Recap

DERBY DELIRIUM AS HOOPS LEAVE IT LATE TO BEAT RIVALS

A BURRELL BUNDLE AND A WARDY WORLDY GAVE BIRTLEY A LATE WIN IN THE DERBY AGAINST 10-MAN WHICKHAM IN FRONT OF BUMPER CROWD. 

The game kicked off in front of a brilliant crowd with big numbers from both sides. Birtley started well and looked to be three on three before the linesman’s flag denied a promising counter. Liam Thear, returning to the starting line up for the secind time since injury, slid in Proctor who arrowed the ball across the face of goal but there was no one there to tap home. Then almost exactly the same occured seconds later, Thear playing Proctor a tad narrower this time, but again there wasn’t anyone in green and white hoops to score. The Hoops continued to pressure and another cross from the left was blocked when Birtley this time did have men in the area. 

All the action was happening around the Whickham box but the Hoops failed to create any clear cut chances. James Proctor – back from suspension – swung a cross in which was cleared to the edge of the box where it was fired wide. Then more combination play, this time Ward slid in Thear on the overlap but his strike was wide of the post when well placed. 

Then a crucial moment, as Birtley’s Kyle Wharton was fouled from behind by Cunningham of Whickham which led to him being booked. Cunningham was then promptly shown a second yellow and a red, we believe for something he said to the referee. Birtley’s Wharton and Harrison were also booked in this. The visitors managed to hold on to half time but would be a man down for the second half. 

HALF TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 0-0 WHICKHAM

The second half was relatively quiet to begin with despite the chaotic ending to the first period. One substitution a piece stuttered play with Wharton being replaced by Kaleb Young for Birtley. A first real chance for the visitors came on the hour mark, with Bailey Adamson putting a well placed free kick over the bar. 

The Hoops saw that as a wake up call and started to click into gear. Substitute Harry Gettins – who had replaced Reece Harrison at half time – found space down the right and put in an inviting cross but his fellow substitute Young headed just wide. At this Birtley were very much trying to force a winner and those who had witnessed back to back goalless draws in the last seven days began to worry of an unfortunate hattrick. The Hoops were forcing corners and set pieces were looking dangerous but they still could break through. 

Well into the last ten minutes and more Hoops corners. Then with five minutes to go, the ball was worked down the right and cut back for Dale Burrell to force home to cue wild celebrations for the vast majority of the 431-strong crowd and those in green and white on the pitch. Relief perhaps more than celebrations as the Hoops scored for the first time since Owen Lancaster’s goal at Blue Star, almost five hours of football ago. 

And like London Busses, after a long, long wait for a goal, another came very quickly afterwards. If the first goal followed some lovely team play, this was a moment of individual quality. Matty Ward received the ball and turned and released a 30-ish-yard bullet into the top right corner. Our Veo camera was directly behind it so be sure to look out for it on socials this week. Matty Pattinson will be worrying that he may no longer have goal of the season in the bag for his effort against West Allotment. Once again more wild celebrations were in order and justifiably so. 

FULL TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 2-0 WHICKHAM

A brilliant ending to a brilliant day. Many thanks once again to everyone who came down to the Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium. It made for a brilliant crowd and a great atmosphere. We hope to see all of you again on Tuesday night for our belter of a cup tie against Newcastle Benfield. 

UP THE HOOPS

Attendance – 431 – A season high for The Hoops. 

H2H vs WHICKHAM
P10 W5 D1 L4 GF22 GA16

Goalscorers

Next up…

Birtley host Newcastle Benfield in the last 16 of the League Cup on Tuesday. The Hoops will be hoping for huge support for a vital cup tie.