Whickham vs Birtley Town

Recap

Birtley Town finished off 2025 in style with an impressive 5-0 victory away at local rivals Whickham. 

Going into the game, Birtley had not won at Glebe since 2015 but that record was hit for five as Birtley produced a magnificent display in front of a large away following. The Hoops just made one change to the side that beat Horden CW with Ban Walker replacing the suspended Kyle Wharton. 

Birtley started the brighter of the two sides but it was Whickham who had the first two opportunities to score. Finn Davies headed over the bar from point blank range on 15 minutes. The biggest chance for the hosts came when Bailey Adamson was left unmarked in the box but Max Campbell managed to push the ball wide for a corner. Birtley were still dominating possession as Dale Burrell forced Lewis Brass into a smart save low down to his right. 

The deadlock was broken on 34 minutes. Owen Lancaster’s cross was cleared to Matty Ward who picked up the ball on the left and around 25 yards from goal. Ward jinked his way through two Whickham defenders before smashing in a superb solo effort off the crossbar. On the stroke of half-time, Birtley’s dominance was rewarded with a second as Scott Heslop’s flick found Nick Marley. Marley took a great touch to steady himself before unleashing a fierce drive from the edge of the area. Lewis Brass was able to get a hand to the shot but was unable to prevent the ball from crossing the line. 

HALF TIME | WHICKHAM AFC 0-2 BIRTLEY TOWN

The second half followed a similar pattern with Birtley dominating throughout. Lewis Brass made a great save to deny Scott Heslop from making it three. That relief was short lived though as Heslop controlled a superb Dale Burrell pass before slotting the ball beyond Brass. The Whickham stopper a little unfortunate having made the initial save to then see the ball comeback off Heslop and trickle over the line. Heslop was injured in the process and made way for Reece Havelock-Brown. 

Lewis Brass denied Nick Marley from scoring his second but the fourth goal did arrive on 76 minutes. A long Owen Lancaster throw-in was turned into the Whickham net by Glebe defender Shay Robinson.

Birtley scored their fifth goal when Kaleb Young connected with a Havelock-Brown cross, flicking the ball beyond Brass. Five minutes of injury time was announced and Birtley had Owen Lancaster to thank for keeping hold of a priceless second consecutive clean sheet. Bailey Adamson looked destined to score from inside the six yard box but Lancaster’s last-ditch block finished off a fine Boxing Day victory. 

FULL TIME | WHICKHAM AFC 0-5 BIRTLEY TOWN

Attendance – 263 including a sizeable away following of approximately 80. Images of our travelling support can be found on our Facebook page courtesy of Raw Edge Media. 

MOTM – Dale Burrell

H2H vs Whickham (at The Glebe)
P17 W4 D2 L11 GF30 GA44

Next up… 

Birtley host Guisborough Town on Saturday 3rd January with a 3pm kick-off. 

Highlights