Seaham Red Star vs Birtley Town

Recap

Birtley Town and Seaham Red Star played out a goalless stalemate on Saturday as neither side were able to capitalise on favourable results. 

The Hoops named an unchanged eleven from the side that beat Shildon AFC last weekend. The game was a scrappy affair with neither side really able to create any meaningful chances.

The first chance came to Owen Lancaster when he met a Lewis Exley set piece. It was Seaham who edged the first period in terms of chances. Birtley came close when Scott Heslop played in Benji Shodeinde on 27 minutes but goalkeeper Matt Cassop was able to claim the ball. Alfie Gordon was called into action twice in the dying stages of the first half as he denied Annang-Colquhoun. 

HALF TIME | Seaham Red Star 0-0 Birtley Town

Birtley started the second half looking for an opening goal. Kaleb Young fired a long-range effort narrowly wide from the edge of the area before Scott Heslop saw an effort well saved moments later. The next chance fell to Benji Shodeinde after neat work from Scott Heslop. Once again Cassop was able to deny the in-form Birtley striker.

Birtley made changes as they looked for a winner. Matty Boyd and Jack Elliott entered the field and it was Boyd who delivered a good cross that was met by Heslop but his effort was again saved by Cassop. 

It was Boyd again who supplied the last chance of the game as he found Shodeinde. Benji managed to round the keeper but Seaham defenders responded quickly to ensure the score remained goalless.

The final whistle came shortly after that moment with neither side having done enough to deserve all three points. 

FULL TIME | Seaham Red Star 0-0 Birtley Town

Player of the match – Sam Dinsley

Attendance – 105

Manager’s Corner

Reece Chapman: “It’s a point and a clean sheet away from home, but we’re disappointed. Seaham were good in the first half they got around us, pressed well through their no. 11 and stopped us trying to play. That really limited our attacks although we’ve had a couple. That said, they probably had the best attack of the half. In the second half we were much better and much the better side. We’ve moved the ball well, had 2/3 big chances but ultimately, I’m really disappointed with our decision making in front of goal. When games are tight like that one you’ve got to make good decisions, and I don’t think we have done that well enough today. We move on to Tuesday but the boys know that we have to be much better than today.”

H2H v Seaham Red Star
P7 W2 D1 L4 GF12 GA15

Next up…

Birtley travel to step 4 side Bishop Auckland in the Durham County Cup. The game will take place on Tuesday with a 7:45pm kick-off.