Match Report: 01/09/07
Chester-le-Street Town 2, Billingham Synthonia 1
FA Cup Preliminary Round
Synners crashed out of the FA Cup with a defeat at Chester-le-Street after a late goal, in a hard fought encounter with many tussles and bruising tackles.
Chester had two good headed chances in the first 20 minutes, both from crosses that were met unmarked at the back post, that sailed over the bar.
After 30 minutes the ever-busy Gary Hamilton sent in a shot from a short corner that went close.
Then, on 34 minutes Brian Close sent in a speculative shot from all of 45 yards that was almost pin-point, but it struck the cross-bar.
The last ten minutes of the first half saw Synthonia dominate the home team with numerous chances to take the lead. Chester-le-Street had another chance on 42 minutes with Brian Close blocking from close range to deny Town.
Synners had two more good chances before the break. The first fell to in-form Colin Iley who brought out a save from the Chester 'keeper Ian Aitken. The second was from a corner, with Christian Hanson rising to head towards goal with the 'keeper again denying Billingham.
Half-time: Chester-le-Street 0, Synners 0
The second half saw Synners kicking 'downhill' and continuing where they left off the first period with some good attacking play.
Lee Flanagan thought he had made the breakthrough, after a good run by David Wells, only to see his shot clip the post after beating the 'keeper.
Synners continued to search for the opener and were rewarded after 69 minutes. GARY HAMILTON firing in a shot from outside the penalty area that gave the 'keeper no chance.
After 78 minutes the referee sent off Synners' Paul Collins for a second bookable offence, in what seemed a rather petty decision. Especially after some of the fouls that he had let the home side get away with.
Chester-le-Street made the advantage count immediately as they equalised through Mark Anderson on 79 minutes from the resulting free-kick.
Billingham were looked to finish the tie off and on 80 minutes should have regained the lead, the cross-bar again saving the home side.
With Neil Campbell switching to defence, filling in for the departed Collins, Billingham looked to see out the game. However Chester-le-Street scored what proved to be the winner on 87 minutes. Goalkeeper Gary Riches making a save from close range only for substitute Michael Cook to fire in the rebound.
Teams:
CHESTER-LE-STREET TOWN: Aitken, Donaldson, Wake (Cook), Gilhespy, Milburn, Armstrong, Thirkell (Sager), March, Emmerson, Anderson, Draper. Subs not used; Cuthbertson, Fairless, Stoker.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Riches, Close, Gamble, Wheatley, Collins, Hanson(c), Cater, Hamilton, Flanagan, Campbell, Iley, Wells (Perry). Subs not used; Winspear, Guy, Gamble.
Referee: Mr R Clark
ATT: 103
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