Recap
Birtley Town were rewarded with a well-deserved point after a hard-fought game against high flying Redcar Athletic on Tuesday evening.
The Hoops finished a difficult run of four consecutive away games with a battling display against Redcar. Birley made two changes to the side that faced Newcastle Blue Star on Friday with Sam Dinsley and Nick Marley returning to the starting eleven.
Birtley were ahead on just six minutes as Benji Shodeinde latched onto a Nick Marley flick on. Benji rolled the defender before clipping the ball over Joshua Mazfari to record his first goal for the club. Redcar gradually grew into the first half and Mark Anderson’s deflected effort when narrowly wide of the post after Birtley had failed to clear their lines. Outstanding defending from Sam Dinsley denied Adam Boyes from a goalscoring opportunity shortly afterwards. Birtley threatened themselves but Matthew Ward’s tame effort was saved after a quick free-kick from Kyle Wharton. Redcar were level right on the stroke of half-time and the spectacular goal came from nothing. Mark Anderson was left unmarked from a throw-in, around 30 yards from goal he unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
HALF TIME | Redcar Athletic 1-1 Birtley Town
Redcar started brightly in the second period and Chay Liddle blazed over from close range. The Redcar strom was short lived as the game entered a similar pattern to the 1st half. Birtley were back ahead on 64 minutes. Sam Dinsley broke through the midfield line and slotted through to Matthew Ward. Ward hit his shot early and the effort squirmed through Mazfari.
Birtley pressed to extend their lead as they entered their most dominant period of the game. Matthew Ward swivelled in the box and saw his effort well blocked. Ward forced a mistake from Redcar keeper Mazfari but Benji Shodeinde was denied by a mixture of Mazfari and Burgess when it looked destined that Birtley would extend their lead. James Proctor’s strong drive was pushed wide for a corner as Birtley looked to be heading for a crucial victory.
Redcar pushed their way back into the game and were awarded a penalty after Alfie Gordon caught Adam Boyes in the box, Bradley Fewster stepped up to send Gordon the wrong way. Redcar pushed for a winner after this point but Birtley were able to hold on with a strong defensive display and two important late stops from Gordon.
FULL TIME | Redcar Athletic 2-2 Birtley Town
A crucial point for Birtley at the end of four consecutive away games. The Hoops have now played 9 of their 13 league games away from home, including 8 of the current top 10 sides. Birtley know that they need to build on this performance with Easington and Northallerton visiting DH3 in the next two games.
Attendance – 195
Player of the Match – Sam Dinsley
Manager’s Corner
Reece Champan: “I thought our attitude and effort levels were tremendous on Tuesday night. Redcar is a tough place to go, they’re a very good side, they moved the ball well and tried to cause us a couple of different problems, they are one of the front runners for a reason. We went down there needing to make changes to the 11 that started against Blue Star because of injury and illness, but the lads really delivered on what we asked of them. We set up to set traps and win the ball back in certain areas of the pitch and then asked the boys to have a little more care and quality with the ball. I felt that for the most part we did that really well, we could have gone in at half time one up too but for a tremendous strike seconds before the whistle. It’s probably the best strike I’ve seen at our level this season. I’ve heard a few say Redcar were off their game on Tuesday night, and they might have been, that’s not for me to say, but I think we deserve more credit than that too. We tried to win the game, led twice and we definitely deserved the point. Again, all the dressing room wants to thank those that travelled down and applauded us off.”
Next up…
Birtley host newly promoted Easington Colliery on Saturday in a 3pm kick-off.
Highlights
