Match Report: 15/03/08
Billingham Synthonia 2, Durham City 4
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
WITHOUT a win in four games, Billingham Synthonia faced a tough task when they entertained the Arngrove Northern League runaway leaders Durham City at the PTS Stadium this afternoon.
An injury ravaged Synners squad was boosted with the inclusion of new signings James Magowan from Billingham Town and Nicky Scaife from Spennymoor.
Synners started brightly and had a good chance after two minutes when Simon Shaw hit a good 25 yard free-kick that John Caffry could only parry and then scramble clear.
Synners took the lead a minute later when Flanagan set up MICHAEL JAMESON to hit a powerful first time 15 yard strike past Caffry and into the roof of the net.
The visitors’ first chance came in the 13th minute when some good approach work ended with a first time shot from John Toft that flew inches over the bar.
Durham started to settle and forced three corners in quick succession. However it was Synners who broke well and created a half chance when Perry headed the ball across the penalty area to James Magowan, but his header was comfortably saved by Caffry.
In the 27th minute Durham went close when Graydon played the ball to the far post for Toft to run onto, but Jackson was quickly out to block his shot.
Durham eventually scored the equaliser after 28 minutes when another through ball from Graydon set up ADAM JOHNSON to lob the ball over Jackson and into the net.
A minute later Durham took the lead when Richardson looked to be offside but was allowed to continue and crossed the ball for JOHNSON to score his second with a sidefoot from six yards.
Half-time: Synners 1, Durham 2
Synners were level within 30 seconds of the restart when Honeyman hit a long ball to the far post where Cater knocked back across goal for JAMES MAGOWAN to score from close range on his debut.
Durham started to push forward and created two half chances with a low free-kick from Graydon that was well handled by Jackson and a long range effort from English that went wide of the far post.
The game was flowing from end to end and it was Durham who almost regained the lead in the 70th minute when Toft hit a low 20 yarder that was deflected onto the post and wide for a corner.
A minute later the visitors had another chance when Richardson hit a speculative 30 yard strike that went wide.
Durham took the lead again after 78 minutes when Bowes found room on the left and crossed for STEVEN RICHARDSON to fire past Jackson from close range.
Durham made sure of the points with only a minute left on the clock. Johnson headed the ball across the box for STEVEN RICHARDSON to score his second goal with a first time shot that crept just inside the post.
A good performance by Synthonia who came up against a very strong Durham City side who look likely to go on and comfortably win the championship. Next up is a trip to Bedlington Terriers on Wednesday evening before the Easter Monday derby game at Billingham Town next week.
Teams:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Honeyman (Guy), Baynes, Shaw, Hanson(c), Cater, Perry (Atkinson), Close, Magowan (Iley), Flanagan, Jameson. Subs not used; Nixon, N Scaife.
DURHAM CITY: Caffry, Harrison, Capper, Dodds, Bowes, R Smith, Toft (Dixon), Graydon(c), Richardson (C Smith), Johnson, English (Davison). Subs not used; Morris, Farrell.
Referee: Mr P Davison, Assistants: G Humphrey, J Hunt
Match Report: Graham Craggs
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