Match Report: 17/10/07
Peterlee Town 2, Billingham Synthonia 4
Newton Moor Durham Challenge Cup 1st Round
Synners travelled to former Northern League outfit Peterlee Town, now of the Northern Football Alliance, for this Durham Challenge Cup 1st Round tie.
Some early exchanges produced little in the way of openings from either side, with Billingham struggling to put a string of passes together, and failing to find green shirts.
Billingham's first effort on goal saw Michael Jameson fire just wide after 21 minutes. Jameson again producing a shot just wide on 28 minutes after meeting a Simon Shaw cross.
Peterlee had a long-range shot from all of 40 yards on 32 minutes, that had Synthonia 'keeper John Jackson back pedelling. The shot however, sailed wide.
After 39 minutes Synners had a great opportunity to take the lead. Shaw sent in a free-kick from the right. This was met on the volley by Neil Campbell, who couldn't direct goalward and blasted wide.
The home side took the lead a minute later on 40 minutes. A cross was sent in that 'keeper Jackson went up for, only to be impeded in the jump. The ball fell to the Peterlee number 10 who hammered the ball into an empty net. Unbelievably the referee failed to blow for a foul on Jackson, who was booked for remonstrating.
The last few minutes of the half saw both teams go close. A good Peterlee counter-attack and solo run through the middle, saw their player shoot straight at Jackson. Then Town had another chance as the forward did well to get past Paul Collins in the Synners defence to fire across goal. Right on half-time Christian Hanson fired in a shot inside the penalty area that was blocked by the Peterlee defence.
Half-time: Peterlee 1, Synners 0
Billingham took just 3 minutes of second half play to draw level. Michael Jameson sent in a corner that met the head of BRIAN CLOSE to net after 48 minutes.
Peterlee regained the advantage a minute later on 49 minutes with a corner of their own which was met with a free header and in the back of the net.
Synners drew level again after 54 minutes, again from a corner. Jameson sent the ball in which was met by CHRISTIAN HANSON to head home.
Billingham had two chances to take the lead. The first after 60 minutes saw Michael Cater fire in a shot which was easily saved by the Peterlee 'keeper. Then on 25 minutes Shaw sent in a long throw-in that was flicked on by substitute Colin Iley for Campbell to head against the cross-bar with the goal gaping.
Peterlee had a chance to regain the lead, but a great block by 'keeper Jackson thwarted the effort, which resulted in the Town forward being carried off with an injury.
After 79 minutes Billingham had one foot in the next round with a great goal. SIMON SHAW firing over the wall and into the top corner with a free-kick from 25 yards to give the Peterlee 'keeper no chance.
Synners finished off the tie on 85 minutes. This time a 35-yard free-kick from SIMON SHAW which again was perfectly executed to give the visitors a 4-2 advantage.
Billingham can thank Shaw for putting them in the next round with a brace of superb free-kicks in a match that could have gone either way, with Peterlee showing they were no pushovers.
Teams:
PETERLEE TOWN:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw, Wheatley, Collins, Hanson (c), Cater, Flanagan, Radigan (Iley), Campbell, Close, Jameson. Subs not used; Winspear, Riches, Scaife.
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