Match Report: 26/02/08
Newcastle Benfield BP 0, Billingham Synthonia 0
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
In very windy conditions this was always going to be a difficult match to play in. There were changes to the Synthonia starting eleven, with starts for Steven Baynes, Joel Guy & Anthony Abel.
Synners, facing the wind in the first period, had an early opportunity when Craig Perry drove a low shot to the near post in the 2nd minute, but the Benfield keeper was quickly down to save.
As expected due to the conditions, it was almost a lottery were any pass would end up. With even short passes being caught by the elements and possession was lost by both teams on numerous occasions.
The hosts failed to capitalise on some good positioning, preferring to shoot from distance without troubling John Jackson in the Billingham goal.
After 27 minutes, a Michael Jameson corner fell to Neil Campbell who shot across goal. The defender blocked and the ball came to Abel who, with his back to goal, tried an overhead kick that went over the bar.
A Benfield attack in the 31st minute almost caused Synners problems. A ball in from the left was dangerously blown towards goal, with Jason Honeyman having to re-adjust to head the ball over the bar and behind for a corner.
Billingham should have taken the lead after 35 minutes. A good ball through from midfield beat the home defence and saw Abel through on goal. The home keeper however, reacted quickly to save.
On the stroke of half time, Synthonia had another good opportunity. Craig Perry found Joel Guy who sent a ball into a crowded penalty area. The ball eventually fell to Abel, but again the home keeper was alert to save the low shot.
Half-time: Benfield 0, Synners 0
Benfield should have had the upper hand in the 48th minute when a shot from the right went inches past the upright with Jackson beaten.
A Jackson goal kick after 53 minutes almost caught out the home side. The ball being caught in the wind, bounced dangerously on the edge of the opposite penalty area and just over the bar with the Benfield keeper back-pedalling.
An excellent chance went begging on the hour when Simon Shaw sent in an inch perfect free-kick from the left to Brian Close at the back of a packed 6-yard box. His headed effort went inches over the cross bar.
After 63 minutes Campbell won a header and flicked the ball into the path of Abel but again the keeper was off his line to deny any goal-scoring opportunity.
A powerful Shaw free-kick 30 yards out from the right in the 68th minute whizzed past the post as Billingham really started to pile on the pressure as the hosts couldn't seem to clear their lines.
Another long range effort, this time from Baynes, sailed just over the bar after 72 minutes. Benfield had a couple of half chances to win it in the closing stages, but wind-caught deliveries prevented any clear cut goalscoring chances, with Christian Hanson and Shaw keeping a tight back four to clear any danger..
In a game hampered by the elements, Synthonia may well feel this was two points dropped rather than an away point gained. Synners coped well in the first half, and had the better goal-scoring opportunities. Credit to Benfield in the second period who tried to defend high, even though being pegged back, and limiting Synthonia to long range efforts.
Teams:
NEWCASTLE BENFIELD:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Honeyman, Baynes, Shaw, Hanson(c), Guy, Perry, Close, Campbell, Abel (Iley), Jameson. Subs not used; Nixon, Cater.
Referee: Mr R Lawson
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