Match Report: 09/02/08
Seaham Red Star 2, Billingham Synthonia 1
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Synthonia travelled to Wearside on the back of four straight league wins, three of which were away from home. The team more or less picked itself with striker Neil Campbell suspended and injuries to Simon Shaw & Steven Baynes. Craig Perry & Joel Guy started in the midfield with Jason Honeyman and Brian Close reverting to full-back. Lee Flanagan returned up front with Anthony Abel on the bench.
Synners started the game brightly putting Seaham under pressure, and after 3 minutes Colin Iley ran onto a ball down the right but couldn't pick out Lee Flanagan with the cross. There was another attacking opportunity after 7 minutes when Jason Honeyman struck a free-kick from 25 yards out to force the Seaham keeper Keith Finch to a low right handed save.
After 12 minutes a long pass out of defence from Christian Hanson was chested into the path of Michael Jameson by Iley, the cross from Jameson, however, was too long.
Seaham took the lead in the 13th minute against the run of early play when a long throw-in from Jonathan Rattle was collected by WARREN BYRNE who controlled to turn and shoot past John Jackson.
The goal momentarily fired the home side into attacking the Synners defence and after 17 minutes they won a free kick in a good position. Anthony Watson firing straight at keeper Jackson.
Synthonia continued to press but without troubling Finch between the sticks. A Flanagan cross on 22 minutes was defended well and headed over the bar, then on 22 minutes Joel Guy picked up a loose ball outside the penalty area to shoot at the keeper who held the shot.
After 30 minutes Iley controlled wide left from a Hanson pass and laid the ball inside for Michael Cater who's shot ricocheted off a defender and out for a corner.
Synthonia levelled from the corner after 31 minutes. Honeyman swung the ball in from the left which was met with a goalmouth scramble and BRIAN CLOSE was first to react to fire home from a yard out.
It was all Synthonia and after 39 minutes Cater made a strong run through the middle, advancing into the penalty area, but the ball just wouldn't fall right for a shot at goal.
Red Star regained the lead in the 42nd minute when WARREN BYRNE received the ball in space after a defensive mix-up, to run at goal and fire a low shot to Jackson's right and into the net.
Half-time: Seaham Red Star 2, Synners 1
It was 'as you were' at the start of the second period. Close crossed for Cater who's header fell for Jameson, but he failed to connect with his shot and the chance was gone.
Billingham then had another early opening when a Honeyman free kick after 47 minutes was floated to the back post where Close headed back across goal for Lee Flanagan, who's effort was saved on the line by keeper Finch.
As Synners continued to press forward, Seaham had the chance to counter-attack on 52 minutes. Again it was Byrne causing problems when, under pressure from Paul Atkinson, got a shot off that was straight at Jackson in the Synners goal.
Seaham had another opportunity a minute later when an attack down the right resulted in a shot that forced Jackson into making the save.
After 69 minutes Iley made a good run down the left but was held back by a defender. The resulting Honeyman free kick was met by Flanagan who headed over the bar. Two minutes later a long ball saw Iley advance on goal, but his powerful shot blazed over the bar.
Again Synthonia got into a good position when on 82 minutes Jameson made a run through the middle, but the shot was easily collected by the keeper. Red Star countered and won a corner which they almost scored from. The ball was passed short to Stephen Halliday who unleashed a powerful shot that went inches wide of the post.
Seaham should have extended their lead after 86 minutes. Synners wasted a corner and the clearence came to Byrne who sent Andrew Appleby clear, his shot went harmlessly wide with only the keeper to beat.
Synners keeper Jackson produced an excellent save in the 89th minute from a close range shot. Then in the dying seconds Billingham won a couple of corners, but poor deliveries prevented any chances being created.
A frustrating afternoon for Synthonia, who played well to get into good positions but lacked the finishing touch today. Seaham were made to defend for long periods but counter-attacked with speed, with space appearing as Billingham pressed for the equaliser. Next up is a Wednesday night trip to free-scoring Consett, who having been knocked out of the FA Vase this afternoon will want to get back to winning ways with their first league game in almost 40 days!
Teams:
SEAHAM RED STAR: Finch, Stout, Rattle, Anderson(c), Low, A Watson (Price), Halliday, Arkley, Appleby, Byrne, I Watson (Chapman). Subs not used; Moan, Lumsdon, Butler.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Close, Honeyman, Atkinson, Hanson(c), Cater, Flanagan, Perry, Guy (Abel), Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Nixon, Shaw, Baynes, Scaife.
Referee: Mr P Brown
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