We took a look at Birtley Town ahead of our trip to the Arrowmark Home Improvements Stadium.
The final run-in looms as Redcar Athletic take on the unlikely strugglers of Birtley Town, a game much tougher than it appears on paper.
Redcar are yet to best the Hoops since their promotion to Division One, twice tasting defeat last season, whilst fighting back for a point at the B&D Interiors Stadium in October.
WHO ARE YA?
Birtley Town
A club whose Northern League roots date back to its very inception, Birtley Town boast a deep history not too dissimilar from that of the division’s giants.
The Hoops featured in the league’s very first season all the way back in 1889, tasting victory in its inaugural match against Elswick Rangers (Birtley Town 4-1 Elswick Rangers).
A move to the North Eastern League in 1926 reaped little success, the club soon opting to join the Wearside League, in advance of what became the Second World War.
Having withdrawn from the league sometime after the global conflict, the Birtley Town that exists today was reformed in 1993.
The ‘Hoops’ have featured at Birtley Sports Complex since, with regular work and development carried out on the grounds facilitating promotion back to the Northern League in 2018.
Since, a startling season in Division Two paved the way for promotion. Birtley sank Billingham Town in a tight play-off final affair, earning a first taste of Step Five football in their long, illustrious history.
DID YOU KNOW: Birtley Town FC was formed as simply Birtley FC, remaining as such until after the Second World War, and then retaining the suffix when reformed in 1993.
CURRENT FORM
That’s a lot of green.
Redcar Athletic are firing on all cylinders at the present, a welcome turn following goalmouth woes dating back to a defeat to Easington Colliery in November.
The Steelmen have scored THIRTEEN times in just two games, and are yet to concede in over 500 minutes of Northern League football.
Birtley Town have only graced the field twice since the turn of the year.
The Hoops beat Northallerton Town last weekend, their only previous relevant result a defeat to second-placed Boro Rangers at the end of January.
PREVIOUS HISTORY
Since their promotion to Division One in 2023, Birtley Town have proved somewhat of a bogey team for the Steelmen.
An opening day disaster last season saw the curtains part on a 4-1 drubbing at the B&D Interiors Stadium.
Jack Norton saw red on the day, as James Sayer took charge of the gloves. A Joe Thompson rocket proved the only consolation.
Unfortunate to miss out on promotion in their first campaign at Step Five, Birtley have found themselves towards the foot of the table this season.
Still, the Hoops were the first to hold Redcar to a draw at the B&D Interiors Stadium, continuing an unbeaten head-to-head record during their time in the division.
TEAM NEWS
The biggest change on the team news front again comes from the dugouts, as Carl Jarrett returns to head up the Steelmen following a short stint away from the club.
Dave McTiernan took the helm for both victories over Carlisle City and Marske United.
In football matters, Kevin Burgess remains sidelined, although the defender is back on the grass in the latter stages of his recovery.
FINDING THE ARROWMARK HOME IMPROVEMENTS STADIUM
Joining us in Birtley this afternoon? Use the postcode DH3 2QW.
PRE-MATCH MEDIA
Nathan Guru urged his teammates to continue their goalscoring form, as he stressed the importance of clean sheets.
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