North Shields 2 Birtley Town 2

Northern League Division 2
9th October 2010
Ralph Gardner Park, North Shields

Attendance: 124

My second visit to North Shields happily coincided with my second Birtley Town game so it was somewhat fitting that the final score ended up at 2-2. With numerologists frothing over the date turning 10/10/10, I decide to celebrate John Lennon's 70th birthday by taking in a mouth-watering Northern League division 2 clash. I arrive in NE29 to grey but relatively mild weather conditions, and two goalkeepers warming up together on the pitch.

Shields go one up

The crowd, partisan but friendly, give the teams a warm welcome as they enter the field, both sides wearing their native colours; Shields in all red and the visitors in green and white hoops. Liverpool v Celtic, if you will. The first half is an energetic but scrappy affair and few chances are carved out until midway through the half when the visitors have a goal ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper. On 40 minutes and with our half time Bovril approaching, Shields open the scoring with a fine header. Birtley kick off, quickly regroup and level matters on the stroke of half time after some hesitant Shields defending.

Shields make it 2-2 from the spot

With some folk still negotiating half time refreshments, Birtley take a surprise 2-1 lead and begin to assert some authority on the game. The game beginning to run away, the home bench barks instruction and Shields throw everything forward. Shields press but lack the finishing touch, Birtley meanwhile soak up the onslaught, always looking dangerous on the counter. The referee, whilst finicky, aloof and a bit 'corned beef', shows good judgement to award the home side a late penalty following a hand ball. 2-2. Probably fair.