Easington Colliery vs Birtley Town

Recap

Birtley Town secured a vital 2-0 victory over Easington Colliery in a fierce encounter on a sunny Saturday afternoon. 

Goals from Scott Heslop and Jack Stafford secured a crucial three points on a day when fellow strugglers Whickham AFC and West Allotment were both beaten. The Hoops welcomed back Nick Marley, Luke Carr and Jake Stafford to the starting line-up. The first chance of the match came after just five minutes. Nick Marley and Scott Heslop combined but James Proctor blazed over from close range. The game flared up in the 12th minute. Scott Heslop was given a yellow card for a forearm to the face of Dane Eltringham, with Eltringham also receiving a yellow card for his part in the melee. The referee ordering Heslop for a ten minute sin bin, much the bemusement of many in attendance. Easington took a direct shot from the restart but the 45 yard effort went wide. Birtley remained comfortable during their ten minute period with a man less. 

James Proctor jinked his way through the Seaham back line on 26 minutes and found Heslop but Easington keeper Keaton Marrs produced a superb double save. Nick Marley received his tenth yellow card of the season on 31 minute as he flattened an Easington defender in the corner of the pitch, Marley is now facing a two match suspension. Easington had their best spell of the game on the half-hour mark. Luke Pearn had the ball in the net but the winger had fouled Owen Lancaster in the build-up. Easington’s best chance of the game came on 37 minutes but Owen Lancaster produced an outstanding goal-line clearance to keep Pearn and the scores at bay. With the hosts having felt that Scott Heslop should have seen a red card in the opening stages, it was the Birtley bench who were left annoyed Nick Marley was tackled when through on goal but the referee awarded a free-kick to Easington. Reece Keeney was sin binned for dissent just a minute later as Easington were to play the remainder of the first period with 10 men. 

Birtley were able to take full advantage as Kaleb Young’s cross found Scott Heslop at the back post. Heslop steadied himself before smashing the ball into the roof of the net, much to the delight of the Birtley number nine and the dismay of the Easington faithful. After 51 first-half minutes, the referee finally brought a frantic first period to a close.

HALF TIME | Easington Colliery 0-1 Birtley Town

Early in the second period, James Proctor intercepted a loose ball just outside of the Birtley box and carried the ball over 80 yards towards the Easington area. Proctor squared to Scott Heslop who laid off Jake Stafford. Stafford smashed the ball into the top corner to register his first goal for the club and much to the delight of a sizeable Birtley support. With both Scott Heslop and Nick Marley walking on tight ropes with a yellow card each, Matthew Ward was introduced with Marley making way. In typical fashion, just moments later it was Heslop who was sent for an early bath, the Birtley striker adjudged to have kicked Eltringham on the floor and he received a second yellow card. In fairness, it seemed to only be a matter of time before someone was given their marching orders and Heslop was top of the Easington supporters wish list. 

A series of substitutions took place as both sides reacted to Birtley being reduced to ten men. Birtley responded well and Alfie Gordon collected consecutive set pieces to help relieve pressure on the Birtley backline. The third and final sinbin of the game took place on 79 minutes as Kyle Wharton was booked for dissent. Birtley reverted to a 4-4-0 formation as they looked to keep Easington at bay. Reece Keeney saw his effort go narrowly wide on 87 minutes as Easington probed for a way back into the game. The Birtley lads stood tall as they reduced Easington to very few chances and produced a monumental effort. Callum Turnbull epitomising the display with a brilliant tackle in the dying moments as the referee brought the game to an end.

FULL TIME | Easington Colliery 0-2 Birtley Town

An outstanding shift from everyone in Birtley colours as management and players paid their appreciation to a sizeable Birtley support who had supported their team throughout. 

Player of the Match – James Proctor

Attendance – 130 including around 45 travelling Birtley supporters. 

H2H vs Easington Colliery (at Welfare Park)
P5 W3 D0 L2 GF11 GA10 Pts 9/15

Next up…

The Hoops host Thornaby on Tuesday evening in the 3rd round of Northern League cup. Kick-off is at 7.30pm

Highlights

To follow…