Match Report: 05/02/08
Ashington 0, Billingham Synthonia 1
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Synthonia travelled to Northumberland for a final visit to Ashington's Portland Park, with the hosts leaving their home of over one hundred years for a new stadium next season. Scaife handed a full debut to striker Anthony Abel in an otherwise unchanged starting line-up from the team that beat Dunston on Saturday.
The Colliers had Synners on the back foot from the off and after 3 minutes sent in a free kick from the right that was met with a shot that went wide of the upright.
After 6 minutes a long range Ashington effort brought a great save from Billingham keeper John Jackson, who flung himself back as the ball was heading just under the cross-bar.
The hosts continued to press and gained two corners in the 16th minute, both of which were punched clear by Jackson under pressure. A minute later Jackson was called into action again as a deflected shot looked destined to give the hosts the lead, Jackson adjusting well to make a good save.
Synthonia had their first real attack after 21 minutes when Abel made a good run down the inside left channel only to be brought down just outside the penalty area. The resulting free kick was easily cleared.
Billingham then had a good ten minute spell as they began to ease into the game, without creating any goalscoring chances.
After 33 minutes the Colliers left winger made a good run to the by-line to make a good cross between keeper and defence, the strikers, however, failed to get on the end of it.
Synners had their first shot on target when a Steven Baynes cross was picked up by Michael Cater who shot, but the effort was easily caught by the Ashington keeper.
Billingham finished the half well, when Baynes moved forward again and played a one two with Jason Honeyman, Baynes shot going just wide of the post.
Half-time: Ashington 0, Synners 0
The hosts started the second period as the first, immediately attacking with purpose. After 46 minutes an attack down the right was crossed and eventually came over to the left where a shot was blazed over the bar.
Synners counter-attacked a minute later when Abel made a run down the right, but his cross eluded everyone and went harmlessly across the goalmouth and cleared.
After 54 minutes The Colliers sent in a corner that was sent goalwards but hooked clear by Paul Atkinson on the goal line. Billingham countered again from the clearance when Colin Iley attacked down the right and squared for Abel who shot without troubling the keeper.
In the 56th minute Cater volleyed from 25 yards but the effort looped over the keeper and the bar. Ashington then attacked as the game began to swing from end to end, a shot however, went straight into the arms of Jackson.
Ashington almost made the breakthrough on 59 minutes when a throw-in from the left was crossed to the far post where a shot was sent in that brought an outstanding save by Jackson onto the bar and out for a corner.
It was Billingham who took the lead, when in the 66th minute Abel won a header with his back to goal and flicked the ball into the path of the rushing COLIN ILEY, pictured right, who slotted the ball past the keeper from 10 yards.
The hosts regained their momentum immediately when in the 68th minute a long cross field pass from right to left brought a decent effort that was blocked at the last minute by Brian Close. A minute later an Ashington shot was deflected wide for a corner, then a shot from the right was fired harmlessly across the face of goal.
Synthonia came back with a ball from Baynes down the left that reached Iley who squared for Michael Jameson, but his shot skewed over the bar.
There were a couple of bookings as the game threatened to turn nasty with some late tackles. Firstly the Ashington left back for a tackle from behind on Iley, then Abel for the same offence. The resulting free kick brought Jackson into action again as he collected a goal bound effort.
In the last minute Abel had a great opportunity when he created a yard for himself to shoot, which unfortunately lacked any venom and was saved by the home keeper.
The win is Billingham's fourth in a row and takes them ahead of Consett and into fourth place in the league table, Consett do however, have six games in hand. A man of the match performance from keeper John Jackson with some great saves to preserve a clean sheet and ultimately gain Synners the points. Next up is a trip to Wearside on Saturday for the fixture at Seaham Red Star.
Teams:
ASHINGTON:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw (Perry), Baynes, Atkinson, Hanson(c), Cater, Honeyman. Close, Abel, Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Guy, Scaife, Campbell.
Referee: Mr R Clark
< Fixtures/Results
| 
