Recap
Birtley Town made it back to back league victories for the first time this season as The Hoops secured a crucial win over Marske United.
Having finished the previous fixture against Crook with a flurry of goals and three points, Paul Foster rewarded Dale Burrell, Scott Heslop and Matty Ward with places in the starting eleven. The Hoops took no time in continuing where they had left off from last week. After just two minutes Matty Ward’s free kick was poorly punched away, Scott Heslop lashing home a brilliant volley from the penalty spot. The Hoops were 2-0 ahead within six minutes. A long throw-in from Owen Lancaster was flicked on by Ban Walker with Sam Hedley tapping home at the back post.
Heslop produced a strong save from Matty Wilkinson on 11 minutes after Dale Burrell was fouled on the edge of the box. Heslop, Marley and Ward were casing all kinds of problems, it was Heslop who found Ward out wide, his first time cross was met by the unmarked Marley but his effort sailed over. Ward blazed over on 40 minutes before Nick Marley went closer, smashing the crossbar after meeting James Proctor’s superb cross. Birtley finally scored the illusive third goal when Matty Ward’s delivery was headed home by Heslop on the stroke of half time.
HALF TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 3-0 MARSKE UNITED
Looking at the half-time result, most would’ve thought that the game was dead and buried but in typical Birtley fashion The Hoops never seem to be fully over the line. Max Craggs pulled one back on 52 minutes with a well taken free-kick from 25 yards. The game had seemed to settle and when Dale Burrell headed home an outstanding James Proctor corner, The Hoops had finally restored their three goal lead.
On 83 minutes Finn McKitterick volleyed home after Birtley had failed to clear their lines. Just a minute later and Marske were back in the game, Jey Draper taking advantage of a defensive mix-up before slotting into an empty net. Marske pressed for an equaliser and were buoyed on by a Birtley side who at this point were on the ropes. Draper had the best chance to pull level but his header went narrowly wide from a long Wilkinson set-piece.
The Hoops nearly scored a fifth when Liam Thear danced his was into the area but he wasn’t able to find a Birtley player with his pull back. James Proctor was booked in the closing stages as Birtley managed to hold out for a vital three points. The Hoops overall deserved their victory and were applauded as they left the field. As the lads made their way into Wadgey’s Bar, the management team led by Paul Foster looked to have aged 30 years during the last twenty minutes.
FULL TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 4-3 MARSKE UNITED
ATTENDANCE: 119
MOTM: Scott Heslop
H2H v Marske United (at Birtley)
| DATE | HOME | F | A | AWAY | COMPETITION | ATT. | GOALSCORERS |
| 08.10.1994 | Birtley Town | 6 | 9 | Marske United | League Cup | R2 | U/K | J. Melling x4 | A. Clark G. Scanlin (P) |
| 15.04.1996 | Birtley Town | 1 | 4 | Marske United | Wearside League | U/K | C. Hall |
| 22.03.1997 | Birtley Town | 1 | 0 | Marske United | Wearside League | U/K | D. Fishburn |
| 22.12.2007 | Birtley Town | 0 | 3 | Marske United | NL Div 2 | 90 | – |
| 25.02.2009 | Birtley Town | 2 | 3 | Marske United | NL Div 2 | U/K | S. Graham | S. Burns |
| 07.11.2009 | Birtley Town | 2 | 4 | Marske United | NL Div 2 | 44 | D. Tremble x2 |
| 05.03.2011 | Birtley Town | 1 | 1 | Marske United | NL Div 2 | 50 | C. Tait |
| 26.11.2024 | Birtley Town | 1 | 1 | Marske United | NL Div 1 | 145 | S. Heslop |
NEXT UP…
The Hoops make their way down the A19 to Horden CW for a Black-Eye Friday fixture. Kick-off is at 7.30pm. Birtley then travel to local rivals Whickham AFC on Boxing Day before returning to The Arrowmark in the New Year.
Finally, we have recently released a new range with partner From The Terraces including hoodies, polos and t-shirts with plenty of colours and choice.
https://store.birtleytownfc.co.uk/products-list/collections/from-the-terraces-collection
HIGHLIGHTS
