Birtley Town vs Newcastle Benfield

Recap

THEAR DOUBLE FIRES BIRTLEY INTO THE LAST EIGHT OF THE LEAGUE CUP.

An entertaining six goal thriller resulted in Birtley progressing to the Quarter Finals of the Brooks Mileson League Cup. Hoops fans were delighted to see the return of top scorer Nick Marley and he was involved from the first whistle. Marley won an early header which sent Matty Ward in on goal. Ward ended up caught between two minds and lifted the ball comfortably into the hands of Benfield keeper Oliver Basey. 

The Hoops were ahead on 7 minutes, Dale Burrell prodding home from close range after the ball bobbled the goalmouth following Owen Lancaster’s long throw-in. On 15 minutes, Ward sent an effort wide of the post when through on goal following another flick-on from Marley. Ward was involved again as he chased down a brilliant midfield header from Burrell. Ward squared across the box and Nick Marley was able to setup Liam Thear to smash home to double Birtley’s lead.

Birtley should have been out of sight by the 30 minute mark but it was Benfield who finished the opening period as the better side and remarkably on level terms. Andre Bennett fired wide from a free-kick but from the resulting corner Luke Palmer smashed home a superb effort from the edge of the area. With half-time approaching, Glen Hargrave struck the post after a neat turn on the six yard box. In typical and usual fashion, it was Hargrave who equalised for Benfield against his former side. Hargrave nodding in at the back post following a corner. 

HALF TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 2-2 NEWCASTLE BENFIELD

Despite their late setback it was Birtley who started the better side in the 2nd half. Dale Burrell blasted over from close range while at the other end Alfie Gordon easily claimed a long-range effort from the visitors.  Matty Ward powerful effort sailed over the bar from the edge of the area following good work from Thear. Birtley were really pushing by this point and their pressure paid off on the 69th minute. Reece Harrison delivered a corner and Basey was unable to clear with Sam Hedley on hand to score from close range. Ward had a further two efforts at goal and was unlucky not to score after a brilliant turn on the edge of the box. 

Birtley were looking to finish the tie with James Proctor curling effort going narrowly wide as injury-time was approaching. Basey made a comfortable save from Thear before Proctor struck the post on 92 minutes. Dale Burrell won two brilliant headers in midfield as Birtley were standing up to a late rallying call from Benfield. Birtley finally put the game to bed on 94 minutes. Sam Hedley hooked the ball clear and with Benfield pushing for an equaliser, Liam Thear was left with a whole half to himself. Thear composed himself before calmly slotting beyond Basey to send The Hoops into the quarter finals. 

FULL TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 4-2 NEWCASTLE BENFIELD

BROOKS MILESON LEAGUE CUP – INFORMATION

H2H vs NEWCASTLE BENFIELD
P3 W2 D0 L1 GF11 GA6

UP NEXT

News is awaited on a date for upcoming Quarter Final with Thornaby. Attention now turns to our last away league game of the season as The Hoops travel to North Shields on Saturday with a 3pm kick-off.