Recap
Benji Shodeinde scored a perfect hat-trick that helped fire Birtley to a 4-0 victory over newly promoted Easington Colliery on Saturday.
The Hoops returned to home soil with a fantastic victory on Saturday that will need to be a platform that kick-starts their season. Birtley made just one change to the team that drew at Redcar with Scott Heslop replacing Nick Marley. It was the visitors who were the better side for much of the first period. Alfie Gordon denied Brad Hird when he was quick off his line to smother a brilliant opportunity. On 21 minutes, Benji Shodeinde beat his man before firing a low cross across the box, Scott Heslop narrowly missing his connection at the back post.
Sam Hedley blocked a goal bound effort by Matthew Weirs while Alfie Gordon produced an outstanding save to stop Thomas Bott from opening the scoring. Bott rose well to meet a Dylan Elliott corner and his downward header was tipped over by Gordon after bouncing just in front of the Birtley number one. Easington had pressed throughout the half and the set piece delivery from Elliott ensured Birtley had to defend well as the first half drew to a close.
HALF TIME | Birtley Town 0-0 Easington Colliery
Birtley started the second half looking to pose a threat to Easington. It took just six minutes for the hosts to open the scoring. Excellent work from Shodeinde resulted in a corner, Lewis Exley delivered an in-swinging corner that Bussey could only manage to push into his own net, with Scott Heslop very quick to claim the goal. There was to be no doubt about Birtley’s second though. A hook up the line from James Proctor was collected well from Heslop. Heslop then turned the centre back and unselfishly pulled the ball back to Benji Shodeinde who fired into the bottom corner, much to the delight of Heslop, Benji and the Birtley faithful.
Three goals in 14 minutes had the game wrapped up from Birtley. Bussey tried to a clear the ball but he was closed down by Shodeinde. The ball cannoned off Benji and across the face of the goal. Shodeinde was able to use his pace to collect the ball from the byline, he then cut back inside onto his left foot and fired his second of the afternoon into the roof of the net. Easington were given a route back into the game when Lewis Exley was penalised for hand ball in the area. Dylan Elliott stepped up to take but smashed his effort off the crossbar.
Benji completed his perfect hat-trick on 84 minutes. Substitute Matty Boyd managed to create space for himself before firing a delightful low cross that was converted by the diving head of Benji Shodeinde. Benji pushed for a fourth goal only to be denied by Bussey but there were smiles on the Birtley faces as the referee brought the game to an end.
FULL TIME | Birtley Town 4-0 Easington Colliery
A crucial three points for Birtley and the win saw them climb up to 17th. The Hoops now sit on 12 points going above Newcastle Benfield and Whickham. The goal for Birtley will be to claw themselves back up to the middle section of the table and away from the relegation places. Easington sit four points above Birtley in 16th with just 5 points separating 9th to 16th position.
Attendance – 177
Man of the Match – Benji Shodeinde
Manager’s Corner
Reece Chapman: “It’s a fantastic three points that in the end I feel we deserve. A win and clean sheet is always a great result. We’ve had a good week with this win and the point away at Redcar. Easington caused us a few problems in the first half. They were very good from set pieces and although we had a couple of good chances, I feel they probably edged the first half. We had to change a few things at half time. We tried to get more control in the game and move their shape more. We identified some changes and delivered our messages, but the lads carried them out fantastically and like always deserve the credit. Benji and Hezzy were a real handful in the second half and when we introduced Nick too, we gave Easington further problems. Our performances over the last few weeks have been good for large spells but we haven’t got the rewards. I think this week we have, and we now need to build on that moving forward.”
Next up…
Birtley host Northallerton on Tuesday evening with a 7.30pm kick-off.
Highlights
