Kendal Town vs Birtley Town

Recap

Hoops return from Cumbrian road trip empty handed as Birtley suffer back-to-back away defeats

The Hoops had three changes to the team that hammered West Allotment Celtic 9-0 last Saturday. Nick Marley returned from an injury suffered at Shildon in January and Sam Hedley was back after missing last week’s rout with the birth of his son – congratulations once again to Sam and Abbie. There was also a debut for Charlie Aitken who joined this week from Whickham. The Hoops travelled to Kendal for just the second time following a first ever trip to the Westmorland Flooring Stadium last season and wore their royal blue strip for this game.

The Hoops started well with pressure on the Kendal box leading to a long throw which found its way to Reece Havelock-Brown on the edge of the box whose effort was blocked. It didn’t take long for the hosts – who are firmly in the playoff hunt – to take the lead despite some strong early Hoops play. Will McGladdery sent in a corner to the back post where Kendal captain Bailey Kenny had too much space to nod home. Birtley continued to have the better of the general play and on thirteen minutes Reece Harrison was played through with just one man to beat but good defending denied him an effort on goal. Another long throw led to another Havelock-Brown effort, this time closer to 12 yards out, but he fired over.

Once again and slightly against the run of play, Kendal scored. Very similar to the first goal a cross was sent in to the back post this time by Zach Walker where on this occasion it was DJ Taylor in too much space to head down. Two nearly became three shortly after as on twenty minutes, Clarke had an effort from the edge of the box which crashed into the bar, down onto the line and was gratefully claimed by Ryan Hammer in the Birtley goal. Birtley then continued to push forward and Charlie Aitken had his first chance as the ball was laid off for him by Matty Ward but he couldn’t put enough power on the strike under pressure and the home keeper Cheetham made the save. 

On 31 minutes and Birtley had the goal back they probably deserved as the ball was sent over from the right and Reece Harrison headed home his sixth goal of the season to half the deficit. The Mintcakes responded however with strong pressure through to half time. First, James Bailey was the latest Kendal player to have a free header but nodded wide when well placed. Minutes later, it was 3-1 to the hosts Bailey’s initial effort was well saved by Hammer but fell nicely for DJ Taylor, Taylor cut inside too easily before firing an excellent effort into the top corner for his second of the game.

A strong first half performance from Birtley but two cheap goals had given the hosts a 3-1 lead. The reply from Reece Harrison  being quickly cancelled out left the Hoops with work to do in the second half.

HALF TIME – KENDAL TOWN 3-1 BIRTLEY TOWN

Birtley were forced into a half-time change with Charlie Armin replacing Nick Marley who had picked up a knock on his return. Much like the first, Birtley started the second half stronger and created a great chance for Charlie Aitken to grab a debut goal to reduce the arrears, but he placed wide while extremely well placed. The Hoops continued to press and some smart defending flicked a dangerous Harrison cross away from Matty Ward when he had looked destined to tap home. Towards the hour mark and more pressure from the Birtley boys in blue. Reece Harrison had a free kick headed out for a corner which led to a powerful Ward strike which had claims of handball waved away. 

Kendal responded with some attacking play of their own. Taylor – searching for his hattrick – could only find the side netting with a left footed strike. It then took a brilliant intervention from Sam Hedley to clear a goal-bound cross after some good overlapping play from the hosts. It felt as though the next goal would be crucial and Birtley had a huge chance to find it. Havelock-Brown made space from himself and had a glorious chance to bring the Hoops back within one but his effort trickled just wide. Kaleb Young replaced Dale Burrell for the Hoops, and the sub made an instant impact winning a corner in the 72^nd minute. It was whipped and straight onto the head of skipper Sam Hedley who buried it to bring Birtley back to 3-2. 

Birtley then felt they had all the momentum as they pushed for an equaliser. Young whipped a free kick in to the area and bodies went at it with the ball only just drifting agonisingly wide. Then Armin sent in a long throw for the Hoops which was headed goalbound only for Cheetham in the Kendal net to tip over. Into the last ten minutes and Hedley sent Matty Ward down the left and he beat one man before running into another who intervened well. A long throw lead to another Birtley header which was claimed by Cheetham. An initial three added minutes was extended closer to ten after a clash of heads with both able to continue despite some lengthy treatment. The Hoops continued to pile forward and paid the price as Kendal substitute Jamie Looker scored his nineteenth of the season to put the result beyond doubt despite the efforts of Hedley to clear it off the line. 

4-2 was how it finished and a scoreline which ultimately looked harsh on a Birtley side who had competed very well with a side currently sat third in the table following this win. A performance which should encourage all that strong results are possible in this very busy March period. Thank you to all the travelling support for our longest away day of the season. 

FULL TIME – KENDAL TOWN 4-2 BIRTLEY TOWN

This game had the biggest ever attendance between the two teams and we thank all the Hoops fans who made the trip down to Cumbria. The Hoops are back on the road in the week with a trip to Crook Town on Wednesday night. We are back at home for our first Friday game under the lights of 2026 as we host West Auckland Town.

The fixtures come thick and fast throughout March with the Kendal game being the first of eight in 24 days until the end of the month. We hope to see you at as many as possible with four home games and two short trips to Newcastle in amongst those fixtures.

H2H v KENDAL TOWN

P3 W1 D1 L1 GF5 GA7

Highlights (Credit – Kendal Town)