Birtley Town vs Redcar Athletic

Recap

Goals from Scott Heslop and Stephen Hall secured a vital victory for Birtley against Redcar Athletic in their hunt for the play-offs. 

Birtley took a huge step towards a top five finish on Tuesday evening when they defeated Redcar Athletic. Owen Lancaster returned to the starting eleven after missing the defeat to Shildon. The opening exchanges were a cagey affair with the first real opportunity coming in the 9th minute. Jack Blackford produced some skilful play down the left but Alfie Gordon was able to quickly deny the tricky Redcar winger. At the other end, Matty Ward produced the first opportunity for the hosts but his effort was well saved by Callum Roberts. Shortly after, The Hoops appealed for a penalty as James Proctor was pulled back but the referee correctly awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area.  The set-piece came to nothing before a series of injuries caused the game to pause. Alfie Gordon sustaining a nasty cut and Owen Lancaster went in goal for Birtley and he was quickly called upon to deny Jack Blackford from close range. Local lad Mark Anderson was substituted and replaced by ex-Birtley player Jack Simpson. Seven minutes injury-time followed but neither side could break the deadlock in the first half. 

Half-Time | Birtley Town 0 – 0 Redcar Athletic

Birtley thought they had taken an early lead when Matty Hall was through on goal after a Redcar defensive mistake. Hall fired his effort low but was denied by an outstretched left leg from Callum Roberts. Redcar were causing their own problems through Blackford and 61 minutes Birtley had to frantically clear a very dangerous cross from the Redcar winger. The deadlock was finally broken in the 62nd minute. James Proctor was able to win possession following a long ball forward, he found Liam Wotherspoon who was able to pick Scott Heslop out. Around 25 yards out, Heslop curled a sublime effort into the top-right hand corner. Shortly after, Ward fired down the throat of Redcar keeper Roberts before Proc was denied by a brilliant save. Birtley were looking for the elusive second goal but Redcar still looked dangerous through Curtis Round and Blackford. 

With 85 minutes on the clock, Stephen Hall latched onto a long ball. Hally managed to round the Redcar goalkeeper before cutting back inside and coolly finishing into the net. The second goal secured all three points for Birtley and wildly celebrated from the players. There was still time for Glen Hargrave to crash a fantastic effort off the crossbar in the dying stages.

Half-Time | Birtley Town 2 – 0 Redcar Athletic

The result was Birtley’s first ever home victory over Redcar Athletic. Scott Heslop’s 62nd minute wonder strike was the first time a Birtley player had scored against Redcar on home turf. 

Player of the Match – Scott Heslop

Attendance – 184

H2H v Redcar Athletic (at home)
P2 W0 D0 L2 GF0 GA4

Manager’s Corner

Paul Bryson: “We knew going into the game that it was an important fixture. I thought both in and out of possession we were excellent. Out of possession we were very well organised and hard to breakdown. In possession in the first-half we lacked that final pass. We said at half-time if we could improve on that then we would go on to win the game. We started the game well against a side who have quality players. It’s been difficult for Carl at Redcar taking over a side midway through the season. I will be amazed if they aren’t right at the top of the division next season. We had spells when we kept possession really well but Redcar looked dangerous throughout especially Jack Blackford in the wide area. We had a couple chances in the first period and Wardy had a good opportunity. The message at half-time was we needed to tidy up on the final pass and we would be able to create chances. 

“We started the second half really well. Wardy had a brilliant opportunity to score after some excellent pressing from Hezzy and Wardy. Wardy was through on goal but it’s a great save from the keeper, we probably should score. Scott Heslop scored a brilliant goal after excellent work from Liam Wotherspoon and James Proctor. I thought Proc was great on Tuesday and he had a brilliant opportunity to extend the lead. At 1-0 it is always nervous. We needed the second goal to help kill the game off. We had a few nervy moments but the second goal was key. Hally scored with a couple of minutes to go and it was a huge win for us. 

“Alfie has picked up a nasty injury and Owen played in goal for over an hour, he was terrific. It was a really good team performance. Alex Francis was outstanding, a captain’s performance. Spoony, Proc and Hezzy were all fantastic. I am delighted with the win and we look forward to Saturday. We need to take a lot from this win and take it into Saturday. It was a huge performance and I am proud of the lads tonight”

Next up

Birtley face high flying Shildon on Saturday in a 3pm kick-off. A win for the Hoops would just about guarantee a play-off position. 

Highlights