Recap
Birtley once again fight back to capture a point at Jarrow, however its a similar feeling for the Hoops.
Match highlights can be accessed here.
Birtley Town FC fought back from two goals down to share spoils on a beautiful evening in South Tyneside. An Aidan Rutledge double did enough to get the hoops back on level terms after they had fallen to a two goal deficit.
The hoops made two alterations to the side that drew 1-1 away at Brandon United on Saturday. Ross Preston came in for the injured Ryan Keltie and Tom Scothern replaced Jack Honour in midfield.
Birtley started the better of the two sides but it wasn’t until the middle of the first half when the first real goalmouth action took place. Callum Smith picked up a clearance and his ball to the far post came back off the angle of the crossbar before a Rutledge effort was well saved on the rebound. Jarrow then had their first real chance when Conor Grant called into action to deny Stephen Wilkinson. At the other end Callum Turnbull had a strong effort deflected straight into the keeper’s hands. The game went in all square at the break.
Jarrow made a change at half time and the deadlock was broken in the 51st minute. Birtley had two great opportunities to score from Hargrave and Lancaster but within 30 seconds the hosts had countered attacked and won a dubious penalty. Channon North stepped up to put his side ahead. The lead was doubled on the 64th minute when Stephen Wilkinson chipped the ball above the outrushing Conor Grant with Jarrow dominating the game.
Birtley made their first changes on 69 minutes. Andrew Clarkson had an immediate impact winning a penalty on 71 minutes, which Rutledge slotted home. At this point the game changed and Birtley were pressing for an equaliser. The game was level on 78 minutes when Rutledge snapped up a loose ball in the Jarrow area and the game was nicely poised at 2-2.
Birtley had opportunities to win the game through Clarkson and Preston but were unable to find a winner. It’s two points from two for Foster and Bryson but there was a similar feeling in the Birtley camp that we had enough chances to take all three sides.
Manager’s corner
Paul Bryson reflected on the 2-2 draw by speaking with Chris Munro after the game. “I am disappointed not to have taken all three points but at the same time we were 2-0 down with 25 minutes left to go.”
“We got punished for a couple of poor decisions. The penalty looks very harsh. On the plus side, we showed great character to get back into the game to get a point. I am delighted for Aidan (Rutledge) getting his two goals. We need to be more consistent throughout the game and show more quality in and around the penalty area.”
Up next…
The hoops look forward to their first home games of the season on Saturday 6th August against Easington Colliery (3pm kick off).
