Seaham Red Star vs Birtley Town

Recap

A dominant second half display ensured that Birtley climbed to fourth in the league and back into the play-off zone. 

Second half goals from Scott Heslop, Lewis Exley and Ben Pentland ensured Birtley gained all three points as they continued their push for a play-off position. Entering the game, Birtley knew this fixture was one of their important games in hand. The Hoops made two changes to the side that drew with Whickham last Friday as Josh Strassheim and Stephen Hall returned to the starting eleven.

The opening exchanges were played at a subdued pace with neither side creating any meaningful opportunities. Matthew Ward, Scott Heslop and James Proctor all had efforts on goal however Birtley struggled to create any real goalscoring opportunities. It was Red Star who created the best two chances of the opening period. Late pressure from the hosts resulted in a series of set-pieces and Birtley somehow managing to deflect one powerful header out for another corner. In the closing moments, Lewis Rutherford broke free but Alfie Gordon was quick off his line and denied Rutherford, the ball then looped in the air before bouncing onto the crossbar, Callum Turnbull quickly rushing in to clear the loose ball away.

HALF TIME | Seaham Red Star 0-0 Birtley Town 

If the first forty-five was subdued, the second half was a completely different affair. A change in tactics and shape brought immediate success when Matty Ward had a long range effort saved by Andrew Jenninson. From the resulting corner, Birtley were ahead. Scott Heslop met the initial cross and his glancing header came off Craig Hennis, Hezzy taking no time to run away and claim the opening goal.

There was to be no mistake about Birtley’s second. A lovely passage of possession resulted in Kyle Wharton finding the overlapping Josh Strassheim. Strass then pulled the ball back to Alex Francis, who delivered a perfect cross that found Scott Heslop and the Birtley number nine glanced another header into the bottom corner. Birtley were now in complete control. Matty Ward struck the post just moments later after a jinking run into the Seaham area.

The result was secured on 73 minutes when a long Sam Hedley throw-in evaded everyone before Lewis Exley controlled and lashed home a eloquent half volley. Birtley had further opportunities to score through Ward and Proctor before Glen Hargrave had a goal ruled out for offside. The Hoops did manage a fourth when a quick Alex Francis free-kick was superbly dispatched by substitute Ben Pentland. 

FULL TIME | Seaham Red Star 0-4 Birtley Town 

Attendance – 153 including around 50 travelling Birtley supporters. 

Player of the Match – Matty Ward

Manager’s Corner
Paul Bryson: “We are delighted with the performance and the result. We have a couple of injuries at the moment and it was a chance for Strass and Hally to come into the team. We changed the formation from Friday as we had watched Seaham previously. We thought that with the formation change then this would be the best tactic but it didn’t really happen for us in the first half. It was quite even and we came in at 0-0 after a fantastic save from Alfie Gordon.

We reverted back to our original formation at half-time. The second half was a brilliant performance against a good Seaham side. I think Seaham are a better side than what their league position suggests. I am delighted with the three points. Josh Strassheim was excellent tonight. There is some young players in the side and they have had a number of first division appearances now. I am really pleased with the goals we scored and the goal scorers. It was an excellent performance in the second-half and an excellent result for us.”

H2H vs Seaham Red Star (at Seaham)
P6 W1 D1 L4 GF8 GA15 Pts 4

Next up…

Birtley will host Carlisle City on Saturday in a 3pm kick-off. The Hoops then make the journey to Cumbria on Tuesday evening in the reverse fixture. 

Highlights…

To follow