Birtley Town vs Newcastle Benfield

Recap

Five goals in just sixteen first-half minutes secured another vital victory for Birtley Town in their hunts for the play-offs. 

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Match programme is available here.

Alex Francis returned to the side after missing the last two games through injury and it was the Birtley skipper who scored our first goal after 14 minutes. A long Owen Lancaster throw-in was helped on by Scott Heslop, Francis applying the finishing touch as the back post. The goal came against the run of play with Benfield dominating the opening period. Just two minutes later and Birtley were 2-0 up. Another long throw-in was helped on by Stephen Hall, James Proctor delightfully laid off Matty Ward who smashed home from around twelve yards out. Direct from the kick-off, Birtley regained possession through excellent work from Proctor and Heslop. Heslop then found Proctor who neatly slid Ward in for his second goal in a minute. By this point Benfield had folded despite their strong start to the game.

Scott Heslop was left unmarked to score his 15th goal of the season after a fantastic set piece from Liam Wotherspoon. Heslop duly heading home from the six yard box. Wotherspoon was again the provider for Birtley’s 5th goal, an in swinging corner was met by Alex Francis who headed his second goal of the afternoon. Birtley were looking threatening every time they went forward and each set-piece caused mayhem in the Benfield box. 

HALF TIME | Birtley Town 5-0 Newcastle Benfield

Benfield were much improved in the second period. Noah Millington pulled one goal back for the visitors when he slotted home from close range after a good save from Alfie Gordon. Birtley rounded off a comfortable win on 80 minutes with a deserved goal for Liam Wotherspoon. a 60 yard pass from Alex Francis found Dylan Garvey, he was able to play Taylor Richardson in on goal but his effort came back off the post. Scott Heslop’s rebound was well blocked before Wotherspoon arrived to smash home Birtley’s sixth of the game.

FULL TIME | Birtley Town 6-1 Newcastle Benfield

The win took Birtley back into third position before a crucial tie against Heaton Stannington on Easter Monday

Player of the Match – Matthew Ward

Attendance – 211 including a noisy section of Newcastle Benfield Ultras.

H2H vs Newcastle Benfield (at Birtley)
This is the first competitive meeting at Birtley between the two sides

All meetings vs Newcastle Benfield
P2 W1 D0 L1 GF2 GA3

Highlights