Match Report: 28/11/07
Billingham Synthonia 1, Birtley Town 2
Arngrove Northern League Cup 3rd Round
Synners went into this 3rd round match with Goalkeeper Jamie Lawrence on loan from Wolviston FC. Jason Honeyman also made a start in place of Steven Baynes
Billingham had a good early opportunity when Michael Jameson went on a good run, but shot straight at the keeper.
Loan 'keeper Lawrence was in action after 10 minutes when after a back pass almost gave the ball to an advancing Birtley striker, fortunately the ball was cleared before any damage was done.
After 24 minutes Synners' Simon Shaw sent in a cross from the left for Colin Iley to lay off for Lee Flanagan. Flanagan's shot bringing a good save out of the visiting 'keeper.
Iley broke through the Birtley rearguard on 30 minutes but shot wide with the 'keeper advancing. Then a minute later, Iley again was in the thick of it when his close range effort was blocked.
After 39 minutes Synthonia went ahead. A corner was punched clear by the goalkeeper, but fell to COLIN ILEY outside the penalty area, who sent in a precision shot into the back of the net.
Half-time: Synners 1, Birtley 0
Birtley came out for the second period a different side. They got the equaliser after 54 minutes when B SMITH collected a long ball on the right and ran on to squeeze the ball into the net at Lawrence's near post.
This gave the visitors more confidence and went on to create numerous chances. After 58 minutes a ball cut open the Synners defence from the right with Lawrence quickly off his line to force the striker to shoot wide.
Billingham responded 2 minutes later with a good run by Iley down the right flank. He received the ball and laid it off first time to Flanagan in the box who fired in at goal. The Birtley 'keeper just got enough on the ball to send it over the bar.
After 62 minutes a Birtley counter attack with pace after a Synners corner almost got rewards. This time Shaw was on hand to block the shot.
Birtley had a good 5 minute spell of pressure which created two good chances. Firstly on 64 minutes as the Billingham defence failed to clear, a shot was sent wide. Then two minutes later an attack down the left resulted in a shot into the side netting.
Synners were back on the attack after 71 minutes when Iley tried a shot from distance that went over the bar. The resulting goal kick saw Shaw make a good run, he then laid the ball into the path of Iley, whose shot rocked against the cross-bar.
Birtley took the lead after 80 minutes. A ball through the middle was latched onto by HEPPLE who finished well, to the delight of his teammates.
Synners had a great chance to send the tie into extra time when Shaw sent in a free-kick that was headed inches wide.
Billingham are now left with one cup competition to fight for - The FA Vase, as well as lifting themselves to close the gap on the leaders in the race for the Division 1 title, which by all means isn't yet over.
Teams:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Lawrence, Shaw, Honeyman, Atkinson, Hanson, Close, Flanagan, Radigan (Campbell), Beaumont (Cater), Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Collins, Guy, Winspear.
BIRTLEY TOWN:
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