Birtley Town Hawks And Westerhope Yellows Share Spoils In Thrilling Draw

Birtley Town Hawks faced off against Westerhope Yellows in a friendly match at the Sunderland Ford Hub on 6th April 2025, kicking off at 8:45 am. The match concluded with a dramatic 2-2 draw, showcasing a competitive spirit from both sides throughout the encounter.

Birtley Town Hawks set up in a 3-2-3 formation, with Fletcher Tranter in goal. The defensive line consisted of Harrison Younghusband on the right, Ben Routledge in the centre, and Jacob Davison on the left. In midfield, Jack McKay and Harry Morrison operated centrally, while the attacking trio featured Isaac Morales on the right, Harry Kean as the striker, and Leo Patterson on the left. This formation allowed for a balanced approach, with the defenders tasked to provide stability while the midfielders and forwards aimed to create scoring opportunities.

The substitutes for Birtley Town Hawks included Noah Hodgson, Alfie Elmy, Seb Davison, and Walter Johnson, ready to make an impact as the match progressed.

The match began with an early setback for Birtley Town Hawks, as Westerhope Yellows took the lead in the 9th minute, scoring from inside the box. This goal set the tone for a fiercely contested match, with Birtley needing to respond quickly to avoid falling further behind.

In the 20th minute, Birtley Town Hawks made a series of substitutions to freshen up their attack and midfield. Noah Hodgson replaced Isaac Morales, Alfie Elmy came on for Harry Kean, Seb Davison took over from Jack McKay, and Walter Johnson stepped in for Harry Morrison. These changes aimed to inject new energy into the team as they sought to equalise.

The first half concluded with the score at 1-0 in favour of Westerhope Yellows, but Birtley Town Hawks emerged from the break with renewed determination. Just three minutes into the second half, Noah Hodgson found the back of the net in the 33rd minute, assisted by Leo Patterson, bringing the score to 1-1 and igniting hopes of a comeback.

Birtley continued to press for a second goal, and in the 50th minute, Jack McKay showcased his skill with a stunning direct free-kick from long range, giving Birtley a 2-1 lead. The momentum seemed to be firmly with Birtley Town Hawks as they celebrated their second goal.

However, the match took another twist in the 58th minute when Westerhope Yellows equalised, scoring their second goal to level the match at 2-2. This late strike ensured that both teams would share the spoils in what had been an entertaining and competitive fixture.

Harry Morrison was recognised as the standout performer of the match, contributing significantly to Birtley Town Hawks' efforts. The friendly ended with both sides demonstrating their potential, leaving fans eager for future encounters.