Recap

HOOPS DEFEATED IN INJURY-TIME TURN AROUND

Birtley conceded twice in injury time to fall to a 3-2 defeat at home in their first ever meeting with newly promoted Yarm & Eaglescliffe.

There were two changes from the midweek win with Charlie Armin replacing the suspended Sam Hedley, and Matty Ward coming in for Liam Wotherspoon. Birtley kicked off towards the Komatsu End and much like the first two games, started on the front foot. Unlike the previous two games however, today those early efforts were rewarded with a goal. Matty Ward’s effort was deflected and last season’s top scorer James Proctor was on hand to poke home. 

The Hoops continued the early pressure and Proctor came close to a second, jinking his way left and right of the defender but his effort went just wide. Another huge chance moments later, with Ward played in by a superb through ball, and with the keeper off his line, opted not to dink and rounded Y&E’s number 1 but his effort could only hit the outside of the post. The visitors then responded with some attacking play of their own after a quarter of an hour, with an excellent free kick whipped in which only needed a touch of any sort, but nobody was on the end of it and it drifted out for a goal kick. Moments later Harry Stewart-Titchiner brought a good punch away from Alfie Gordon in the Birtley net. 

Following an electric start the game started to settle before a moment of great controversy. Proctor’s pass found Wardy whose shot was deflected out for a corner. The ball was whipped in and Burrell headed home only to see the linesman’s flag raised reportedly for offside which left both sides entirely baffled. After 30 minutes, Joshua Marshall was booked for a late challenge on Proctor. 

37 minutes on the clock and after a period of few chances, the visitors found an equaliser. An excellent through ball was played through and Steven Roberts poked past Gordon to score his second in as many games. However, it took only three minutes to respond. Another corner and this time it was Dale Burrell who buried his back post header. No offside on this occasion and Birtley had regained the lead. Just before half time Charlie Armin was shown a yellow card for a foul on the edge of the area after which Gordon had to tip round his post.

Half-Time: Birtley Town 2-1 Yarm & Eaglescliffe

In a less chaotic beginning that the first half, it took ten minutes for the first proper chance but Jor Dalton could only fire over from close range. Then the game settled in to a pattern of few chances with some stoppages with Ethan Jones having to go off for the visitors after receiving treatment – we hope his injury isn’t too serious – and midway through the half Joe Hailes replaced Charlie Aitken for Birtley. 

The closer the game got to the end, the more pressure the visitors were building up in hope of finding an equaliser. Regan Paterson was booked with fifteen to go and shortly after it took a brilliant close range save from Alfie Gordon to deny Atkinson. Birtley countered and Proctor was again brought down leading to a booking for Charlie Fixter. With five minutes to go Kaleb Young replaced Paterson for Birtley and then almost instantly had to go off again to be replaced by Reece Havelock-Brown. Two minutes to go and Lewis Exley replaced Dale Burrell. Pressure had continued to build throughout all the stoppages, and eventually they found their equaliser, Kristos Cofinas scoring two minutes into injury time. And then four minutes into injury time the unthinkable happened as Thomas Atkinson fired home to score a last second winner in a remarkable turnaround.

Full-Time: Birtley Town 2-3 Yarm & Eaglescliffe

A tough defeat for the Hoops. Well done to our visitors and we hope their supporters enjoyed their first ever trip to the Arrowmark. We wish them all the best and look forward to the return fixture.

As for Birtley it is now FA Cup time as we host Bishop Auckland next week in the Extra Preliminary Round. We thank the 206 who came down today and look forward to seeing you all and more next week!

UP THE HOOPS