Birtley Town vs Easington Colliery

Recap

ARROWMARK SEES FIRST GOALLESS DRAW SINCE DECEMBER 2024 AS HOOPS HELD BY EASINGTON

BOTH SIDES UNABLE TO TAKE CHANCES AS SOLID HOME FORM CONTINUES

The goalkeepers came out on top at the Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium with Birtley extending their home form to one defeat since 4th November. The Hoops were unable to close the gap on the visitors as Easington Colliery stayed four points clear of Birtley in mid-table. The game began in glorious sunshine on Non League Day as the Hoops hoped to put on a show for a decent home crowd. 

The crowd was very quickly quietened as Charlie Aitken went down with injury for the Hoops within 20 seconds of the game starting. He was replaced by Liam Thear. The visitors edged the opening stages and had a huge opening on eight minutes. A defensive lapse from the Birtley back line left Liam Adamson to run through on goal only to be denied by a brilliant Ryan Hammer save with his legs. 

Birtley then began to take the ascendancy and substitute Thear made space for himself down the left and fired an effort just past the far post. Thear was then felled and himself took the free kick but could only find the wall which was certainly not 10 yards away. More good Birtley work down the left followed and Reece Harrison appeared to be in on goal but a poor touch forced him wider than needed the keeper could save his effort before Matty Ward fired the rebound wide. Then two more chances for Easington Colliery very similar to one another. The offside trap was broken on 29 minutes but once again Hammer was out to save well. And the exact same happened two minutes later making it three first half one-on-one saves for the American. 

Sam Hedley then had to intervene to make sure the Easington winger couldn’t cross when well placed. Craig Hennis was then booked for the visitors as he brought down an advancing Joe Hailes. The end of the half brought more Hoops pressure but Easington managed to hold out to the whistle. 

HALF TIME – BIRTLEY TOWN 0-0 EASINGTON COLLIERY

The second half started as the first had ended with Hoops making openings. This time it was Liam Thear’s turn to beat the offside trap but could only fire at the keeper who had come charging out. The ball rebounded to Thear but by this time a defender had got back and cleared. 

The game then began to lose fluidity with both teams having players going down for injuries and substitutions aplenty. Dale Burrell replaced the booked Jake Stafford for Birtley. Chris Trewick was the third player in the book as he brought Matty Ward down. Harrison stood up a ball to the back post which only just evaded Owen Lancaster at the back post. Two more changes for the Hoops, with Young and Gettins replacing Hailes and Havelock-Brown with fifteen to go. It was then all Birtley as Thear had a shot blocked and more corners caused confusion in the Easington box. Charlie Armin then replaced Liam Thear and was booked instantly. 

Into the final five minutes and the Hoops kept pushing for a winner. Gettins fired a cross along the six yard box begging for a touch but no one was there in green and white. Substitute Kaleb Young fired a shot out of the stadium and another set piece couldn’t yield anything as the keeper claimed well. Easington captain James Fairley ironically wasn’t playing fair as he got booked for diving. Harry Gettins won a free kick deep into added time and despite huge shouts for handball, the referee brought and end to proceedings. 

FULL TIME – BIRTLEY TOWN 0-0 EASINGTON COLLIERY

A point which neither team will feel completely content with and both will feel they could have taken all three points. Easington could have been at least one ahead into half time but for Ryan Hammer’s interventions. Birtley will feel their second half pressure should have lead to a goal. 

Many thanks to all that came down to the Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium. We still have a lot to play for this season with our last 16 tie against Newcastle Benfield rearranged for the 7th April. We would love a big crowd for that one as we look for a big end to the season. 

Thank you for your support as always.

H2H vs EASINGTON COLLIERY
P8 W4 D1 L3 GF17 GA12

UP NEXT…

We make the short trip to Benfield in the league on Tuesday night before returning home on Good Friday as we host Whickham with kick off at 1pm.