Recap
A brilliant late goal from Scott Heslop recued a point for Birtley as they drew 1-1 with Whitley Bay on Tuesday evening.
Birtley welcomed Whitley Bay to The Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium for their penultimate game of the season where Scott Heslop’s late effort ruled out a sublime opener from Callum Larmouth.
The first chance of the game came to Nick Marley after neat work from Scott Heslop and Luke Carr, Marley unable to find the target. Whitley Bay grew into the first-half and Alfie Gordon was on-hand to superbly deny Callum Larmouth after he had beaten a couple of Hoops defenders. Mechack Kanda was again denied by Gordon before Josh Stewart struck the crossbar from the resulting corner. The woodwork then saved Whitley Bay as Heslop fired an unbelievable effort against the crossbar from a free-kick.
The game became a scrappy affair with both sides picking up bookings. In fairness the first half looked to be fizzling out with both sides sitting comfortable in the middle of the table. In the last moments of the half, Mackenzie Sharp saw his spectacular overhead kick go narrowly wide.
HALF TIME | Birtley Town 0-0 Whitley Bay
The game turned after just four minutes of the second half. Nick Marley was bizarrely sent-off for violent conduct despite replays showing there was little to nothing in the incident. Owen Lancaster was substituted soon after following a strong challenge that resulted in the Birtley defender hobbling off. A hospital visit later confirming a broken foot for the Birtley defender.
Whitley sensibly replaced Lowery and Williams who were both walking a tight rope with yellow cards. The Hoops were more than holding their own with 10 men and when James Proctor fizzed a low cross in-front of the goal, Scott Heslop was clearly annoyed with himself for not being on the end of it. Heslop blazed the best chance of the half over the bar from a James Proctor corner.
On 79 minutes, Whitley Bay were awarded a free-kick and the Bay played the ball from the left-hand side across to the right. Callum Larmouth who had originally took the free-kick drifted into the centre of the field and received the ball back. His first touch set him up for an audacious 30 yard half-volley which flew into the top-corner, a clear contender for any goal of the season award, the effort leaving Alfie Gordon with absolutely no chance.
Birtley equalised just seven minutes later as Scott Heslop delivered his own brilliant strike to pull The Hoops level. He struck his effort first-time from around 25 yards out and the ball nestled into the bottom right-hand corner.
Both sides pushed for a winner as both Callum Turnbull and Scott Heslop were denied by brilliant defending from The Bay. It was Whitley who came closest to snatching victory though with Sharpe and Paterson combining only for Gordon to pull off yet another tremendous save, pushing a fierce shot round the post.
FULL TIME | Birtley Town 1-1 Whitley Bay
Man of the Match – Scott Heslop (chosen by match sponsors Star Pelaw)
Attendance – 142
Overall H2H vs Whitley Bay
P4 W2 D0 L2 GF11 GA14
H2H vs Whitley Bay (at Birtley)
P1 W1 D0 L0 GF5 GA1
| DATE | HOME | F | A | AWAY | COMPETITION | ATT. | GOALSCORERS |
| 23.03.2024 | Birtley Town | 5 | 1 | Whitley Bay | NL Div 1 | 406 | J. Proctor | M. Ward x2 S. Hedley | L. Wotherspoon |
Next up…
Birtley head to Shildon on Saturday and kick-off at Dean Street is 3pm. The Hoops will then finish their league campaign with a home game against Seaham Red Star on Saturday 19th April.
