Recap
A single Tom McIntyre goal was enough to give Newcastle Blue Star all three points on Friday evening.
Birtley welcomed Benji Shodeinde and Max Stoker into the side as both players made their debuts for the club. Shodeinde showed his electric pace in the early stages and won a series of early corners, one of which was an effort that forced Lister into a good save. The opening exchanges saw the game mainly played out in the midfield with neither side having and meaningful chances. Birtley dominated in terms of set pieces and possession but without creating anything meaningful.
James Proctor and Lewis Exley both saw long range efforts go narrowly over the bar while a long range effort from Sean Reid has the same result at the other end.
HALF TIME | Newcastle Blue Star 0-0 Birtley Town
In the second half, Nathan Kidd was neatly slipped through on goal by Dan Lanning but his effort went just inches wide of the upright. Birtley had their best opening 74 minutes. Boyd slipped through Scott Heslop but his tame effort was saved by Dan Lister, the rebound from Matty Ward was then saved again before Heslop. Birtley fell behind on 82 minutes. The Hoops lost possession in a dangerous area which allowed Blue Star to smash an effort off the post from 20 yards out. The ball cannoned off the post and landed straight to the feet of ex-Birtley man Tom McIntyre who slotted home from close range.
The Hoops pressed for an equaliser but were unable to create anything too meaningful. It was another game for Birtley in which they felt their performance and efforts would have deserved something from the game. The Hoops will know that on another evening and the decisions in either box may have lead to Birtley securing points from the game.
FULL TIME | Newcastle Blue Star 1-0 Birtley Town
Birtley remain in 20th place and one point above the relegation spots. A difficult trip to Redcar Athletic awaits before back to back home games.
Manager’s Corner
Reece Chapman: ““It’s a tough one to take. I think it was a really well contested game and both teams have had chances to win it. I think their goal comes from a mistake by us and then a bit of fortune when the ball falls to their lad in the box off the post. They’re moments that we haven’t had this season. We know we need to keep battling and be resolute. On another day, we’re one up in the game after the triple chance we had and perhaps look to manage it like they did late on. Nevertheless, though we need to show more quality on the ball, relax when we’ve got a bit more space and look to play in good areas. If we can get those bits right, then we’ll continue to be better”.
H2H v Newcastle Blue Star at Scotswood
The game was Birtley’s first competitive fixture at Scotswood.
Next up…
Birtley complete four successive away games off the belt with a trip to Redcar Athletic on Tuesday evening.
Highlights
To follow…
