Recap
PROCTOR HITS HAT-TRICK AS HOOPS HAMMER NORTH SHIELDS
BIRTLEY PUT UP ONE OF THEIR BEST PERFORMANCES IN YEARS TO THRASH NORTH SHIELDS 6-1.
The Hoops had two changes for this one with Ryan Hammer returning in goal and Harry Gettins making his first start in green and white. The hosts started the day within a point of the playoff places and knew a win was vital to retain hopes of the playoffs going into the last day.
The Robins made a decent start with interventions from Wharton and Stafford crucial to denying an attack from the left. The Hoops quickly grew into it and after a quarter of an hour Liam Thear closed down Callum Elliott and was inches away from nicking a pass across goal with clear space in front of him. Reece Harrison combined well with James Proctor and played a 1-2 but decided to pass when a shot was probably the better option and no one was in the middle to receive.
On twenty-three minutes, the Hoops did have the lead though as a brilliant Liam Thear pass found Reece Havelock-Brown who had time to sidefoot home. Almost instantly from kick off it was two, as the ball for Thear again who sent a lovely looping ball to the back post where Proctor was inexplicably in acres of space and headed home when he could hardly miss.
Five minutes later and it was almost three. Ryan Hammer sent a ball flying over the top and Thear was inexplicably on goal, he was then put off balance by the defender running behind him but the referee was uninterested. The hosts replied with some pressure but Ryan Hammer got fingertips to a cross to divert it away from danger. Suddick then did some good work down the left for the Robins but the pass flew across the face of goal.
The Robins pressed forward towards the end of the half searching to get a lifeline for their play off hopes. Former Birtley man Stephen Hall headed over when well positioned. The Hoops then responded, Suddick missed what looks like an easy ball allowing Proctor through. He could have hit with his left but cut back on his right and cut just past the post. Then Proctor shot again this time on target but somehow it was cleared off the line and cleared for a corner. The ball was swung in and again put goalwards but again cleared off the line. Birtley inches again from a three goal lead but 2-0 is how it stayed to half time.
HALF TIME: NORTH SHIELDS 0-2 BIRTLEY TOWN
One change a piece at half time with Matty Ward replacing Harry Gettins for Birtley. A huge half of football remained with North Shields needing to go all out to get back in the game. This cost them immediately as Proctor was put through again and simply slotted past Elliot in the Robins goal. His second of the day and ninth of the season. Just before the hour mark and it was Proctor’s turn to become provider as he whipped in an inch perfect cross for Sam Hedley to convert as he powered home a free header to make it nil-four leaving the travelling fans in dreamland.
Stephen Hall almost pulled one back for Shields but saw his thunderous effort crash of the crossbar. Substitute Matty Ward lined up a long distance shot but it was blocked and fell for Reece Harrison but his driven shot was straight at the keeper who parried away. North Shields made a quadruple-substitution in a last ditch effort to get back in the game.
73rd minute and James Proctor had his hattrick, with another excellent finish. The ball was slid across from the left an Proctor finished with aplomb. Three goals and an assist for the Blonde Bomber in an outstanding performance. Sam Hedley was replaced by Charlie Armin shortly after for Birtley. North Shields did then get a goal back. The ball in from the left went to the back post where it was headed back across goal for Ryan Carr to slide in and tap home. Some outstanding Hoops defending then denied a chance at a second with Regan Paterson denied.
Then another outstanding intervention, with Ryan Hammer producing an unbelievable fingertip save to divert the ball onto the crossbar. Into added time and Birtley weren’t finished attacking either. Matty Ward for the second time in a week with an outstanding long range strike, this one more curled than the dart he sent into the top corner last week, but the same destination and same result. 6-1 Birtley. An unbelievable performance. Thank you very much.
FULL TIME: NORTH SHIELDS 1-6 BIRTLEY TOWN
Many thanks for your support as always.
UP THE HOOPS
Next up…
We have a huge week in front of us. First we head to Teesside for our Brooks Mileson League Cup Quarter Final against Thornaby. It’s a 7:30pm kick off and we would love a huge away following as we hope to progress to the Semis. Then on Saturday the last game of the league season as we host Whitley Bay with a 3pm kick off. Possibly the last home game of the season – cup dependant – it would be brilliant to have a big crowd to thank the boys for their efforts this season.
