Recap
Birtley Town made it three wins on the bounce on Tuesday night with a hard fought 2-0 victory over an impressive Kendal Town.
It was the first competitive meeting between the two sides and it was Kendal who started the brighter of the two sides. The pace of Steven Yawson and James Bailey caused The Hoops early problems. Yawson was denied by a strong Alfie Gordon save in the opening exchanges. Yawson again fired over on 13 minutes while Gordon had to be alert to prevent Bailey from reaching a through ball. It took Birtley 19 minutes to develop their first effort on goal, Matt Boyd forcing Cheetham into a quality save from a tight angle. Ryan Winder’s powerful long range effort was straight at Alfie Gordon as Birtley started to grow into the game midway through the 1st half.
Kendal were still dominating the goal scoring opportunities and Alfie Gordon had to be at full stretch to deny Niall Cowperthwaithe’s header. The Hoops were the first to strike and made Kendal pay for a host of wasted opportunities. Matthew Ward broke from down the right-hand side and delivered a low ball across the box. The ball evaded Scott Heslop but Kelvin Thear came crashing home at the far post to score his first Northern League goal in over two years.
HALF TIME | Birtley Town 1-0 Kendal Town
Kendal started the second half pressing for an equaliser and Alfie Gordon had to deny another long-range effort from Ryan Winder. Birtley thought they had extended their lead on 52 minutes but Scott Heslop’s looping header evaded everyone at the far post. Matthew Dudley missed a good chance from close range for the visitors when he fired his header over the bar.
Birtley were well aware that their lead was in a precarious position, James Proctor and Nick Marley coming on to help offer protection to a slender lead. Kendal continued to press but Birtley’s backline were standing strong. Birtley got their reward for their resolute defending on 65 minutes. A delightful Lewis Exley cross found an unmarked Scott Heslop who glanced his header into the far corner via the inside of the post.
Leyton Holden should have pulled a goal back for Kendal but his header was wide of Gordon’s goal. Kendal continued to press but Birtley’s backline stood firm. The Hoops looked a threat to extend their lead with Kendal pressing for a way back into the game. In the dying moments, Alfie Gordon produced a double save to keep a second clean sheet in row for Birtley.
FULL TIME | Birtley Town 2-0 Kendal Town
A hard fought victory for Birtley against a Kendal side who will have felt that they deserved something from the game. Ultimately the crucial moments coming in both boxes. The Hoops now move onto Saturday’s FA Vase game with Horden CW with full confidence following a third successive victory.
Player of the Match – Alex Francis selected by matchday sponsor L&G Family Funeral Directors.
Attendance – 196
Manager’s Corner
Reece Chapman: “Kendal were the best side we’ve played this season with the ball – no doubt about it. They moved it brilliantly and their rotation in midfield was fantastic. They will definitely look at it as points dropped and I wouldn’t disagree”
“Our own performance was not as fluid as we’d have liked but we were the better team in both boxes, clinical with our chances and everyone defended to a man. At the end of the day it’s the result that matters. It helps us to continue to build momentum, but we know there’s a few things that we need to do better. Nevertheless, 2 goals and a clean sheet in the northern league is always a good result. It gives us further confidence heading into Horden on Saturday in what will be another tough game”
Next up…
The Hoops turn their attention to the FA Vase as they host Horden CW on Saturday.
Highlights
To follow…
