Birtley Town vs Marske United

Recap

It was all square as Birtley Town and Marske United played out a 1-1 draw on a frosty Tuesday evening in Birtley.

A late header from Scott Heslop was cancelled out by a superb Josh Duffield strike as both sides took a point on a freezing cold evening.

The Hoops welcomed back Sam Dinsley and Matty Ward back into the side as both missed the draw at Benfield.

Birtley started the game and created the first real chance. Benji Shodeinde was played through by Matthew Ward but he fired wide. In the 12th minute Marske created their first opening of the game. The ball fell to McBride on the edge of the area but his effort was blocked by Josh Strassheim, the young Birtley defender putting everything on the line. McBride fizzed a low cross that evaded everyone just a minute later.

Marske starting to settle into the game and showing neat passing. Shodeinde was again denied by Swan on 14 minutes before the game levelled out. 

Shodeinde looked threatening once again as he broke free but the defender did well to clear the ball. Marske pushed in the dying stages of the first period but Alfie Gordon was tested just once as Boyle smashed an effort straight at the Birtley number one.

As the half-time whistle blew, both sides had enjoyed spells of possession but Birtley had created the better chances. 

HALF TIME | Birtley Town 0-0 Marske United

Marske started the 2nd period well and dominated the early staged without creating anything clear cut. Birtley were looking a threat on the counter but neither side could find a strong foothold in the game.

The game came into life on 64 minutes as Marske were awarded a penalty. McCorie Carmichael fired his effort straight down the middle but an outstretched arm from Alfie Gordon kept the ball out, Lewis Exley reacted well to clear the rebound out for a corner.

That prompted the home bench to make changes as Jack Elliott and Kelvin Thear entered the field and provided the hosts with some width. 

Birtley broke on the counter attack with substitute Scott Heslop playing in Kelvin Thear. Thear checked back to beat the defender but his effort was well saved by Swan. The rebound fell to Heslop on the edge of the area and he found Jack Elliot on the wide right. Elliot drove at the box before cutting to the outside and standing a cross up to the back post. The cross was met by the head of Scott Heslop and nestled in the bottom corner to give Birtley the lead with just ten minutes to go.

The Hoops had hoped that the goal would give them all three points. In the 88th minute though, Birtley failed to clear their lines and the ball dropped to Josh Duffield who smashed home a superb effort from around 20 yards out. 

FULL TIME | Birtley Town 1-1 Marske United

Attendance – 145

Player of the Match – Owen Lancaster

Manager’s comments

Reece Chapman: “On the balance of play a point each is probably a fair result. I thought we defended well most of the night, created some good chances and were competitive across the park against a good Marske side. Marske equally have had chances. That said we’re disappointed not to have taken all three when you go ahead late in the game and concede with only a few minutes to go it’s frustrating.

We’ve praised the lads for their efforts and endeavour but challenged them to show more quality in the final third. We’ve had another 1-on-1 opportunity with the goalkeeper, the third in the last three games, and a couple of other big chances in front of goal and haven’t taken them. We need to be better than that.

Over the last five or six games we’ve put our forward players into fantastic positions but not hit the back of the net regularly enough. “

H2H vs MARSKE UNITED (at Birtley)
P7 W1 D1 L5 GF13 GA24

Next up…

Birtley travel to Kendal on Saturday with a good old fashioned 3pm kick-off. The club are offering supporter transport to the game. Leaving at 10.45am and priced at £20 per head, supporters can book a seat by contacting Scott Brown or Paul Beat. 

Highlights