Match Report: Newcastle Benfield 0-0 Birtley Town

Newcastle Benfield ended their three-game losing streak in a 0-0 draw with Birtley Town in the Northern League Division One. 

The hosts were left to rue missed chances and were forced to settle for a point on the night. 

The Lions made a number of changes going into the game with Patrick Dolan, Albert McPate and Aidan Haley all returning to the side. 

After an uneventful opening half an hour, the first chance of the game fell the way of Benfield when Glen Hargrave got on the end of a ball in behind and attempted to lob Birtley keeper Ryan Hammer, but his effort bounced narrowly over. 

Early into the second half another chance fell the way of Hargrave. McPate slid the ball in behind leaving the striker with just the keeper to beat but his effort dragged agonisingly wide. 

Benfield kept up the pressure and had another opportunity on the hour mark after some good link up play between McPate and Lewis Orrell saw the latter fizz the ball across the six-yard box which Hargrave flew himself at but didn’t get enough contact to turn it goalwards. 

With moments to go, The Lions felt they should’ve had a penalty when substitute Alfa Djalo was seemingly taken down in the Birtley box, but the referee waved appeals away, leaving them to settle for a point.