Birtley Town vs Thornaby

Recap

Birtley Town fell to a 2-1 defeat on the opening day of the season as newly promoted Thornaby took all three points. 

It was a game of two halves at The Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium as Thornaby turned around a one goal deficit to take home an opening day victory. Decklan Greenwood, Joe Hailes and Dale Burrell all made their debuts as Birtley started the better of the two sides. Jake Stafford played a delightful through ball to James Proctor and his curling lob went just wide of the post with the goalkeeper stranded. Birtley dominated the opening exchanges but it was only really the one chance that had fallen to Proctor. Dale Millburn had Thornaby’s first real opportunity on 30 minutes as Greenwood denied him, his clearance fell to Shaun Ryder but he wasn’t able to hit the target from around 30 yards with the goal at his mercy. Thornaby were really coming into the game with Greenwood producing a brilliant save to push Ryder’s effort against the upright. 

Sam Dinsley managed to just squeeze a last ditch tackle in to deny Millburn as Thornaby were threatening. The deadlock was finally broken when Matty Ward swivelled and unleashed a brilliant drive into the bottom corner, a trademark effort from the Birtley attacker. The goal came on 36 minutes as The Hoops entered the break with a one goal lead. 

HALF TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 1-0 THORNABY

Scott Heslop’s header in the opening stages was the first opportunity of the 2nd half as he met James Proctor’s cross but was unable to keep his effort down. Thornaby were awarded a penalty on 54 minutes as Decklan Greenwood was judged to have brought down Niall Short, the Birtley keeper clearly annoyed by Short’s decision to go to ground. Ryan Wright stepped up to level from the spot. Greenwood denied Dale Millburn with a brilliant save from point blank range. Thornaby should have been ahead on 65 minutes as they were offered a goal opportunity but were unable to take advantage. Ethan Bewley came off the bench to make his debut for The Hoops and he was straight into the action with a neat through ball to Ward. 

Birtley were reduced to ten men on 74 minutes as Sam Dinsley was given a yellow card for dissent which ultimately resulted in a sin bin. As the game looked to be heading towards a stalemate, Dale Millburn popped up to score from a rebound and give the visitors all three points. 

FULL TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 1-2 THORNABY

Player of the Match – Decklan Greenwood (chosen by matchday sponsor Craig Marron – CTM Cleaning Services)

Attendance – 208

H2H v Thornaby (at Birtley Town)
P13 W7 D2 L4 GF30 GA22

Next up…

Birtley travel to Penrith on Tuesday evening for a 7.45pm kick-off. Supporters are able to book a seat on the bus by contacting Scott Brown or Paul Beat. The bus will leave at 5.15pm from The Wheatsheaf pub with seats costing £15 per head.