Birtley Town vs Whickham

Recap

Birtley Town produced one of their best displays so far this season to beat Whickham 2-0 on Friday night. 

Match day programme can be viewed HERE

The Hoops were at their very best to produce a brilliant local derby win over The Lang Jacks. Goals from Alex Francis and Liam Wotherspoon sealed the win for Birtley in front of a packed out crowd of 434 – our highest of the season so far. Captain Alex Francis returned to the side after missing the last two weeks with a calf injury while Matthew Ward made his first league start of the season. 

The game was a tight affair with both Scott Robson and Scott Heslop having early chances for both sides. Alfie Gordon denied Harry Yoxall after 8 minutes whilst at the other end Lewis Orrell’s effort was saved by Aaron Steavens. It was an even contest in the first period with neither side either to break the deadlock, Lewis Orrell again denied by Stevens on the stroke of half time. 

HALF TIME | Birtley Town 0 – 0 Whickham AFC

Birtley started the second half stronger with Owen Lancaster delivering a menacing ball into the area after just two minutes, the cross somehow eluded everyone but gave the hosts momentum to build on. Matthew Ward was starting to find space down on the right wing as Birtley looked particularly threatening on the counter attack. At the other end Callum Turnbull and Alex Francis were both playing superbly to keep the prolific Scott Robson quiet. 

The deadlock was broken on 65 minutes. Kyle Wharton released Matthew Ward who carried the ball into the Whickham area, he checked back and rolled it to Liam Wotherspoon on the edge of the area. From 18 yards out, Spoony delightfully passed the ball into the bottom right hand corner leaving the Whickham keeper stranded. The goal was met with an eruption from the 434 in attendance with Spoony wheeling away to celebrate in front of Wadgey’s Bar. 

Birtley should have extended their lead when Jack Robson was left unmarked from 12 yards out but his tame effort was saved by the excellent Aaron Stevens. Stephen Hall had a further opportunity to score but he dragged his effort wide before Birtley finally got the important 2nd goal. Hally was brought down in the area and Alex Francis stepped up to bury home the penalty, much to the delight of the youthful Birtley section behind the goal.

FULL TIME | Birtley Town 2 – 0 Whickham AFC

Manager’s Corner

Paul Bryson: “We were delighted with the performance and the result. We had been on a decent run going into the game. We had some difficult decisions to make regarding the starting eleven and the squad. We picked the side that we thought would be the correct side to get a good result against Whickham. I thought the first half was quite even but Whickham started the better side. They had a good early chance which fizzed across the goal. We had our own chances through Lewis Orrell. It was a really competitive first division fixture, I am sure the fans would have enjoyed it and the neutrals who were in attendance. 

“The second half we were very good. We were on the front foot and with a little better finishing we might have had more. The first goal Wardy did really well and Spoony’s finish was excellent. We had one or two chances to extend the lead before Alex wrapped it up. I thought it was our best performance of the season, especially out of possession. They are a top side and we made it really difficult for them to open us up. In possession, we created chances and the formation worked. We went on to win which we are delighted about. 

“I want to thank the supporters as they came in their numbers, it was a brilliant night for the club. That’s the main thing, when the supporters turn up and you put a performance on then they all go home happy and it gives us real pride. The club is a really good place to be at the moment , everyone is enjoying it and the players have been fantastic. That win is for our fantastic group of volunteers, all the work that they do behind the scenes. Myself and Foss can’t thank those people enough. We will enjoy the weekend before we look forward to Boro Rangers next Saturday.”

H2H v Whickham (at Birtley)
P8 W4 D1 L3 GF20 GA15

Next up…

Birtley travel to Boro Rangers next Saturday. It will be The Hoops first ever trip to their newly opened Phoenix Park. 

Highlights