Whickham vs Birtley Town

Recap

Birtley Town crashed out of the Durham FA Challenge Cup with a disappointing 3-0 defeat to the hands to local rivals Whickham AFC. 

The Hoops were looking to equal their best ever record in the competition with a place in the semi finals as The Hoops welcomed back the quartet of Scott Heslop, James Proctor, Jack Elliot and Sam Hedley to the starting eleven.

It was The Lang Jacks who took full control of the tie in the opening stages. Cameron Brewis fired an early warning on 11 minutes but Alfie Gordon saved at ease. Whickham were ahead on 14 minutes though, Sam Johnson broke free from the Birtley back line and fired across Alfie Gordon, The Hoops allowing far too much time for Whickham in midfield before Johnson broke the offside trap. Just four minutes later and a Cameron Brewis header deflected off the crossbar and was turned away for a corner. The Hoops lost the first header from the set piece before Ross Peareth nodded home a second goal for the hosts. 

Birtley did grow into the game and Scott Heslop had an opportunity after neat work from Jack Elliott but his header went narrowly wide. Elliot switched over to the right-hand side and continued to cause problems for Whickham. He linked up with Lancaster and found Heslop once again but his stretching header once again went wide. The Hoops had two late chances to claw their way back into the game. Proc played in Jack Elliott but his low effort was well saved by Robbie Smith. Smith then denied Heslop after further good work from Elliott. In the dying stages of the first half, Sam Johnson struck the post from a similar angle to his first goal. 

HALF TIME | Whickham AFC 2-0 Birtley Town

The Hoops had a brilliant chance in the opening stages of the second period as Kyle Wharton broke forward from a loose pass by the hosts but he was unable to hit the target from just inside the box. Birtley began to make changes as they looked for a way back in to the game. Benji Shodeinde replacing Lewis Exley. The best chance for the visitors came in the 62nd minute. The Hoops forced pressure in the Whickham box and Kaleb Young was presented with a golden opportunity but Robbie Smith was able to spread himself to deny Birtley from close range. 

Tempers flared in the 71st minute as James Proctor was clattered by a poor challenge from Max Nelson who saw yellow, Kaleb Young and Sam Hedley also receiving yellow cards in the aftermath. The Hoops introduced Kelvin Thear and Matty Ward as they looked for a way back into the tie. Despite large spells of possession and some promising opening, Birtley were unable to carve out any meaningful chances as the game drew to a close. A late James Proctor free kick was collected by Robbie Smith. Alfie Gordon managed to deny Sam Johnson as he broke in a counter attack from a Birtley corner. In the dying moments, ex-Hoops man Ryan Dougherty curled a superb effort into the top corner to confirm a disappointing evening for Birtley. 

FULL TIME | Whickham AFC 3-0 Birtley Town

A disappointing evening for Birtley and in reflection it was an uphill task after a very poor start to the game. Attentions must now turn to the league as Birtley are just nine points clear of the drop zone. The Hoops are without a win in seven games and Birtley will need to turn their fortunes around over the Christmas period. 

Attendance – 153

H2H vs Whickham (at Whickham)
P15 W4 D1 L10 GF29 GA40

Next up…

Birtley host Guisborough Town in another important league game on Friday night. Doors at The Arrowmark will open at 6pm with kick-off at 7:30pm