Match Report: 08/03/08
Chester-le-Street Town 3, Billingham Synthonia 3
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Synthonia visited Chester-le-Street making just one change from the defeat against Morpeth last week, with Anthony Abel starting up front in place of Colin Iley who started on the bench.
The hosts had an early opportunity when a Craig Marron free-kick tested John Jackson in the Billingham goal. The shot going straight at the Synners stopper.
Synthonia, attacking against the wind, won a couple of corners that were well dealt with by the Cestrians defence. After 15 minutes Anthony Abel found Neil Campbell in space, but he pulled his shot wide of the post. Then a minute later Jason Honeyman made good advances down the left and fed Simon Shaw, who in turn picked out Campbell, but again the home defence stood tall.
Chester-le-Street took the lead in the 20th minute. Billingham conceded a couple of corners and a cross from the left found substitute ANDREW ARMSTRONG who headed unchallenged into the back of the net.
Abel was forced off after 21 minutes with a hamstring injury, being replaced by Colin Iley.
The home side extended their lead in the 26th minute when a low ball threaded in from the right caught out the Billingham defence, with ANTHONY HEALER making a run beyond the back four and getting a slight touch on the ball which rolled agonisingly into the net.
Chester continued to take advantage with the wind at their backs. After 37 minutes a cross from Glenn Reay, aimed at Scott Emmerson at the back post, was cut out by Paul Atkinson with a timely interception.
Synthonia almost pulled one back on 39 minutes when a Simon Shaw free-kick came to Michael Jameson, who set himself up to shoot, but the Chester-le-Street keeper Ian Aitken was a match to make the save.
Twice Synthonia were left mystified with refereeing decisions. Both times the hosts were caught offside with the ball going harmlessly out of play behind. The official giving Billingham the 'advantage' of goal-kicks 30 yards back against a blustering wind.
Chester-le-Street could have extended their lead in the closing minutes of the half. Reay's cross this time did find Emmerson who headed wide.
Half-time: Chester 2, Synners 0
Synners came out for the second period all guns blazing and should have had a a goal in the first minute. Campbell did well to win a header and flicked the ball into the path of Iley who finished well, but he was flagged for offside.
Then on 51 minutes an Iley cross was aimed at Honeyman who had made a good run forward, however, the Cestrians skipper Robert Draper had read the situation and intercepted the ball to clear.
The hosts had a good opportunity after 54 minutes when Christian Hanson mis-judged the path of the ball. Emmerson was on hand to run in on goal and have a shot, but his effort went wide.
Synthonia pulled one back in the 58th minute. Shaw sent in a perfect free-kick from the right for BRIAN CLOSE to fire in a header.
Billingham continued to attack and forced numerous corners which came to nothing. Then after 64 minutes they got the deserved equaliser. A Honeyman corner from the left went through a crowd and came to BRIAN CLOSE who stabbed home from close range for his and Synthonia's second.
It was all Synners now and after 66 minutes Iley made a good run down the left flank and cut in at the by-line. His cross found substitute Lee Flanagan who, under heavy pressure, somehow saw the ball over the bar.
Synners had a good shout for a penalty after 69 minutes when Campbell was bundled over in the box, but the referee was having none of it and waved play on. A minute later and a perfect Shaw free-kick from 30 yards was tipped over the bar by Aitken as it was heading into the roof of the net.
Billingham took the lead for the first time in the game in the 75th minute. After some good play from Michael Cater in midfield, he laid the ball wide to Honeyman on the right. His cross was met by NEIL CAMPBELL who timed his jump to perfection and rose to head home.
The home side rallied and a free-kick from Marron evaded a packed 6-yard line, eventually coming to Honeyman at the back post who cleared.
Chester-le-Street were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute when Shaw handled the ball in the penalty area. SCOTT EMMERSON stepped up to send Jackson the wrong way with a fine finish in the bottom right corner of the net to give the Cestrians the equaliser.
Their were some ugly scenes approaching the 85th minute. A foul on Close was overlooked and in the same instance Campbell fouled a home player. Emmerson saw red with a scything attack on Campbell with the referee having no hesitation in sending off the striker.
Although being 2-0 down at half time, Billingham never looked out of the game, and but for the late penalty may well have taken all three points. This leaves Synners with just two points from three games, where nine points were certainly there for the taking. Next up is a mid-week trip up to West Allotment Celtic before entertaining league leaders Durham City at the PTS next Saturday.
Teams:
CHESTER-LE-STREET TOWN: Aitken, Jones (Curry), Wake, Marron, Milburn (Armstrong), Draper(c), Reay, Cuthbertson, Emmerson, Healer (Gilhespy), McIntosh. Subs not used; Allen, Craggs.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw, Baynes, Atkinson (Guy), Hanson(c), Cater, Honeyman, Close, Campbell, Abel (Iley), Jameson (Flanagan). Subs not used; Nixon, Rooney.
Referee: Mr G Wallace. Assistants: M Bunting & S E Whittaker
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