Recap

HOOPS AIM FOR FOUR WINS IN A ROW WITH TUESDAY TRIP TO SHILDON

After a long stretch of home games, Birtley aim to take their good form on their travels, with three consecutive away days beginning at Shildon on Tuesday night.

LAST TIME OUT

Birtley hosted North Shields with both teams in the top 5 scorers before the game week and boy did this one deliver goals. It took only two minutes for the deadlock to be broken, as Nelson Ogbewe pounced on a defensive mix up before slotting home. On 19 minutes it was level however, with Charlie Aitken firing home an outstanding scissor-kick to equalise. After half an hour the visitors were back ahead through Stephen Hall after an Ogbewe cross from the left, only for James Proctor to score a piledriver from 25ish yards moments bring it back level once again at 2-2. The first half goalscoring wasn’t done there though as in the 36th minute, Harry Gettins crossed in and sent a bullet header past the keeper to give Birtley their first lead of the afternoon. And that lead would be doubled before the break, with Matty Ward curling in a worldie from the right side of the box into the top corner to make it six goals in a riveting first half that ended with Birtley 4-2 up. And the goalfest of a first half continued into the second, with it taking only 30 seconds for the seventh goal of the game, with half time substitute Dale Burrell arriving to finish with his first touch of the game and score Birtley’s fifth. The 200+ inside the Arrowmark were being treated to a thrilling performance from the Hoops and five home goals became six on the hour mark when Charlie Aitken scored his second of the night with an excellent composed finish. Minutes later and again another goal, this time one back for the visitors as Jordan Lashley punished some slack defending and finished well. 6-3 was how an amazing encounter at the Arrowmark ended with Birtley making it three wins on the bounce. 

As for Shildon, they hosted Newton Aycliffe hoping to make it five wins on the spin. However they fell behind in the 22nd minute when Sam Johnson netted for the visitors, only for David Vincent to equalise seven minutes later. However the visitors regained the lead before the break with Andrew Nelson making it 1-2 at half time. Again though, the hosts responded and only took two minutes in the second period to equalise for the second time, this time Alfie Steel getting himself on the scoresheet. It then was a long and nervous wait to see who would get the crucial fifth goal, and it was Shildon who took the lead for the first time, Steel scoring his second in the 83rd minute. In the dying seconds of added time Alfie Steel completed his hattrick and made sure of all three points for the hosts with a 4-2 win. 

ABOUT THE OPPO

Formed in 1890 as Shildon Town, the Railwaymen joined the Auckland and District League two years later and in 1894 merged with the Rangers and Heroes to become Shildon United. In 1900, the club played in the new Northern League Division Two but folded that season due to financial problems – as did the Second Division. Before WWII the club won four successive Northern League Division One titles; a record that stood until overhauled by Blyth in 1984. In 1937 the team was unbeaten on their march to the title with Jack Downing firing in a record 61 league and cup goals. A replay win at York City in 1927/28 saw the club reach the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time. In the first round, they have also played Brentford, Doncaster Rovers, Lincoln City, Scunthorpe United, and Oldham Athletic three times. The last time the club reached the first round was in 2003/04, losing out 7-2 against Notts County. The club also reached the second round, in 1936/37 against Dartford. The Dean Street turnstiles and distinctive grandstand were erected in 1923. A £45,000 grant saw new dressing rooms and a social club built beneath the stand 60 years later.

At the end of the 2004 season, the Railwaymen came under serious threat through financial difficulties when the former chairman severed all ties with the club. At the end of the season, all the players and the manager left the club, leaving it crippled. But during the close season, the club appointed a new chairman, Brian Burn who ensured its survival. The club survived a relegation scare and since then has gone from strength to strength.

In 2012-13, the club reached two cup semi-finals. A depleted side lost in the Durham Challenge Cup to Spennymoor Town. The match brought an end to the playing career of midfielder Chris Hughes after he suffered a knee injury.  And there was more heartbreak as the side narrowly missed a dream day out at Wembley after losing their two-legged FA Vase semi-final to a late extra-time goal in the second leg at home.

Following the sudden departure of the Management Team, Chairman David Dent appointed Daniel Moore in January 2017 and Moore guided us to 3rd position in the League and a Durham Challenge Cup Semi-Final. The first piece of silverware came at the start of the 2018/19 season with a 4-1 Penalty victory against Dunston UTS in the JR Cleator Cup.  This season ended with another top 6 finish and finished as it started, with silverware coming back to Dean Street in the form of the Durham Challenge Cup, a 1-0 win against South Shields FC at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

For the 2021/22 season, and after 2,896 games in the Northern League, the Club was promoted to Step 4 of the Football Pyramid (Northern Premier League – East), the highest level the Club has ever played at. The Club’s first season in the PitchingIn Northern Premier League East proved to be relatively successful with a top five finish, securing a play-off place. Unfortunately the play-off was lost to Marske United FC in extra time, who would eventually go on to be promoted to the Northern Premier League – Premier.

In July 2022 work was completed on the construction of a brand new changing block replacing the undersized and outdated facilities under the main stand at Dean Street. The old changing rooms have been converted into additional toilets for supporters.

In the summer of 2025 the Club embarked upon its biggest investment in its history and went on to install a FIFA approved 3G pitch with an investment of over £1.1m. The Club now is the home to over 40 Partner teams including its own Youth set up and Ladies Team.

Credit: Shildon AFC

LEAGUE POSITION AND FORM

Shildon
League Position: 3rd – (6-0-2) – 18pts
Form: W, W, W, W, W

Birtley Town
League Position: 5th – (5-0-3) – 15pts 
Form: W, L, W, W, W

COMING UP

On Saturday we have the long trip to Northallerton Town with our first supporter coach of the season. Departing at 11:30am to get to Yorkshire for 12:30pm in time for the Newcastle game, with Birtley kicking off at 3pm. There will be a scheduled stop off after the game for a few drinks. Get in contact now to book your place.

The following Saturday we visit Whickham in the FA Vase with an 8pm kick off. 

UP THE HOOPS

H2H
P6 W1 D1 L4 GF10 GA21

TOP GOALSCORERS