Recap
Birtley Town were left to rue missed chances as a much improved performance earned them a 1-1 draw with Newcastle Benfield.
The Hoops started the brighter of the two sides forcing Benfield keeper Thomas Shanley into an early save. From the resulting corner, a scramble resulted in Benfield just about manging to keep the scores at bay. Benji Shodeinde was causing problems with his pace while James Proctor was dominating the game in midfield. Those two combined on twelve minutes but once again Benfield denied the opportunity through good defending.
The Hoops were deservedly ahead on 22 minutes. Shodeinde broke down the left and pulled it back to Lewis Exley. Exley steadied himself before crossing into the penalty area where Nick Marley was in the right position to glance his header into the keepers’ far corner.
Benfield were behind for just eight minutes. Ryan Smith picked the ball up in midfield and slid a through ball to Jack Watson. He lifted his effort over Alfie Gordon to level the scores. Birtley had two very late chances to retake the lead before the break. James Proctor slid Scott Heslop through on goal but his effort was well saved by Shanley, Benji Shodeinde picking up the rebound but his effort was blocked by a Benfield defender.
HALF TIME | Newcastle Benfield 1-1 Birtley Town
The Hoops were quick out of the blocks in the second period as Heslop released Shodeinde but his effort was fired into the side netting. Moments later, James Proctor released Shodeinde but he fired over when clear on goal. After the opening stages both sides found it difficult to create anything meaningful.
Opportunities were scarce with both sides looking most threatening from set pieces. Both sides made substitutions as they looked for a way to win the game. Benfield introduced James Wilson before having an opportunity to score on 75 minutes but they headed over from close range.
Birtley had a late opportunity with Scott Heslop before Reece Harrison made his debut for The Hoops. The game finished in a draw with Birtley left to rue missed chances either side of the break.
FULL TIME | Newcastle Benfield 1-1 Birtley Town
Attendance – 216
Player of the Match – James Proctor.
Manager’s Corner
Reece Chapman: “It’s a difficult one to sum really. On reflection going to an in-form Benfield missing Heds, Dinsa, Wardy and Jack Elliott and getting a point seems like a positive result. They had a couple of dangerous players for us to deal with too. However, on the balance of the game I thought we deserved much more.
We’ve defended well throughout the game and won many of the battles around the pitch. We’ve then created plenty of chances including 2 or 3 big, big ones, including two early in the second half that simply we must score. Nevertheless, it’s another point but we need to do more to convert those draws into wins.
The lads should be largely proud of their performance, we just need to be more clinical. We move on to Marske now in another tough game and we’ll look to try to get more points.”
H2H v Benfield
P2 W1 D0 L1 GF2 GA3
| DATE | HOME | F | A | AWAY | COMPETITION | ATT. | GOALSCORERS |
| 31.10.2018 | Newcastle Benfield | 2 | 0 | Birtley Town | League Cup | Round 2 | 93 | – |
| 11.11.2023 | Newcastle Benfield | 1 | 2 | Birtley Town | NL Division 1 | 255 | S. Heslop x 2 |
Next up…
Birtley have no midweek fixture for the remainder of the month as they welcome Marske United to DH3 for the first time in over thirteen years. That game is followed up by our longest journey of the season as we travel to Kendal Town on 30th November. The club will be running a bus to the game and supporters can contact Paul Beat or Scott Brown for details.
Highlights
To follow…
