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.

Birtley Town 2 Northallerton Town 0

Northern League Division 2
4th September 2010
Birtley Sports Complex, Birtley

Attendance: around 60

With the Premiership taking a personal day and to celebrate national Non-League Day our attentions were drawn to the Birtley Sports Complex and Birtley Town FC. The visitors were Northallerton Town and the sun was shining as the teams took to the pitch from the dressing room block in the corner of the ground. With the spotlight partly on lack of Premiership football, it’s perhaps appropriate to mention that Birtley Town are the antithesis of Premiership life. The ground is modest with few home comforts – the club finished bottom of the league last season, they’re strapped for cash and operating from a council owned pitch half way along the Durham Road. In addition, the lack of perimeter security means the ground is vulnerable to vandalism, but it’s not all doom and gloom. The two ends are uncovered and two small stands – one with seating – punctuate the touchline behind the dug outs. Two sides of the ground are lined with trees with the other touchline backing on to a large playing field so although I can imagine it being somewhat rain & windswept in the winter months, it’s surprisingly cosy all the same.

After six consecutive away games to begin the season, Birtley’s home campaign was underway. The game began at a fast pace with the home side eager to impress and although both sides battled the midfield well few clear-cut chances were created in the first half. It was Birtley who took the lead to the delight of fans and players alike. In a tight first half, our hosts scrambled home the resultant loose ball after a sublime free kick was saved on to the post. Both sides gave a good account of themselves throughout this entertaining fixture – the only disappointment of the day really was the referee. He failed to allow the game to flow and made a rod for his own back early on by booking players for minor offences, players of both sides howling their derision in unison as the cards and poor decisions continued.

The handful of Northallerton fans who had made the journey encouraged their side but the game was effectively over when Birtley weathered some Northallerton pressure and doubled their lead in the second half. A Birtley substitution paid immediate dividends as incoming player latched on to a deflected through-ball to slot confidently home.

Overall it was a very enjoyable game and with a £2 entrance fee, few could complain. Based on this performance, Birtley Town can look forward to some degree of success this season.