Match Report: 27/10/07
Durham City 0, Billingham Synthonia 0
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Synners travelled to league leaders Durham City on the back of an unbeaten run stretching back nine league and cup games.
It was Durham who made the early running with a good ten minute spell at the start of the match, having a good penalty shout after 8 minutes as Sean Hope tussled with a City forward that was waved away by the referee.
Billingham's first effort came after 16 minutes when Neil Campbell got into a good position outside the penalty area but sent his shot wide.
Durham were straight back on the attack a minute later as Richardson squeezed in an effort from close range only to be blocked by Christian Hanson.
After 21 minutes Lee Flanagan, who has regained his scoring boots with three goals in three games, met a Campbell pass only to send his shot over the bar.
City should have been ahead after 27 minutes when Dodds' header from a corner at the near post went just wide of the upright.
After 33 minutes Synners' Campbell latched on to a loose ball after a James Beaumont corner and fired towards goal. The ball struck Graydon on the line, and the referee's assistant waved his flag and signalled for a hand-ball. After discussion between the two officials, the referee sent Graydon off and awarded Synners a penalty.
Ex-Durham player Campbell stepped up to take the spot-kick, only to see ex-Synner 'keeper John Mohan dive the right way and save to his left.
Synners kept up the pressure and after 35 minutes a cross from Colin Iley saw Beaumont volley towards goal, only to see his effort sail over the cross-bar.
On 42 minutes Durham's Appleby caught Synners defence sleeping and went through on 'keeper John Jackson, who raced out of the penalty area before retreating as Synners players raced back. Appleby couldn't finish and sent the shot harmlessly over.
In first half stoppage time Flanagan had a go at goal but shot straight at Mohan in the Durham goal.
Half-time: Durham 0, Synners 0
It was Durham who had the first chance after the restart as Richardson sent in a shot that was just wide of Jacksons goal.
After 57 minutes Durham, having good possession, came forward again. This time Dodds shot from distance, but again saw the effort go harmlessly wide.
2 minutes later a Simon Shaw cross found Campbell at the far post, who could only direct his effort into the side netting.
After 62 minutes Campbell was again in the thick of the action as he broke Durham's offside trap and sent an inviting cross into space in the penalty area. Flanagan just couldn't make up the ground to get on the end of the pass.
Durham, who never looked a man short could have went ahead after 84 minutes when their forward produced a good shot in the box, but Synners 'keeper Jackson was equal to it with a good block.
The home side could have sealed a win in injury time. Jackson was again on hand with a good full-length save, to give Synners a good away point.
In a match that Billingham would have probably taken a draw beforehand, it was ten-man Durham that had the better efforts. Durham's 'keeper Mohan only had two saves to make including Campbell's penalty, as the Synners forward line failed to hit the target. With John Jackson in the Synners goal the far busier of the two goalkeepers.
Teams:
DURHAM CITY: Mohan, Harrison, Capper, Dodds, Bowes, Smith, Butler, Graydon, Appleby, Richardson, Morris. Subs: Bell, Caffry, English, Clarke, Pitt.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw, Collins (Radigan (Dunwell)), Hope(c), Hanson, Close, Flanagan, Beaumont, Campbell, Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Riches, Atkinson, Honeyman.
Referee: Mr J Buglass
ATT: 165
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