Recap
The Hoops recorded a fifth straight victory on Saturday with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Redcar Town.
Match highlights can be viewed HERE.
Match photos can be viewed HERE. Additional photos courtesy of Karen Harland can be found HERE
Match programme is available HERE.
Birtley Town continued their excellent form with a convincing and clinical display against Redcar Town. Conor Grant returned to the starting line-up replacing Isaac Robinson in the only change from the side that beat Horden CW in midweek.
Birtley started the better side and were ahead in the 14th minute. A traditional thunderbolt throw-in from Glen Hargave was flicked on by the dominant Callum Turnbull and Aidan Rutledge glanced the ball into the net to score for the 6th game in a row. The Hoops dominated the first half and had further efforts at goal from Rutledge, Smith and Garrity.
In the 27th minute, Hargrave closed the Redcar keeper down, as he tried to usher the ball out for a corner, the Birtley man managed to wrap his foot around the ball, luckily for Coils there was no one there to tap home.
Birtley went into half-time leading 1-0 with the only negative being they had not managed to increase their lead.
The second-half followed a similar pattern to the first. Rutledge had a brilliant chance to score but his lob went narrowly wide. In 53rd minute, Jack Honour stepped up take a penalty after Hargrave had been fouled, however his effort was well saved from Coils. The visitors then had their best spell of the game after the penalty miss with efforts from Clark Reader and Williams.
Callum Smith was starting to cause problems down the left hand side. In the 68th minute he delivered a wonderful cross that was met by a flying Glen Hargrave header, however the referee judged that he had pushed the Redcar full back.
Birtley eventually found that illusive second goal when Joe Barwick gained possession on the edge of the area. He turned the defender and fired underneath Coils to score a massively important goal.
Birtley wrapped up the points with two further goals. Aidan Rutledge released Hargrave down the right hand side in the 78th minute, he went beyond the last defender and slotted home to ensure all three points. Rutledge was again provider when he played a delightful through ball to Callum Smith who slotted into the bottom right-hand corner despite strong claims of an offside to complete an excellent day for The Hoops.
Joint manager Paul Bryson was full of praise for his players “Today was our most complete performance to date. Redcar have started the season well and we knew we were in for a tough game. We started on the front foot and were outstanding both with possession and without the ball. We have produced another clean sheet, Aidan continued his run of form, Joe got off the mark and Glen has scored a brilliant goal that was disallowed. I am pleased he and Smiggs got on the score sheet. Fair play to Aidan who also turned provider. We go into Tuesday’s game full of confidence.”
Next up for The Hoops is a league fixture against Willington with a 7:30pm kick off on Tuesday 23rd August. Gates open at the Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium at 5:30pm.
Attendance – 210
MOTM – Glen Hargrave
