Birtley Town vs Carlisle City

Recap

Birtley were left to rue missed chances as the curtain game down on 2024 with a 1-1 draw against Carlisle City. 

The Hoops were nearly behind in the first couple of minutes but a magnificent Alfie Gordon save denied Michael Williamson. There were a host of early bookings as Benji Shodeinde and Jay Kelly were both given yellow cards in the first six minutes. Birtley were behind on 11 minutes. Hesitation from James Proctor and Matty Ward allowed Carlisle to break. Romeo Park found space between Lancaster and Dinsley, with Alfie Gordan back peddling toward his own goal Park’s effort was palmed into the feet of Michael Williamson who slotted into the empty net. Birtley had a host of corners in the next period of the game but the next chance fell to Carlisle. Dan Kirkup was left unmarked as his header was cleared by Reece Harrison. 

The pressure and volume of Birtley corners finally paid off when Jack Elliott’s delivery was met by a superb Owen Lancaster header. Lancaster rose well and headed into the top corner to pull Birtley back level.  The Hoops thought they were ahead when Kaleb Youngs free-kick somehow evaded the top corner. As the first half drew to a close Alfie Gordon pulled off a superb save to deny Romeo Park while at the other end Scott Heslop’s header was saved by Simons. 

Half-Time | Birtley Town 1-1 Carlisle City

Birtley pressed for an instant goal in the second half. Jack Elliott fizzled an effort just beyond the post before Scott Heslop’s looping header was again denied by Simons. Birtley were pilling on the pressure but unable to find the killer touch. Jack Elliott linked up nicely with Reece Harrison and his low cross was met by Benji Shodeinde. Shodeinde’s blast was somehow saved by Scott Simons when it looked destined for the net. Kaleb Young fired another spectatuclar effort narrowly over the bar before Alfie Gordon denied Kerr. 

Both sides were pressing for a winner and on 19 minutes Keenan struck a powerful shot towards the top corner which Alfie pulled off an excellent save to deny. Straight up the other side the lively Kelvin Thear fired low towards the far post but his effort was deflected wide for a corner. From the resulting corner, Sam Hedley rose well but his effort went over the bar. Thear once again a problem as he found Harrison on the overlap but Simons pulled off a good save to deny the Birtley left-back. 

Full-Time | Birtley Town 1-1 Carlisle City

Attendance – 320 

Player of the Match – TBC

H2H vs Carlisle City (at home)
P2 W1 D0 L1 GF5 GA5

Next up…

Birtley travel to Whickham AFC in a crucial relegation battle on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3pm. 

Highlights