Recap
ADDED TIME ARMIN EQUALISER BRINGS LEAGUE SEASON TO A CLOSE WITH A POINT
BIRTLEY ENDED THE SEASON IN TENTH PLACE AFTER A 1-1 DRAW AGAINST WHITLEY BAY ON A BRILLIANT SPONSORS DAY AT THE ARROWMARK
On a glorious day in beautiful sunshine, Birtley hosted our annual sponsors day for the final game of the league season. A strong crowd of 238 flocked to the Arrowmark hoping to see the Hoops continue the strong form which has seen them end the season in fine form – with the third best league form in 2026 – and has also led them to a cup semi-final (more on that later).
Birtley kicked off and started strong with Gettins whipping a free kick just past the far post. The visitors – already guaranteed third place and a home play off – responded with Ryan Hammer forced into an outstanding one-on-one save to deny the Whitley Bay striker who had been slid in by Banda. The flag did eventually rise so the Hoops would have survived anyhow. Then a slight hesitation in the Birtley back line led to Hedley having to get back expertly to deny an effort on goal. After a quarter of an hour, the Hoops thought they had a penalty from a handball from a Kaleb Young cross but the ref waved it away. The resulting corner flew right across the face of goal with no one from either side getting a decisive touch. Harry Gettins then found himself in on goal but being forced wider could only force a tame effort for the keeper to easily gather.
The Hoops were building pressure at the halfway point of the first half with a feeling as if it was only a matter of time until they broke the deadlock. An Owen Lancaster long throw was flicked on by Nick Marley and it fell for Matty Ward who beat the keeper but Jack Errington cleared brilliantly off the line. From a corner Charlie Armin then rose highest but could only divert his header wide. Nick Marley then recieved the ball just outside the area but could only fire over.
The game then died down a bit as we headed towards half time. Marley was left baffled as he was penalised for being pushed into the Whitley Bay goalkeeper. Then a second and even louder appeals for a handball but once again the referee waved away appeals. That took us to half time, with Birtley edging the general play but Whitley Bay showing quality at times on the counter.
HALF TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 0-0 WHITLEY BAY
The second half started in chaotic fashion as within a minute of the restart, Reece Harrison was felled while getting a shot off and the Hoops had a penalty. Joe Hailes, who scored a penalty in the mid-week cup win, could not convert this time as youngster Aaron Foster made a good save down to his right. The game once again died down with both teams surely aware that with nothing on the line for this match, and both teams involved in semi-finals over the next week an element of self preservation for those games was a must.
With twenty minutes to go Nick Marley was booked for a clash with Kieran Aplin that the Whitley Bay players were convinced he should have seen red for. Three minutes later and the visitors found the opener with a well taken strike into the bottom corner after Birtley failed to clear a corner. Mackenzie Sharpe with his twenty-fifth of the season. It was then Birtley’s turn to be left apoplectic with the referee after the Whitley Bay centre half had passed the ball back to his keeper who picked it up but no pass-back was awarded.
Sharpe then had a chance to add number 26 off the season but dragged his effort wide. And then with a minute to go the Bay striker had another chance to finish the game off but Ryan Hammer denied him excellently. The ball fell for Larmouth who blasted the rebound over the bar.
The Hoops then piled forward in three minutes of added time to send the strong crowd home happy. They forced a couple set plays and eventually a corner. it was swung all the way to the back post where Charlie Armin headed down and Foster in the Bay net could not sort his feet out to deny him. Cue great celebrations at the Arrowmark to finish off the league season… or so they thought. In the minimal time remaining Whitley Bay countered and when the initial effort was blocked the rebound fell to the Bay striker who seemingly had an empty net to tap home into. Across came a flying Ryan Hammer to make an unbelievable save and preserve a point for the Hoops.
FULL TIME | BIRTLEY TOWN 1-1 WHITLEY BAY
A chaotic and thrilling conclusion to what has been a season with many highlights and hopefully more to come with the cup. An enormous thank you to all who came down and supported our Sponsors Day with a very strong turnout who stayed long into the evening. Also big thanks to the brilliant Anthony Morris who provided amazing entertainment after the game.
As mentioned our season is not finished with a historical occasion next week as the Hoops are in their first ever Step 5 cup semi final. We will host either Newcastle Blue Star or Newcastle University on this Saturday 25th April at the Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium. Spread the word and make sure to bring all your friends and family down for this enormous occasion for the club. More details on tickets and kick off times are to be confirmed this week so keep an eye out on socials.
A huge thank you for all the support this league season and we will see you all on Saturday.
UP THE HOOPS
