Match Report: 24/11/07
Northallerton Town 3, Billingham Synthonia 2
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Synners' eleven game unbeaten run in the league came to an abrupt end in a keenly contested match at The Regency Stadium, Northallerton.
Synners made three changes from the side which drew at home to Shildon on Wednesday. The most notable was coach Barney Malone in between the sticks after a goalkeeping crisis. With Paul Atkinson replacing the ill Shaun Hope in the heart of defence, and Joel Guy stepping in for James Beaumont.
Town had the first chance of the game when, after 6 minutes they sent a ball through the middle for Daniel Earle. Malone got a slight touch on the ball before the striker sent his shot wide.
Billingham took the lead on 11 minutes, after some good work by Neil Radigan and Joel Guy out wide, the ball came to LEE FLANAGAN in the penalty area. With his back to goal he turned to shoot past Norton in the Town goal.
Northallerton could have equalised after 25 minutes when they received a free-kick after a Simon Shaw foul. The ball was sent in with Anthony Hume shooting straight at Malone, before being cleared.
After 35 minutes the home side were level. There was a scramble in the penalty area and the ball fell to Jankowicz whose shot deflected off SIMON SHAW past Malone.
Synners didn't have to wait long to go ahead again. After 37 minutes Lee Flanagan was blatantly pushed in the box by Harmsworth whilst bearing down on goal. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot for a penalty kick. SIMON SHAW stepped up and fired the ball into the back of the net to the goalkeeper's right with Norton going left.
Northallerton were back level on the stroke of half time. LUKE BLYTHWAY side-footing in through a crowd of players from a Fairlamb throw to end an entertaining first half.
Half-time: Northallerton 2, Synners 2
Town took the lead for the first time in the game after 55 minutes. Again there was a packed penalty area as the Synners' defence tried to protect Malone. The ball evaded the defence and substitute WHENSLEY shot at goal which somehow ended up in the net.
Synners almost equalised after 59 minutes when a free-kick was sent in that Norton in the Northallerton goal tipped over the cross-bar.
2 minutes later Synners should have been level. Colin Iley made a good run in the inside right position before unselfishly squaring for Flanagan. The pass however, was just a little behind Flanagan, who was totally un-marked, but he managed to get a shot in that was saved, Iley then netted from close range but was in an offside position.
Then after 66 minutes as Billingham piled on the pressure in search of a leveller, Shaw shot from distance but his effort went wide.
A minute later Town should have been further ahead when a shot was sent over Malone, but went wide with the goal gaping.
After 70 minutes Synners came close again. A free-kick from the left was met by substitute Neil Campbell at the back post. He headed back across goal for Flanagan who headed over.
Northallerton then had a further two chances to extend their lead. Firstly a shot that went wide, then after 74 minutes were denied when Atkinson made a goal saving tackle in the penalty area to deny the home side.
Synners received a second penalty kick after 76 minutes. A ball was sent through for Campbell who, as he was running past the last defender was tripped inside the box. The ball being adjudged to be going away from goal, otherwise a definate sending off offence. Simon Shaw stepped up, again sending the ball to the goalkeeper's right. This time however Norton guessed correctly to save the spot-kick.
The game got a little scrappy in the last ten minutes with Billingham working overtime to protect Malone as well as push on for the equaliser. Paul Atkinson was sent off in injury time for a second bookable offence to complete a miserable afternoon in Yorkshire for Synthonia.
In a hard fought and entertaining game, Synners can feel a little unlucky not to get something out of the game. The players worked their socks off for the cause and on another day would have won this game easily. It is this attitude which has been instrumental in the unbeaten run.
Synners now look forward to a League Cup 3rd Round game at home to 2nd Division high flyers Birtley Town on Wednesday evening. Hopefully the goalkeeping crisis will be resolved before that particular game.
Teams:
NORTHALLERTON TOWN: Norton, Barker, Lee Blythway, Harmsworth, Jankowicz, Fairlamb, Fowler, Hume, Luke Blythway, Leneaghan, Earl. Subs; Hetherington, Clements, Whensley, Toman, Hinton.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Malone, Shaw, Baynes, Atkinson, Hanson(c), Close, Flanagan, Radigan, Guy (Campbell), Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Collins, Cater, Winspear.
Referee: Mr T Peart
Att: 92
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