Recap
Birtley Town recorded their fifth consecutive victory and moved nine points clear of the drop zone with a convincing 4-1 victory over West Auckland on Friday evening.
The Hoops went into the game knowing that a win would be a huge moment in their battle for safety. It took just seven minutes to clam any Birtley nerves as Callum Turnbull headed home a Luke Carr cross. The Hoops doubled their lead in the midway point of the 1st half as James Proctor was brought down by Adam Cameron. Proctor picked himself up to slot home the penalty. Alfie Gordon denied James Harrison in West’s best chance of the opening period. Kelvin Thear smashed home the third goal with a breath-taking finish from the edge of the area.
HALF TIME | Birtley Town 3-0 West Auckland
Into the second half and The Hoops looked to extend their lead with Thear, Turnbull, Proctor and Heslop all going close on occasions. Heslop somehow managed to out stage Kelvin Thear with a outstanding 30 yard finish on 60 minutes. Jermaine Metz scored a consolation goal for West as a sublime Birtley performance secured all three points.
FULL TIME | Birtley Town 4-1 West Auckland
Attendance – 112
Player of the Match – Kelvin Thear – Presented by match sponsors LG Family Funeral Services
H2H v West Auckland (Home)
| DATE | HOME | GF | GA | AWAY | COMPETITION | ATT. | GOALSCORERS |
| 25.08.2012 | Birtley Town | 1 | 4 | West Auckland | FA Cup | Preliminary Round | 135 | D. Smart |
| 28.04.2021 | Birtley Town | 1 | 6 | West Auckland | Durham Challenge | Semi Final | BCD | J. Barwick |
| 13.01.2024 | Birtley Town | 5 | 1 | West Auckland | NL Div 1 | 213 | A. Francis (P) | M. Ward | S. Heslop K. Wharton | J. Proctor |
HIGHLIGHTS
To follow…
