BIRTLEY TOWN 0 NORTHALLERTON TOWN 2
GOALS from the returning Col Anderson and Jon Burton either side of the break were enough to give promotion-chasing Town another three points as the revival under new manager Peter Mulcaster continued at Birtley on Tuesday evening.
In a first half they had dominated completely, Town had to wait until just before the break to finally beat impressive home goalkeeper Andrew Hunter when Anderson headed home a perfectly-flighted free kick from Gav Parkin.
Burton, who had opened his account for the club a week earlier, then added a second with another header from another Parkin set-piece delivery seven minutes after the restart to seal a comfortable nights work for Mulcaster's side.
"Of course I am pleased with another win," said the Town boss after his 100% record since taking charge ten days ago was extended to three matches.
"It should have been four or five in the first half alone, but it is always good to get a win. The other pleasing thing for me was that we had 3 Northallerton lads out there tonight and have won the game."
With the matches coming thick and fast, Mulcaster made changes to his starting XI. Ian Smurthwaite replaced injured captain Danny Shoulder in the centre of defence, while Grant Hickman came in for Steve Banks at right back. Elsewhere, Marcus Laing returned in the heart of midfield while Michael Dunwell replaced the absent Carl Chillingsworth in attack.
On a difficult surface, Town started well and only Hunter stood between them and a comfortable half time advantage. Two point-blanks save from Adam Emson almost defied belief, while the Birtley 'keeper then produced more heroics to deny Dunwell.
Other chances came and went as Mulcaster's side played some lovely football. They attacked with pace and panache from wide areas in a first half performance as good as anything they have produced all season. Dunwell, Anderson and Parkin all curled efforts narrowly wide of the post while Emson was twice more denied by Hunter.
Town were nearly made to pay for their profligacy when the nippy Birtley forward Luke Wilson twice broke through but he unable to find a finish and it was the visitors who finally made the breakthrough they deserved seconds before the break. Parkin whipped in a delightful free kick from the right and Anderson arrived to nod past Hunter from 6 yards.
Town rarely reached the heights of the first half after the restart but they were still in total control and doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute. Parkin, who must have created well over half of Town's goals this season, was at it again with another inch-perfect set-piece delivery and Burton rose to nod home with great aplomb despite the best efforts of defender Peter Henderson on the line.
Birtley worked hard to find a way back into the match but Town rarely looked like conceding and the nearest the hosts came to a consolation was an effort from Callum Smith which was tipped over the top by the otherwise under-employed James Briggs.
Mulcaster made changes, bringing on both recent signings David Cooke and Andrew Porritt for their club debuts, but Town could have increased their margin of victory in the closing stages. Hickman, getting forward to great effect down the right, headed over the top, Anderson was denied a second by a goalline clearance from Daniel Hepplewhite while Dunwell's overhead acrobatics produced another save from Hunter.
So all-in-all a satisfactory nights work for Mulcaster's side who are now just seven points behind 4th placed Darlington RA with four games in hand.
Next up for Town is a trip to high-flying Ryhope CW on Saturday, the first in a gruelling schedule of ten games in a little over four weeks, seven of which are away from home. It is a run of fixtures that will define the season.
BIRTLEY TOWN - Hunter, Henderson, Wallace, Smith (C), Hepplewhite, Downey, Allsopp, Smith (D), Wilson, Turner, Henry. Subs - Oliver, Trotter, Clarke, Roseby.
TOWN - Briggs, Hickman, Bowman, Smurthwaite, Winter, Parkin, Anderson, Laing, Dunwell, Emson, Burton. Subs - Caisley, Butterworth, Banks, Cooke, Porritt.
REFEREE - R. Cushing
ATTENDANCE: 45
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