Match Report: 26/12/07
Billingham Synthonia 1, Billingham Town 4
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
After almost three weeks without a game with two away fixtures being postponed, Synthonia welcomed neighbours Billingham Town for this Boxing Day derby match at the PTS Stadium. Synners were forced to reshuffle with suspensions to defenders Christian Hanson & Paul Atkinson.
Matty Peverell made his full debut in midfield with Brian Close stepping in at Centre-Back to partner Paul Collins. Neil Campbell returned from injury on the bench with new signing Anthony Abel also a substitute.
The first real chance fell to Synners as Joel Guy got forward from midfield only to shoot straight at Collier in the Town goal after 6 minutes.
Town came into the game after 9 minutes when a cross from the left was met by a header that went harmlessly over the cross-bar.
Synthonia took a deserved lead after 20 minutes. COLIN ILEY advanced into the penalty area from the right and sent a delightful chip over the head of Collier from an angle into the net.
Town replied four minutes later when a foul was spotted in the penalty area by the referee who had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. HUGGINS stepped up to score the spot-kick to John Jackson's left after 24 minutes.
Synners had another good ten minute spell with two excellent chances to regain the lead. Firstly in the 28th minute Michael Jameson turned well in the penalty area only to fire at the side netting, then after 30 minutes a Simon Shaw free-kick was met by the head of Lee Flanagan who couldn't hit the target and sent the effort just wide.
Town finished the first period the stronger of the two teams. After 33 minutes a speculative shot from distance went wide. Then after 36 minutes the visitors took the lead. MAGOWAN picked up a pass from the left to score from outside the penalty area into the corner of the net.
Half-time: Synners 1, Town 2
Synthonia brought on Campbell for Peverell at the break with Iley going out wide. Campbell was soon in the thick of the action as he met a Flanagan cross on 48 minutes that was headed inches over the bar.
After 56 minutes Town had an excellent opportunity to extend their lead when a break saw them with a three against two situation, the square ball was cut out and went behind for a corner.
Synthonia should have been level after 64 minutes when Campbell received the ball close to the penalty spot as the Town defence were claiming offside. Collier however stood tall to deny the striker with a save. The resulting corner was almost productive with Green and White shirts attacking the ball, a Town defender saving his team with a timely intervention to put the ball out of play for another corner, which was cleared.
Town broke with numbers after 66 minutes with Banks producing a shot from the left that Jackson couldn't hold, MAGOWAN was on hand to side-foot in the loose ball for his second of the game and Town's third.
The visitors extended their lead after 71 minutes when Guy lost possession in the midfield. The ball was threaded through to BANKS who produced a good finish beyond Jackson.
Town then had a further chance 2 minutes later as Synners pushed up, but Jackson gathered the ball well to deny any further misery.
Campbell almost pulled a goal back after 80 minutes when, with his back to goal, he controlled well to turn and shoot straight at Collier.
No lack of effort from Synners and on a different day they could have converted their first half chances, instead of chasing the game. Synthonia now welcome bottom club Jarrow Roofing to the PTS Stadium this coming Saturday, with the same commitment needed to get back to winning ways.
Teams:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw, Baynes, Collins, Close(c), Guy, Flanagan, Peverell (Campbell), Beaumont (Cater), Iley, M Jameson (A Abel). Subs not used; Honeyman, Radigan.
BILLINGHAM TOWN: Collier, Foster, Hutchinson, Casey, Diamond, Huggins, Flocket (D Abel), McKie (Banks), N Jameson, Magowan, Banks (Wray).
Referee: Mr G Eltringham
Att: 372
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