Birtley Town vs Crook Town

Recap

The Ghost of Christmas past appeared at Birtley after they recorded a familiar 3-3 score line against Crook Town 

Matchday programme available HERE.

Match Gallery available HERE.  

After recording a mammoth seven 3-3 draws last season, Birtley conceded two late goals in another six-goal thriller to share the spoils against Crook Town.

It took Birtley just 14 minutes to open the scoring on their first home game in ten weeks. A delightful through ball from James Proctor was well finished by the in-form Matthew Ward.  The lead only lasted six minutes however as Craig Moody slotted home an equaliser for the black and ambers after Callum Turnbull had cleared off the Birtley line.  

HALF TIME | Birtley Town 1-1 Crook Town

Birtley started the second half in the ascendancy with Crook keeper Boughey doing well to deny James Proctor. The Hoops were in the lead once again when Matthew Ward provided the killer finish to net his second of the game. Wardy was proving a real thorn in Crook’s side and he was back in the action again on 67 minutes. The tricky forward worked his way into the Crook box before being brought down and the referee pointed to the spot. Callum Turnbull stepped up to fire the penalty into the top corner to give The Hoops a two goal advantage.

Birtley thought they had the game wrapped up moments later but Stephen Hall was judged to have strayed offside. That moment seemed to spark Crook back into action and they were unlucky not to cut the deficit as they struck the crossbar. Birtley entered the closing stages of the game with a comfortable lead but Ben Trotter and Crook had other ideas. The Crook man scoring two goals in as many minutes to bring the visitors level, with the second goal an excellent header from around 12 yards out. 

FULL TIME | Birtley Town 3 – 3 Crook Town

Manager’s Corner:

Paul Bryson: “We were missing Alex so we made one change with Josh coming in at right back. We started the game really well and were dictating the play. They looked lively on the transition but I was really pleased with the way we started the game. We deserved to go one up after smashing play from Proc and Wardy. Crook equalised and they then grew into the game.”

“We wanted to repeat our opening period in the second half and to be fair the lads delivered that. Wardy scored a second and then he was brought down for a penalty, Callum tucks it home and it was pleasing. We were 3-1 up and playing really well. We were looking to see the game out and they went a little bit more direct. They scored and got some momentum from that, then they equalised soon after.

We were pleased with large parts of the game but were disappointed that we didn’t see the game out so we need to recognise those important moments. Crook are in really good form and it would have been a brilliant win. It was a little disappointing but its another point against a good side.”

H2H vs Crook Town (at Birtley)
P10 W3 D0 L7 GF18 GA28

Next up…

Birtley will host Redcar Athletic on Saturday 30th December in a 3pm kick-off. 

Highlights