Match Report: 05/01/08
Sunderland Nissan 1, Billingham Synthonia 0
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
In the first of five consecutive away trips Synners travelled to title contenders Sunderland Nissan. Changes were made after three defeats with Michael Cater, Jason Honeyman & Neil Radigan starting in midfield.
Synners started brightly with the wind at their backs, and after 4 minutes Simon Shaw had a crack at goal that was straight at Newton in the Nissan goal. A minute later Shaw floated in a free-kick that met Neil Campbell's head and went inches over the bar.
After 19 minutes Nissan broke with speed as a Synners attack broke down. Scott laid the ball off for Hodgson who laid on a perfect pass for Cogdon who pull his shot inches wide of the far post.
A minute later Synners had to re-shuffle when captain Christian Hanson went off injured with what looked like a hamstring pull, to be replaced by Michael Jameson.
Nissan had another chance after 24 minutes when Cullen crossed for Ryan who poked his shot inches wide. A minute later and Billingham were back on the attack with Cater finding space on the left, he picked out Brian Close who forced the 'keeper into making a save.
The game then swung end-to-end with Nissan having an opportunity to score when right-back Scott found Cogdon who fired just wide. Then Jameson got into space for Billingham only to pull his shot wide.
Nissan could of taken the lead on 39 minutes. Tarrant with the attempt at goal that went wide with Synners 'keeper John Jackson off his line.
Half-time: Nissan 0, Synners 0
Nissan attacked from the start of the second period with former Synthonia man David Wells having a long range effort after 47 minutes that went just wide.
Then after 52 minutes a Wells cross left Jackson struggling but the 'keeper managed to smother the ball with Nissan players ready to pounce. A minute later Jackson was called into action again as Nissan started to put the Synners rearguard under pressure. This time he was off his line quickly to collect as Tarrant looked to get on the end of a through-ball.
In the 58th minute Nissan should have taken the lead when Cullen fired in a free-kick that the Synners defence failed to clear. Jackson twice making saves to deny close range efforts from the home team.
Billingham withstood the Nissan pressure and almost got the opener after 75 minutes. Neil Radigan sending in a free kick after Colin Iley was brought down. A Nissan defender clearing the ball with three Synners players waiting to tap in to the net.
Nissan did open the scoring and sealed the three points on 80 minutes when a free kick was sent in, substitute David Tait was the first to react to send the ball passed Jackson.
A better display from Synthonia after some below-par performances. The defence looked stronger even after Hanson went off, and the midfield battled hard to match Nissan in winning possession. With only the goalscoring lacking, Scaife might have to look at other options, especially with three strikers on the bench in Abel, Ellison and Flanagan, the latter of which has bagged 9 goals this season.
Teams:
SUNDERLAND NISSAN: Newton, Scott, Wells, Ryan, P Stephenson, Keegan(c), Cullen (Tait), Walklate, Tarrant, Cogdon, Hodgson (Ford). Subs not used; Milner, A Stephenson, Stewart.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw, Baynes, Atkinson, Hanson(c) (Jameson), Close, Cater, Radigan, Campbell (Flanagan), Iley, Honeyman. Subs not used; Ellison, Abel, Beaumont.
Referee: Mr P Brown
Att: 85
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