Birtley Town vs Boldon CA

The match programme can be viewed HERE.

 

The Hoops secured their spot in the top 5 with two games remaining in the EBAC Northern League Division Two. Going into the game, Birtley were aware that three points would mathematically ensure they qualified for this season’s play-offs.

 

It took Birtley just eight minutes to open the scoring with Glen Hargrave capitalising on a rebound from Boldon keeper Dobson. It was Hargrave’s 20th goal of the season and alongside 10 assists it shows what a crucial role he has played in our forward line throughout the campaign.

 

Birtley doubled their lead when Callum Turnbull scored at the near post after a Callum Smith free-kick was headed back across goal. It was a comfortable opening 45 minutes for the hosts as the visitors rarely troubled the Birtley defence. 

 

After the break it was much of the shame. Alex Francis forced Dobson to push the ball onto the crossbar on 55 minutes. Boldon remained a slight threat on the counter attack and Conor Grant had to be alert to sniff out Dos Santos on the hour mark.

 

Turnbull scored his second of the evening and Birtley’s third on 63 minutes. It was a similar goal to Turnbull’s first with a superb Liam Wotherspoon cross headed back across goal by none other than Glen Hargrave for Turnbull to notch his second.

 

The Hoops had further chances to extend their lead with the main chance falling to Joe Barwick however he couldn’t quite get the ball under control before being dispossessed from a Boldon defender. 

 

The win secured a top five position for Birtley as they now look to finish the season as high up the table as possible. The play-offs will be played over one leg with the highest placed team in each tie gaining home advantage. The Hoops now make their final away trip of the season to Esh Winning on Saturday before finishing the league campaign with a home tie against Ryton & Crawcrook. 

 

Manager’s Comments

Paul Bryson was delighted to secure a play-off position: “The result and performance was outstanding again. We finally cement a play-off position. I through we controlled the game and we have set the lads different challenges over the last few weeks and they have responded to each one.

The good thing about yesterday is that we kept another clean sheet alongside scoring three goals. We started well and Glen scored early. Callum then added another one before scoring a second goal. I am very pleased for Conor as he made a great save at 2-0 and that was a huge moment.

I was impressed with Callum and Alex. They kept Levi (Collins) and Wrighty really quiet and they are prolific strikers in our division. The two full-backs were excellent too. Our midfield three were very good again, Spoony was fantastic. He wins battles, knows when to play, how to get you forward and he’s a great lad too.

I am really pleased to see Glen reach 20 goals. He has not scored for 4 or 5 games and can get frustrated. Forwards judge themselves on scoring goals but he has been fantastic with his work rate, he stretches the play and he has created a lot of goals for us this season. He has been a perfect partner for Aidan. Our set plays look really dangerous. The deliveries from Spoony and Smiggs were brilliant.

We go into the last two games of the season, we will see where we finish in the league but we know we have secured a play-off place which we can all look forward to. In the last two games we want to maintain the form we are in. We are scoring goals and keeping clean sheets. 

H2H vs Boldon CA (home league games only)

P11 W6 D3 L2 GF28 GA21 Pts21

30.08.1995 – Birtley Town 2-2 Boldon CA
(P. Foster, P. Gallagher)

12.10.1996 – Birtley Town 0-0 Boldon CA
(N/A)

25.04.1998 – Birtley Town 2-4 Boldon CA
(S. Burns x2)

16.01.1999 – Birtley Town 3-1 Boldon CA
(Ward, Jordison, J. Melling)

18.03.2000 – Birtley Town 1-0 Boldon
(D. Hardy)

10.03.2001 – Birtley Town 3-4 Boldon CA
(K. Foster, Gibson, A. Davies)

22.09.2001 – Birtley Town 5-3 Boldon
(P. Wilson x3, M. Ford, A. Cosgrove)

02.04.2003 – Birtley Town 4-3 Boldon
(R. Preston, P. Bryson, C. Pennington, A. Lynch)

01.11.2003 – Birtley Town 3-1 Boldon CA
(K. Foster, P. Richardson, M. Mackay)

26.04.2006 – Birtley Town 2-0 Boldon CA
(A. Soulsby, D. Hall)

26.03.2022 – Birtley Town 3-3 Boldon CA
(S. Hedley, J. Barwick x2)

04.04.2023 – Birtley Town 3-0 Boldon CA
(C. Turnbull x2, G. Hargrave)

 

Overall record – P28 W16 D4 L8 GF68 GA62
Overall cup record – P5 W3 D1 L1 GF10 GA12

 

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