Recap
Birtley crashed out of the Durham Challenge Cup on Tuesday night, at the hands of promotion-chasers Seaham Red Star.
The Hoops got off to a perfect start, with Matty Ward finding the net after only two minutes following a quick break from Malachi Ray-Tharpe.
On 22 minutes, Seaham drew themselves level, with captain Mason Burton heading home unmarked from a corner.
The visitors almost added a second straight away through Matty Weirs, but the bustling Kyle Wharton snuffed out the danger with a superb slide tackle.
Sean Comstock had an opportunity to restore Birtley’s lead before half-time when Red Star keeper Shaun Newbrook parried the ball into his path, but it wasn’t to be and the sides headed into the break all square.
HALF TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 1-1 SEAHAM RED STAR
Paul Foster introduced more attacking experience in the second half, with Liam Thear and Nick Marley replacing Ray-Tharpe and Comstock respectively.
Seaham looked the more likely to score in the early stages of the half, with Matthew Appleby and former Birtley man Dan Wilds each coming close to extending their side’s lead.
Birtley had a couple of chances of their own after the hour mark. Marley heading a James Proctor corner just wide, and the lively Ward bursting into the box before being blocked by a defender.
The visitors then began to turn the screw, and Cameron McHarg put them in front on 82 minutes from a free-kick. Thear then came close to equalising with a rocket of a shot that looked to be flying into the top corner, but went agonisingly wide.
As the game entered added time, Appleby again broke through and – ignoring calls to run down the clock – instead found Lewis Rutherford at the far post to nod it home and put the tie to bed.
FULL TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 1-3 SEAHAM RED STAR
It was a disappointing evening for Birtley, who would’ve been most people’s favourites due to their higher league placing. Seaham were good value for their win, and their performance bodes well for their hopes of returning to Division One at the first time of asking. We wish them all the best in the next round.
