Birtley Town vs Crook Town

Recap

Birtley Town fell to a close 2-1 defeat on Tuesday evening as both sides locked horns in a competitive fixture. 

Crook started the better of the two sides but Birtley defenders stood tall as stream of attacks bombarded the Birtley area early in the game. Alfie Gordon pulled off a good save from a corner. On 14 minutes, a long ball from Gordon evaded everyone and left Matty Ward through on goal. Wardy rounded the keeper and slotted home to put Birtley 1-0 up. Moments later, Ward was once again through on goal but this time was denied by the Crook keeper. At this point Crook started to come back into the game. Corey Nicholson was allowed to travel with the ball and delivered a low cross into the box which was bundled home by Josh Macdonald. The Hoops conceding yet another goal in in the later stages of the 1st half. 

Full-Time | Birtley Town 1 – 1 Crook Town

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with heavy Crook pressure on the Birtley goal. At the other end both Ward and Heslop had chances for Birtley to extend their lead. The second half burst into life when Alfie Gordon was clattered by a Crook attacker which resulted in a big melee. Gordon, Sam Dinsley and another Crook player all entered the referee’s book as the tempo of the game intensified. In the 68th minute, Jack Raper broke free of a poor offside trap and slotted the ball through the lgs of Alfie Gordon to put Crook into the lead, much to the delight of a large Crook following. 

Birtley thought they had equalised late on when Nick Marley headed over the bar from close range,. Moments later Owen Lancaster fired wide from the penalty spot and at that moment The Hoops would have to reflect on another defeat.

Full-Time | Birtley Town 1 – 2 Crook Town

Birtley will take positives from the game and the effort of the players could not be questioned. The Hoops will have to roll their sleeves up and work hard together as welcome Newcastle Blue Star to The Arrowmark on Friday. 

Attendance – 183

Player of the Match – Sam Hedley

Manager’s Comments

Reece Chapman: ““It’s real mixed emotions after the game. We’re disappointed to have not got anything out the game, we deserved at least a point. Weve missed a lot of good chances. However, we’re much happier in the overall performance and the way that we worked for each other.”

“Crook started really brightly and had a few half chances in the first ten minutes, but as soon as we settled, I genuinely thought we could have scored 2, 3 or even 4. Crook have then hit us on the counter a little bit towards the end of the first half and you go in at half time 1-1. In the second half Crook have come at us and had a good spell of pressure. Their long throw was dangerous, and they deserved to go 2-1 ahead. We were really impressed though with our response and for the final 15-20 minutes we really attacked the game and have again forced their keeper into some good saves. Again on another day you get a point or even all three but it helps us with confidence knowing that we were a great match for a bang in form Crook team.”

H2H vs Crook Town (at Birtley Town)
P11 W3 D1 L7 GF21 GA31

Next up…

Birtley host Newcastle Blue Star on Friday

Highlights

To follow…