over the top before firing into an empty net. 

The visitors responded with some pressure of their own but a promising attack was stopped by an excellent sliding challenge by Wotherspoon. On the stroke of halftime, Birtley managed to find an equaliser, Nick Marley ran on to his own flick on and charged down the right before sliding a lovely ball across for Regan Paterson to finish into the side netting for his first goal for the club. 

HALF TIME: BIRTLEY TOWN 2-2 BISHOP AUCKLAND

The visitors started the second half fast, and after two minutes Alfie Gordon came miles out his area to clear the ball but could only find Purewal whose effort drifted just wide of the goal. Moments later Purewal ran through again despite appearing offside but Gordon saved his effort nonetheless. In an entertaining start to the half, Birtley came close shortly after with Proctor’s cross headed down to Charlie Aitken who couldn’t quite control the effort and it went over. 

On the hour mark, Bishop Auckland retook the lead. Kyle Wharton was penalised for a challenge on the edge of the area, which saw him booked, and Dane Burlace fired the free kick under the wall past Alfie Gordon to his right and into the bottom corner. Birtley did have the ball in the net not long after, but Nick Marley had impeded the Bishop keeper getting to the ball before it went all the way in. 

Into the final 15 minutes, and Birtley were pushing forward. An exquisite cross field pass from substitute Lewis Exley found James Proctor who brought the ball down perfectly but couldn’t quite get an effort on goal. However, the visitors saw out the game well and held on to secure a ticket to the Preliminary Round.

FULL TIME: BIRTLEY TOWN 2-3 BISHOP AUCKLAND

COMING UP
Please note that Tuesday’s away game at Whitley Bay has been postponed due to the visitors having an FA Cup replay on Wednesday. This game has been rearranged for Tuesday 8th September.

That means that our next game is at home on Saturday 15th August against Whitley Bay. We look forward to seeing you all there as we return to league action. 

UP THE HOOPS