Birtley Town vs Tow Law Town

Recap

Birtley beat Tow Law Town 8-1 again after hitting The Lawyers for eight in the Durham Challenge Cup back in October. 

A hat-trick from Scott Heslop alongside goals from Owen Lancaster, Matty Ward, Stephen Hall, Sam Hedley and a first in green and white for recent signing Taylor Richardson sealed the three points for The Hoops to maintain our push for a play-off place.

Birtley took just five minutes to create their first big chance of the game. Glen Hargrave raced through on goal but his tame effort was saved by James Rutherford. He was to turn provider four minutes later when his cross was brought down superbly by Scott Heslop who calmly open the scoring from around six yards out. The Birtley front man then doubled our lead on 19 minutes. Lewis Exley delivered a brilliant cross and Heslop rose above everyone else to power home an outstanding header. 

Owen Lancaster smashed home Birtley’s third of the afternoon after a weak punch out from The Lawyers’ goalkeeper. At the other end, Tow Law created their first real opportunity on 35 minutes but Alfie Gordon was quickly off his line to thwart the attack. On the stroke of half-time, Matty Ward grabbed Birtley’s fourth of the game finishing a lovely move with a brilliant strike from the edge of the area. 

HALF TIME | Birtley Town 4-0 Tow Law Town

Tow Law stated the second period in brighter fashion and pulled one back on 52 minutes, Jérémie Anderson Da Costa sliding the ball underneath Alfie Gordon. Birtley restored their four goal advantage just three minutes later when Scott Heslop completed his hat-trick. Taylor Richardson opened his account for the club when scoring our sixth of the afternoon. Richardson’s clever run allowed him through on goal and he calmly took the ball around Rutherford before slotting into an empty net. 

Substitute Stephen Hall was brought down by Rutherford after breaking Tow Law’s offside trap and he stepped up to take the resulting spot kick himself, placing his effort straight down the middle to score our seventh of the afternoon. The rout was completed in the closing moments when Sam Hedley finished off at the back post following Owen Lancaster’s flick on. 

FULL TIME | Birtley Town 8-1 Tow Law Town

Attendance – 228

Player of the Match – Scott Heslop

Manager’s Corner

Paul Bryson: “We went into the game without Spoony and Dan Wilds so Callum Turnbull returned to the starting eleven bringing Lewis Exley back in. We asked the lads to put in a professional performance. We wanted to start the game well as we knew if we started well it would potentially knock the enthusiasm from Tow Law. They had a number of ex-Birtley players in the squad so we were wary that they would be right up for the game. We started really well with Hezzy scoring two brilliant goals. The first one is a great take and finish, the second a fantastic header after a brilliant delivery from Lewis Exley. Owen got onto the scoresheet and Wardy followed that up with the fourth.”

“We asked for the lads to deliver much of the same in the second-half. We knew it was a brilliant opportunity for everyone to get good minutes which is vital for the upcoming run-in. We conceded a sloppy goal but responded quickly. We were pleased to go and score another four goals. I was really pleased with the lads who came on. Hally got a goal alongside Taylor too. It was a good three points.”

“Our volunteers did an amazing job to get the game on, the pitch was really difficult. The top half especially with where we have trouble with the drainage. There was a good crowd in and we scored a few goals. We look forward to Tuesday, hopefully the weather is kind to us.”

H2H vs Tow Law Town (at Birtley)
P10 W4 D1 L5 GF24 GA14

Next up…
Birtley host Redcar Athletic on Tuesday evening with a 7.30pm kick-off. 

Highlights