Match Report: 19/01/08
Bishop Auckland 1, Billingham Synthonia 2
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Synthonia travelled to Dean Street, on the back of five consecutive defeats, stretching back to early december. The defence was again missing the injured Christian Hanson, with Brian Close also missing through suspension.
Synners started the game with purpose on a heavy pitch with two penalty shouts in a matter of seconds in the 2nd minute of play. The latter of which looked a certain hand-ball but was waved away by the referee.
After 4 minutes Michael Cater saw the home defence open up and advanced to shoot on goal only to see the effort go wide.
Billingham continued to press Bishop's and after 9 minutes a foul by ex-Synner Dom Gamble on Colin Iley saw a free-kick by Neil Radigan punched clear by Rookes in the Bishop's goal. The ball fell to Michael Jameson who crossed for Iley to head toward goal, Rookes however, was well positioned to make the save.
Bishop Auckland had a good penalty shout in the 14th minute, after a poor throw out by Synners 'keeper John Jackson, the ball was sent in to danger to Gavin Parkin who looked to be blocked by Simon Shaw. Again the referee was well sighted to turn down the appeals.
The game began to open up after Synners' early pressing with both sides having opportunities to score. Bishops attacked down the left after 26 minutes and a ball in from the left found Fairish to strike at goal, with visiting captain Shaw blocking the shot.
A minute later it was Synthonia on the attack which ended in a foul on Iley in a dangerous position right-centre of goal. Shaw stepped up for the free-kick only to see Rookes parry the shot to Iley who was inches away from converting.
After 34 minutes Bishops Harrison beat the offside to advance on goal only to see Jackson alert and out of his goal to smother the ball. Then the ball was back up the other end when Lee Flanagan attacked through the centre of the field, he just failed to set up the overlapping Jameson who would have had a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Synthonia finished the half the stronger and should have been in at the interval a goal up. After 42 minutes Lee Ellison laid the ball into space as Jameson arrived late to bring a save out of Rookes. Then in first half injury time, a Jameson corner was cleared to Radigan who sent in a good ball to Flanagan to head on over the 'keeper but just inches over the bar.
Half-time: Bishops 0, Synners 0
Bishop started the 2nd half the better of the two sides with a good 10 minute spell of early pressure. Full-back Liam Bramley getting a shot in that went straight at Jackson after 49 minutes.
The hosts took advantage of this possession after 54 minutes. A corner from the left by Sean Joseph was met with a header from PAUL CRAGER that went into the net from close range.
Billingham were straight at Bishops and after 55 minutes Steven Baynes produced a great long pass from the left for Iley to head just wide of the upright at the far post.
After 66 minutes substitute Craig Perry found Flanagan with his back to goal in the box. He held up the ball well to tee up Iley whose shot was blocked.
Synners were deservedly level in the 67th minute. A Jameson corner was again held well by Flanagan who passed back to CRAIG PERRY to drive home left-footed from 20 yards out.
Synthonia piled on the pressure in search of the winner. The next clear chance was in the 82nd minute when Synners received a free-kick to the right of centre of goal. Shaw this time stepped over to leave MICHAEL JAMESON to produce a lovely strike from 25 yards that left 'keeper Rookes with little chance as the net bulged.
Bishops almost grabbed an equaliser in stoppage time when an attack saw an effort go into the side netting from close range. Synthonia almost extended their lead in the closing seconds when Iley beat two players down the left touchline and laid the ball into the path of substitute Neil Campbell, who forced the 'keeper to parry out for a corner.
A welcome victory for Billingham after a poor run of results. Sometimes having to dig deep on a heavy playing surface to gain possession. An impressive performance from young Jay Honeyman, who cut out a lot of Bishops attacking play at right-back to stop the hosts from getting near goal. Billingham make the trip up to Tow Law next saturday for another away fixture in a four game sequence away from Central Avenue.
Teams:
BISHOP AUCKLAND: Rookes, Bramley, Gamble, Crossman, Crager, Moss, Fairish, Ball, Parkin, Harrison, Joseph (B Campbell). Subs not used; Di Lella, Littlefair, Richards, Foster.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Honeyman, Baynes, Atkinson, Shaw(c), Cater, Flanagan (N Campbell), Radigan, Ellison (Perry), Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Guy, Fowler, Abel.
Referee: Mr D A Law
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