Birtley Town vs Northallerton Town

Recap

Birtley Town continued their recent revival in form with an impressive 3-1 victory over Northallerton. 

Match programme available here.

The Hoops named an unchanged starting eleven from the side that dispatched Easington. Birtley were nearly ahead after two minutes when Benji Shodeinde struck the post from around 10 yards out. Northallerton also had a brilliant early chance when Alistair Banks clipped the ball over Alfie Gordon but his effort went wide of the post. Benji once was again involved but his header went wide of the far post on 21 minutes. 

Jordan Blinco fired wide on 23 minutes before Josh Strassheim’s last ditch tackle proved crucial on 25 minutes. Just two minutes later, Birtley were ahead. A long throw-in was headed on by Sam Hedley. Ally keeper Callum Dobson dropped the ball and Benji Shodeinde made no mistakes from one yard out. On the stroke of half-time, Alfie Gordon produced a wonderful save to deny Jordan Blinco. Just before the break, a strong tackle from James Garwood produced a reaction from Sam Dinsley. Once the referee managed to restore order to the other 20 players, both men received a straight red card meaning both sides had to play the 2nd period with ten men. 

HALF TIME | Birtley Town 1-0 Northallerton Town

Birtley started the 2nd period in blistering fashion. An early chance for Benji was denied by Dobson. Scott Heslop had a chance but Dobson saved again before denying Matty Ward with the rebound. Both Lewis Exley and James Proctor were producing wonderful corners and somehow the elusive second goal was evading Birtley. Dobson again denied Shodeinde on 63 minutes. 

It took Birtley until 73rd minute to finally double their lead. After a series of corners, Sam Hedley rose to meet James Proctor’s corner. Dobson thought he had done enough but the assistant referee flagged to correctly judge the ball had crossed the line. The goal was needed as Northallerton pulled one back from the penalty spot on 81 minutes. Lewis Exley penalised for a last ditch tackle despite Ex looking to have won the ball. 

Birtley wrapped the victory in the 90th minute. A long ball from Alfie Gordon was flicked on by Scott Heslop ad the tireless running of James Proctor was rewarded as he slotted below Dobson to complete a fine performance for Birtley. 

FULL TIME | Birtley Town 3-1 Northallerton Town

An important three points for Birtley as they remain in 17th place. The win ensures they are now 7 points clear of the drop zone and 6 points off the top half of the table. Just six points separating Blue Star in 9th place and Birtley in 17th. 

Attendance – 91

Player of the Match – Josh Strassheim

Manager’s Corner

Reece Chapman: “We were very good. I think for the first or second time this season we were able to name an unchanged side, and you could see that the lads had the confidence behind them from the Redcar and Easington games. I thought that throughout the game we won more first and second balls but importantly we had some real quality to our play at times. Our set pieces were much better and there were five or six times where we’ve created good goal scoring chances from moving the ball well linking 8,9,10 passes before getting a strike away. Again, to score three good goals was pleasing and their keeper has made a couple of very big saves including an exceptional double save. Overall, we looked more like ourselves and I think we deserved the win, credit to Northallerton though they kept going and kept us honest so we knew that we needed to go and get the second and third goals.”

H2H v Northallerton

Home record
P9 W4 D0 L5 GF16 GA16 Pts 12

Next up…

Birtley travel to West Auckland on Friday evening with a 7.30pm kick-off. 

Highlights

To follow…