In a thrilling league encounter at Hetton Academy on 19 January 2025, Birtley Town Hawks emerged victorious against Hetton Juniors Verona, clinching a 4-2 win in a match that showcased both tactical prowess and individual brilliance. The game kicked off at 9:45 am, with referee Tom Ward overseeing the action.
Birtley Town Hawks lined up in a 3-2-3 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while providing ample support for their attacking players. Fletcher Tranter took his position in goal, shielded by a central defensive trio of Ben Routledge, Harrison Younghusband, and Walter Johnson. In midfield, Seb Davison and Harry Morrison operated centrally, tasked with linking play and providing support to the forwards. Up front, Kayden Dailey and Jack McKay occupied the flanks, while Isaac Morales led the line as the central striker.
The substitutes for Birtley Town Hawks included Leo Patterson, Jacob Davison, Harry Kean, Noah Hodgson, and Alfie Elmy, all of whom were poised to make an impact as the match unfolded.
The Hawks started brightly, with Isaac Morales opening the scoring in the 10th minute. A through ball from Kayden Dailey found Morales who dribbled inside the box, and he expertly finished with his right foot into the bottom corner of the net, sending the visitors into an early lead. However, Hetton Juniors Verona responded quickly, equalising just five minutes later with a close-range effort from a corner that found the back of the net.
The home side continued to apply pressure, and by the 20th minute, they had taken the lead through a goalmouth scramble, again scoring from a corner. Birtley Town Hawks found themselves trailing 2-1, but the tactical substitutions made shortly after the half-hour mark aimed to shift the momentum back in their favour.
As the first half progressed, Birtley made several changes, bringing on Leo Patterson, Jacob Davison, Harry Kean, Noah Hodgson, and Alfie Elmy in a tactical reshuffle. These substitutions injected fresh energy into the team, and they began to regain control of the match.
The half-time whistle blew with the score at 2-1 in favour of Hetton Juniors Verona, but the Hawks were determined to turn the tide in the second half. Their persistence paid off when Morales struck again in the 35th minute, this time converting an expertly played 'sweaty' from Seb Davison to level the score at 2-2.
Birtley continued to press forward, and in the 42nd minute, Kayden Dailey scored from a goalmouth scramble, putting the Hawks ahead 3-2. The momentum was firmly with Birtley, and they extended their lead further when Alfie Elmy scored a stunning solo goal in the 51st minute, showcasing his skill and determination.
As the match approached its final stages, Birtley made further tactical adjustments, reintroducing Walter Johnson, Isaac Morales, Leo Patterson, Jacob Davison, and Jack McKay to maintain their advantage. Despite a late injury to Harrison Younghusband, which saw Ben Routledge come on, the Hawks held firm to secure a well-deserved 4-2 victory.
The match concluded with Birtley Town Hawks celebrating a significant away win, with Isaac Morales earning the accolade of Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, including two crucial goals. The Hawks will take great confidence from this result as they continue their league campaign.
