Boro Rangers vs Birtley Town

Recap

Depleted Hoops lose long unbeaten streak on Teesside

Boro Rangers proved too strong for a Birtley side with six of the side that beat Guisborough and drew at Shildon out injured. Despite this it was a gritty display from the Hoops against an impressive Rangers side.

Birtley have a rotten record at Phoenix Park in truth but arrived hoping good form would override this combined with the absentees. However, the hosts immediately looked dangerous right from the off. Goodman was particularly lively for Boro right from the start and in the fourth minute found himself in behind the Birtley back line – a recurring theme over the 90 – and arrowed an effort which was tipped behind by Hoops debutant Ryan Hammer in goal. Just minutes later Goodman had penetrated the lines again, this time cutting the ball back. However the pass was bobbly and the arriving Rangers attacker could only skew horribly high from ten yards out. On the quarter hour mark another ball this time over the top to the striker centrally who appeared to be through on goal. Again though the ball bobbled up horribly and struck the attackers arm with the referee quickly whistling. Considering it’s a 3G two dodgy bounces had been very helpful to the visitors. 23 minutes in and another ball in behind this time on the left where the attacker once again seemed in on goal. This time it was the long strides and good defending from Ban Walker which forced the Rangers man wide where he could only force a corner. Shortly after Rangers midfielder Turner stabbed an effort towards goal from the edge of the area but it was comfortable for Hammer. Between these attacks Birtley were having some spells in possession still but failing to penetrate the lines as effectively as they have in recent weeks. 

On the 29th minute Rangers took a deserved lead when Daniel Atkinson received a pass from the left wing and had too much time 12 yards out as he took a touch and slotted past Hammer to give Boro the lead. Birtley then finally started to create some half chances. First Reece Havelock-Brown managed to test the Rangers keeper Oliver Bailey following a corner. And shortly after Bailey was forced into a decent save down to his right to deny Kyle Wharton who had headed well while backtracking to the back post. Rangers responded though and once again found themselves behind the back line but a brilliant Ryan Hammer save with his feet deflected the strikers shot wide. From the resulting corner the Rangers centre back somehow missed a header from a yard out but a free kick was given Birtley’s way anyway. Just before halftime another cutback by Boro out wide but Joe Hailes just managed to get in brilliantly and block the shot. 

HALF TIME | BORO RANGERS 1-0 BIRTLEY TOWN

Just after the restart what felt like a pivotal moment in the game which could have been a turning point. James Proctor charged down the right with a brilliant driving run and squared it across goal but the arriving Joe Hailes couldn’t reach it by millimetres with an open goal gaping. That felt like a critical moment at the time and so it proved. Boro Rangers continued to find joy in behind and Jack Guy fired wide when well placed on the left side of the area. 

On the hour mark they did manage to double their lead. A corner was recycled on the right wing and Birtley failed to clear their lines before the ball fell to Mackenzie Crooks who rifled it home to the joy of most of the 181-strong crowd. Once again Birtley continued to have spells on the ball with at times some lovely football between the defence and midfield but never really managed to create any real chances. Down the other end Rangers left winger Guy had a chance to finish the game off when clean through only for him to fire wide. 

Five minutes later with the clock on 75’, Boro Rangers did manage to get a third. Ben Turner had too much time when driving towards the edge of the area before unleashing admittedly a brilliant dart into the bottom right. Keeper Hammer once again no chance and had quite a good game on debut despite the score. Birtley still fought and came so close to pulling one back. Matty Ward picked up the ball about 25 yards out and unleashed a brilliant effort which took a slight nick off the defender before crashing into the crossbar. However it was not to be for Birtley who lost on Teeside once again. A deserved win for the hosts who played well and we thank them for their hospitality and wish them well from here on in. 

FULL TIME | BORO RANGERS 3-0 BIRTLEY TOWN

Weather-permitting Birtley are at home on Tuesday in the Brooks Mileson Memorial Cup against Ryton and Crawcrook Albion. Also many thanks to all who came down to the Valentines Race Night on Saturday. 

.

H2H vs BORO RANGERS
P8 W0 D1 L7 GF6 GA26

COMING UP…

On Tuesday night we are finally back at home in the League Cup against Ryton & Crawcrook Albion with a 7:30pm kick off. As always hope to see as many out as possible with the dream of a season ending cup run still possible.