Recap
Birtley’s goal-scoring form eluded them at the Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with opponents North Shields taking victory via the game’s only goal.
The home side bucked their recent trend of conceding early and nearly went ahead themselves with both Dale Burrell and Liam Thear coming close, the latter following a great ball over the top from ‘keeper Max Campbell.
James Proctor was again causing havoc on the left and felt he should’ve had a penalty on 14 minutes after a coming-together with his marker, but the referee waved play-on.
North Shields then opened the scoring on 22 minutes, after a Birtley clearance fell into the path of new-signing Ben Sampson, who struck a powerful effort to Campbell’s right-hand side.
The Robins twice came close to doubling their advantage, but neither Brandon Slater nor Regan Patterson were able to get their efforts on target. Hoops skipper Jack Honour came close to an equaliser on the stroke of half-time but was unable to thread his effort through the sea of bodies in the penalty area.
HALF TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 0-1 NORTH SHIELDS
Manager Paul Foster rang the changes at half-time, with Jack Honour, Kaleb Young and Nick Marley making way for Kyle Wharton, Charlie Armin and Matty Ward.
The refreshed Hoops continued to press for a breakthrough, which finally came in the 57th minute as Proctor was again sent sprawling in the box. Liam Thear stepped up to take the resultant spot-kick but saw his uncharacteristically tame effort saved by Callum Elliott.
Birtley introduced their pair of American youngsters Malachi Ray-Tharpe and Sean Comstock into the mix as they continued to chase the game, but it was Birtley veteran Dale Burrell who nearly secured a share of the points at the death with a carbon copy of Sampson’s opener, but his deflected strike ricocheted off Elliott and was diverted wide.
FULL TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 0-1 NORTH SHIELDS
It was a disappointing afternoon for Birtley, who’ll feel they deserved to get something from what was a tightly fought contest. Attention now turns to Tuesday’s Durham Challenge Cup fixture against Seaham Red Star, with a quarter-final place on offer for the victors.
