Recap
Birtley Town crashed out of the FA Vase with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out defeat against local rivals Whickham AFC on Saturday evening.
For the fifth consecutive season, The Hoops crashed out of the FA Vase in the qualifying stages. Birtley need to go back to 2021/22 for the last time they reached the 1st round.
Birtley started the game in a positive way with Matty Ward fizzing a low ball across the six-yard box. James Proctor was unable to direct another Ward cross on target.
Whickham first tested Ryan Hammer on 16 minutes when ex-Hoops player Malachi Ray-Tharpe forced a good save from the Birtley stopper. It was another ex-Birtley man who put Whickham in-front, Sean Comstock firing home from the edge of the area after neat work from the Whickham winger Sam Payne.
The opening goal rattled Birtley and the Hoops struggled to gain their early dominance. Whickham looked the more threatening side in the first half with Ekomemen and Ray-Tharpe both causing problems.
HALF TIME | Whickham 1 – 0 Birtley Town
Birtley made a series of changes with Sam Dinsley, Nick Marley and Regan Paterson coming on. Dinsley replacing the injured debutant Lewis Bateman just before half-time.
It took just one minute for The Hoops to level and it was Nick Marley who was fouled by Robertson, Liam Wotherspoon stepping up to fire home from the spot.
Birtley dominated from this point onwards with Charlie Aitken forcing a good save from Robertson. Aitken hit the post with a looping header moments before Wardy’s curling effort was well saved by the young Sunderland stopper.
Regan Paterson had a great chance to score after great work from Marley but his tame effort was again saved by Robertson.
The pressure finally paid off when James Proctor crossed for Nick Marley to score a trademark header on 81 minutes.
Hoops supporters were hoping that their second half revival had been enough to eradicate their poor showing in the first half. The Hoops were unable to see the game out though and with possession needlessly given away, Birtley conceded a corner deep into injury-time. Unable to clear their lines, David Below prodded home to send the home supporters into raptures and take the game to spot kicks.
FULL TIME | Whickham 2 – 2 Birtley Town
(Whickham won 4-2 on penalties)
Whickham went on to win the shoot-out 4-2, with Fin Robertson producing a brilliant save to deny The Hoops second kick…even if he was a foot off his line.
Another FA Vase disappointment for Birtley and in-truth they can have no arguments with the end result. Missed chances and an inability to see the game out allowed Whickham AFC to capitalise.
Our congratulations go to Whickham who have had well documented struggles in recent weeks. The Lang Jacks newly formed side fought into the final seconds and take a deserved place in the 1st Round draw.
The Hoops now need to re-group and kick-start their season. We welcome Newcastle Benfield to The Arrowmark on Friday night for a 7.30pm kick-off.
Birtley still have two further cups to look forward to with the draw for the Durham Challenge Cup this week awarding them a home tie against Billingham Town which will be played the week preceding 10th October.
