Whickham vs Birtley Town

Recap

Birtley Town gained a valuable point but were disappointed to not have taken a vital win on Tuesday evening at local rivals Whickham. 

Both sides entered the game knowing that three points would help keep daylight between themselves and the dreaded bottom two relegation places. 

The Hoops started the game brightly with James Proctor and Lewis Exley finding space down either flank. The bright start was undone after just five minutes when Kieran Alpin cut inside and rocketed home beyond Alfie Gordon. Birtley remained calm following the early set back and dominated possession in the opening exchanges. Luke Carr was finding room in midfield and enjoying overlapping runs from James Proctor and Lewis Exley. Proctor found himself in a promising position but was unable to pick out a Birtley player. Birtley kept pressing and on 18 minutes, Scott Heslop laid off a Owen Lancaster throw-in to Nick Marley, his effort was easily saved by Foden.

Birtley were level on 20 minutes. Luke Carr cut inside and popped the ball off to Callum Turnbull, who then found James Proctor. Proctor looked to be looking to play the ball out left but cut back inside an unleashed a fabulous 25 yard curling effort which cannoned in off the post, much to the delight of a sizeable Birtley following. The Hoops continued to press and play some attractive football but without fully troubling the Whickham goal. 

Whickham had a couple of opportunities in the dying stages of the first half. Owen Lancaster and Sam Johnson managed to smother Dan Marriott. The resulting corner fell to the edge of the box and a curling effort was comfortably saved by Alfie Gordon. In the dying stages, Kyle Proctor played in james Proctor but the Birtley goalscorer blazed over the bar from the edge of the area,

Half-Time | Whickham AFC 1-1 Birtley Town

The 2nd period followed a similar pattern to the 1st with Birtley having the majority of possession. The first chance came to Nick Marley as he swivelled in the area before dragging his left footed effort wide of the goal. Birtley were inches from going ahead on 53 minutes. Foden went to clear the ball but completely missed his clearance allowing Nick Marley to pick up possession just wide of the six yard box. He pulled the ball back to Luke Carr but his effort was partially blocked and then cleared off the line, despite appeals for a goal from Birtley players and supporters.  

The Hoops continued to push for a winner but without creating any meaningful chances. Owen Lancaster’s glancing header went wide of the post and Scott Heslop’s 20 yard lob sailed over the bar. Birtley appealed for a handball on 70 minutes but the referee waved play on. The game in the dying period was an nervous affair with neither side wanting to lose a crucial game. Birtley were given a brilliant opportunity on 85 minuets as Finn Davies was bizarrely given a second yellow card for diving, onlookers agreeing it looked like the Whickham substitute had been fouled by a Birtley midfielder. 

Birtley pressed for the important willing goal but it was Whickham who came closest as Alfie Gordon denied a late counter attack and tipped the ball wide for a corner. 

Full-Time | Whickham AFC 1-1 Birtley Town

An important point for both sides as fellow strugglers Seaham Red Star fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Boro Rangers. The draw left Birtley four points clear of the drop. Whickham remained in 18th place following West Allotment’s 5-1 defeat at Shildon. Birtley and Seaham both have two games in-hand on Whickham and West Allotment. Attention now turns to a crucial trip to West Allotment on Saturday. 

Attendance – 170

Player of the Match – Jake Stafford

H2H vs Whickham (at Whickham)
P16 W4 D1 L11 GF29 GA43

Next up…

Birtley travel to West Allotment Celtic on Saturday for another crucial relegation six point battle.