Recap

HOOPS BOUNCE BACK TO BEAT WHITLEY BAY 1-0 AT THE ARROWMARK

A Charlie Aitken goal gives Birtley three points following dominant performance.

Birtley started with much of the ball in forward areas but it took twenty minutes to fashion a proper effort on goal. Nick Marley was played through on goal but off balance could only fire a good chance wide. Minutes later and Marley had another chance following a flicked header from James Proctor but couldn’t get an effort away and Preston Leech in the Bay net could claim. Hoops were all over their visitors for much of the first half and again a ball was played over the top this time for Proctor with the flag staying down but Leech again made a good save to keep the score level. 

However eventually the pressure told and Birtley took the lead. Liam Wotherspoon sprayed an outstanding ball over to Matty Ward who swung in an equally exquisite cross for Charlie Aitken to fire home his first goal of the season. Whitley Bay were up against it for much of the first half and also had to make two changes due to injury before the break. In the lengthy additional time Alfie Gordon was forced into his first proper save in a packed penalty area but Birtley held out to the break. 

Half-Time: Birtley Town 1-0 Whitley  Bay

The visitors did show more in the opening stages of the second period, and Gordon was forced into an excellent fingertip save by substitute Aplin. At the other end, Wharton played an excellent ball over for Marley who shrugged off the defender but on this occasion decided to lay it off after rounding the keeper but a defender got back and cannoned a clearance out of play back off the Birtley man.

Towards the hour mark and Birtley started to return to the dominance they held in the first period. Proctor played Ward in on this occasion but Leech was once again equal to the effort. Seconds later and Proctor whipped an outstanding ball across the face of goal but no-one could get on the end of it. Liam Wotherspoon forced yet another save from the Bay keeper from a free kick 25 yards out. Aitken then fired goalward from Nick Marley’s flick but it just passed the left post. 

Into the last twenty minutes and Birtley had complete dominance with a second goal seeming inevitable. Reece Havelock-Brown whipped a brilliant ball in but Proctor’s header drifted just wide. Then an almighty goalmouth scramble as Leech parried the first effort on goal from close range, the second effort was cleared off the line, and the third dribbled just wide. 

Into the final ten minutes and it still looked like Birtley were the most likely to score. Nick Marley tried a shot over the keeper but it drifted just wide. Hoops continued to have chances especially on the counter while outnumbering the defence. Wotherspoon fired wide from Gettins cross but they couldn’t add a second and 1-0 is how it finished. 

Full-Time: Birtley Town 1-0 Whitley Bay

GOALSCORERS

H2H

Next up…

Birtley host Bishop Auckland on Tuesday with a 7.30pm kick-off. We can now confirm that we will face Whitley Bay in the reverse league fixture on Saturday 22nd August (3pm kick-off).