By Noel Russell at the Calvert Stadium (additional reporting from Ricky Butler)
 |
| Dale Elgie (8), congratulates Col Anderson on his goal against Birtley last night |
After a tight first half, the game really came to life with three goals in five minutes early in the second period. Anderson gave Town a 51st minute lead but Leon Watson equalised almost immediately. McLachlan then restored the Town advantage just past the hour-mark while Kokes sealed the points before a late Birtley consolation from substitute Daniel Taggart.
"It was another good win tonight that puts us back up to third in the league," said manager Peter Mulcaster at the whistle. "Birtley are a very young but talented side.
"We scored three good goals to give us our third win in four games. They came out of the blocks flying and for the first 15 minutes they played some lovely stuff and were the better side but slowly we got back in to the game."
Mulcaster's starting XI showed just one change from Saturday's defeat at Jarrow Roofing - McLachlan replacing absent skipper Gav Parkin with Kokes dropping back into midfield. Meanwhile new signing James Howlett took his place on the bench for the first time since his move this week from Darlington RA.
The absence of Parkin due to work commitments was the only change Mulcaster has had to make to his side in the last 4 matches and it is that stability that has led to an improvement in performances. And it was needed against a young and energetic Birtley side, who began the night just one place and one point below Town in the top 5.
Heavy rain throughout the afternoon had put the match at risk but the new drainage system, fitted over the summer, did its job perfectly and the pitch was in very good condition at kick off.
Birtley started well and forced Alex Kell into a fine early save, although when the rebound was lashed home from close range by Callum Hope, the goal was ruled out for offside - much to the relief of Town.
The visitors were on top at this stage and had another chance to take the lead when a weak back pass by Grant Hickman let in Mechack Kanda but the teenager's shot was weak and went straight into the grateful arms of Kell.
But slowly Town settled and had half chances from McLachlan, whose header went just wide, and a volley from Anderson which flashed just over the bar.
The first half was very even with not many clear cut chances at either end but the best of all came in stoppage time when the Birtley goalkeeper Jordan Harkess pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to deny Kokes and Graham Caygill.
The second period started at a frantic pace with three goals in four minutes. Town took the lead after 51 minutes when Kokes whipped in a free-kick and Anderson scrambled the ball in from close range. But the advantage lasted barely two minutes as Birtley were level after great skill in the box by Watson, who had tapped home.
However, Town were back in front moments later after great work down the left by Mikey Stevens who crossed for McLachlan to slot home his 5th goal of the season but first since August.
It could have been four goals in five minutes if it hadn't been for one of the saves of the season by Kell who was at full stretch to tip a shot from Kanda around the post - reminiscent of Gordon Banks' famous save from Pele in 1970.
But Town had chances to increase their lead. Dale Elgie's long range pile-driver was deflected just over the bar while Anderson's mis-kick nearly fell to Stevens at the far post but he just couldn't quite get his head to the ball.
However, it was 3-1 eighteen minutes from time. Anderson was in the thick of the action again when his neat through ball found Kokes in acres of space and he confidently fired home - his second goal in 4 days.
McLachlan was then close to one of the greatest goals ever seen at the Calvert when his exquisite chip from just inside the area beat Harkess but come back off the post.
Birtley, who had played good football throughout, reduced the arrears in the final minute when Kell misjudged the ball and it was squared for a tap in for leading scorer Taggart - his 12th goal of the season - leaving the visitors with a glimmer of hope.
But it was Town who could have scored a 4th in stoppage time when the impressive Anderson was only denied by a fine save from Harkess at point-blank range and it finished 3-2.
"The second half was slow for us, AGAIN," said Mulcaster. "However as the game went on we once again showed how well we can play. Birtley still looked dangerous on the break but Kokesy scored the third which really should have been enough, but we conceded a sloppy goal at the end. However, we held on to record a fine win."
Town now face in-form Washington at the Calvert Stadium on Saturday where a win could send them to the top of the table. Kick off is 3pm.
TOWN - Kell, Banks, Porritt, Hickman, Shoulder, Kokes, Anderson, Elgie, Caygill, McLachlan, Stevens. Subs - Holliday, Colman, Howlett.
BIRTLEY - Harkess, Gunn, Laverty, Morse, Coppen, Halliday, Breckton, Nichol, Kanda, Hope, Watson. Subs - Taggart, Lee, Davis, Reaks, Innes.
REFEREE - M. Bunting
ATTENDANCE: 97
No comments:
Post a Comment