Recap
10-MAN BIRTLEY WELL BEATEN ON OPENING DAY
THE HOOPS HAD TO PLAY OVER AN HOUR WITH TEN MEN FOLLOWING SAM HEDLEY’S DISMISSAL WITH THE HOSTS TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE IN A 6-0 WIN ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SEASON.
All four summer signings started with Aaron Jackson and Regan Paterson making their Hoops debuts. Following a minutes silence, the season was kicked off at Gateway Park in front of a crowd of 309. The hosts provided some early pressure with Charlie Aitken making a good intervention to stop a promising break before being fouled. From the free kick a deft touch from Proctor freed Aitken who fired narrowly wide. The Hoops then were having the better of the early stages with long spells of possession in forward areas. However, the hosts struck first against the run of play; Bailey Adamson firing home from close range despite Alfie Gordon getting a hand to it. Birtley continued to show promise as we moved towards the half hour mark, with Aitken and Proctor in particular linking up well down the right. The Hoops were creating opportunities from set-pieces but nothing came from them.
Then after 28 minutes, the defining moment in the match, as skipper Sam Hedley was adjudged to have fouled Adamson on the edge of the penalty area. It didn’t take long for the hosts to profit from the man advantage, a free kick went to the back post and it wasn’t dealt with, and Alfie Marriott prodded home a second. Seconds before half time and two became three. Another set piece that wasn’t dealt with and this time Andy Burn was there to make it three. It was almost four but Gordon pulled off a good stop with the last action of the first period.
HALF TIME: BLYTH TOWN 3-0 BIRTLEY TOWN
Two Hoops changes at the break, with Lewis Exley and Nick Marley replacing Liam Wotherspoon and Regan Paterson. considering the numerical disadvantage, Birtley continued to apply themselves well. Once again Proctor and Aitken were at it down the right, but the shot from Aitken could only find the side netting. On the hour mark, a third change for Birtley as Matty Ward replaced Aaron Jackson. However, not long after the Hoops were caught short at the back and Ben Franklin fired in Blyth’s fourth. Kaleb Young replaced James Proctor for the final twenty. However it wasn’t long before Gordon was picking the ball out the net again, Owen Mitchell scoring from close range. Birtley continued to put in the hard yards but just before the 90 were up, Bailey Adamson scored his second of the day and Blyth’s sixth.
FULL TIME: BLYTH TOWN 6-0 BIRTLEY TOWN
A tough first outing of the season, but despite positive periods even after the dismissal, Hoops will have to pick their heads up quickly as we welcome Crook Town on Tuesday night. 7 of our next 8 games are at home so lots of football to look forward to at the Arrowmark. A reminder to those who travelled to Blyth that you can claim a free drink of your choice on Tuesday and we thank you for your support on the road. We look forward to our home premiere at the Arrowmark on Tuesday.
UP THE HOOPS
