Recap

HOOPS GRAB FIRST POINTS OF THE SEASON AFTER DESERVED VICTORY IN HOME PREMIERE

BIRTLEY RESPONDED BRILLIANTLY TO SATURDAY’S TOUGH OPENER TO PUT ON AN INSPIRED PERFORMANCE WHICH, DESPITE A LATE GOAL, BROUGHT A 2-1 VICTORY IN THE HOOPS’ FIRST HOME GAME OF THE SEASON. 

There was lots of changes to take in for the first mens home game of 2026 – unless you’ve been keeping track of socials and knew all the improvements for the next season – and a strong midweek crowd of 254 made their way to the Arrowmark hoping to see Birtley respond to a tough opening fixture last Saturday. 

Pre-match, there was an impeccable minutes silence for our dear friend Brian Ainsley – who will be very sadly missed by all at Birtley Town Football Club. Many fans collected their season tickets today and number one was taken in honour of Brian for his family’s use as they wish.

KICK OFF

Just like Saturday, it was Birtley who had the better of the opening stages and after just six minutes, a Liam Wotherspoon free kick found Charlie Aitken, who powered an excellent effort on goal only to be denied an opener by a great save from Crook keeper Kyle Hayes. Aitken in particular was very lively in the early stages as Birtley had better spells of possession with limited penetration. His high press forced a corner which started a run of set pieces for the hosts but the final ball was too high even for a leaping Nick Marley. Shortly after the midway point of the first half, James Proctor dispossessed Errat-Thompson in his own half and tried to slide Aitken in but the defender just got a toe to the through ball and the attack broke down.

On the half-hour mark however, Birtley eventually had something to show for all their pressure. James Proctor produced a quite brilliant cross field diagonal ball to Nick Marley who took one touch before finishing clinically to give the Hoops their first goal of the season and an opener on the night.

Birtley didn’t relax there however and continued to press for another goal. Charlie Aitken was again involved with Regan Paterson and forced Hayes to scamble the ball clear for a throw. That was recycled and the ball milled around the Crook area before once again they managed to scramble clear. At this point it looked a matter of when not if Birtley would add a second. Aitken and Paterson combining again this time down the left but after being teed up the latter could only find the side netting. Almost instantly Aitken was played through again but could only fire wide.

Crook did manage to create a chance down the other end with Max Brandon cutting in off the left having driven down the line, but Alfie Gordon in the Birtley net was equal to the effort. The hosts once again drove forward and Aitken was once again played through but was always losing balance and couldn’t quite get a shot off. Then with the last action of the half, Proctor’s free kick from the edge of the area appeared to strike a Crook arm but the referee waved it away and instead blew the half time whistle. 

Half Time: Birtley Town 1-0 Crook Town

The second started a bit more evenly than the first period, although Joseph Smith of Crook did receive a yellow card for bringing down Proctor. However in the 56th minute, the game burst into life again. Kieran Galbraith brought down Charlie Aitken in the area for a penalty with Galbraith receiving a yellow. Last season’s top scorer James Proctor stepped up hoping to get off the mark for this campaign, but his effort was very well saved by Hayes who guessed correctly and saved down to his left. 

Almost instantaneously, there was a handball on the edge of the Crook area with many shouts for a red card – I will have to watch the Veo back – but the referee didn’t agree. He did however award the free kick and Reece Harrison stepped up and burried it in off the post to make it 2-0. 

Into the final third and Matty Ward replaced Regan Paterson who had looked dangerous on the wing all night. Wardy carried an excellent record against Crook with four goals in his last three home games against them. Joe Hailes replaced Dale Burrell a few minutes later after Dale had taken a knock. Wardy almost made an instant impact, running down the left before firing it wide when he had looked tempted to cut in and strike it with his right. Two more Hoops changes with Wotherspoon and goalscorer Marley off and Kaleb Young and Aaron Jackson replacing them. 

Hoops continued to press as they looked to see the game out. Ward again looked threatening on the left before having a strike deflected wide, and then Aitken forced Hayes into yet another save at point blank range. The away shotstopper had an excellent night and was the main reason there was still something left in the game. Those saves looked increasingly important minutes later though. For the second game in a row Glen Hargrave scored in the 91st minute to make it 2-1 and reduce the arrears for Crook. However, also for the second game in a row, it wasn’t enough as Birtley held on to claim all three points.

Full Time: Birtley Town 2-1 Crook Town

An impressive and enjoyable performance from Birtley in their first home game of the season, with those who attended being sent home happy with three points. 

We also had our first printed programmes being picked up for this fixture which we hope everyone enjoyed. In additon we had our inaugral 50/50 draw winner who claimed a crisp 50 quid and a free ticket to Saturday’s home game.

H2H vs Crook Town

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UPCOMING AT THE ARROWMARK

The Hoops have six of their next seven games at home, including five in the league. Following on from Crook on Tuesday, we have consecutive Saturday home games to add to your diaries:

Saturday 1st August           Yarm & Eaglescliffe     3pm kick off        Northern League Division One

Saturday 8th August         Bishop Auckland          3pm kick off        FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Thank you again for your support this evening, and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

UP THE HOOPS