Crook Town vs Birtley Town

Recap

First of two games in three days as Hoops travel to Crook hoping to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat

Birtley will hope to pick up their first away win of 2026 after losing 4-2 away in Cumbria at the weekend despite a much better performance than the 3-0 defeat to Boro Rangers on Valentine’s Day. 

Our hosts on Wednesday night are Crook Town who themselves are looking for their first home win of the year having lost to Newcastle Benfield and Whitley Bay either side of a draw against Kendal. At the weekend they took a point away from a 0-0 draw at Marske United and are on a run of one win in six as they look to stay clear of the relegation fight below them. Only two players have scored for Crook since the turn of the year with Ashton Houlahan (five goals) and Charlie Bunton (three goals) the only ones to have found the back of the net. 

In the reverse fixture, it was the Hoops who came out on top with a Nick Marley hattrick central to a 4-2 victory. (Wolte)Marley had given the Hoops an early lead before a Lewis Rutherford brace gave the away side the advantage going into the break. But two more goals from Marley turned the game around once again to give Birtley the lead and Matty Ward added a fourth in additional time to seal an important win which kick started a run of five straight victories. 

Birtley have continued the form they ended 2026 in at home but have found it more challenging on the road. Three home games have yielded three wins of different nature but equal importance. First, the Hoops toppled then league leaders Guisborough to start the year before an efficient performance against Ryton & Crawcrook Albion sent Birtley through to Round Three of the league cup. And finally 10 days ago, a youthful West Allotment Celtic side were put to the sword in a 9-0 hammering at the Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium.

On the road however there have been more difficulties despite following the Guisborough win with a brilliant performance on the road to hold current table toppers Shildon to a 4-4 draw in a thriller at their new Dean Street. However, there have since been defeats to Boro Rangers and Kendal Town away from home which Birtley will hope to put right on Wednesday. 

After the Crook game, we are back at home for our first Friday night fixture at the Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium of the year with West Auckland Town the visitors. We hope to see you there and for our three other home games this month including Newcastle Benfield and Easington.

H2H vs CROOK TOWN (at Crook)
P10 W2 D1 L7 GF14 GA30

Goalscorers

Match Information

Match admissions is £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and £2 for under 16’s. 

Address for Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground is West Road, Crook, County Durham, DL15 9PW.