Match Report: 01/03/08
Billingham Synthonia 2, Morpeth Town 3
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
On a sunny and blustery day at the PTS Stadium, Synthonia welcomed Northumberland outfit Morpeth Town for this Arngrove Northern League Division 1 fixture. Paul Atkinson, Michael Cater and Colin Iley returned to the starting line-up after Wednesdays draw at Newcastle Benfield.
Billingham settled quickly and took just 6 minutes to take the lead. Michael Jameson sent in a cross from the left to MICHAEL CATER who headed into an empty net as Morpeth keeper Ben Starford committed himself to try and win the cross.
After 12 minutes a pin-point Jameson corner was well dealt with by Starford as Brian Close was poised to head goalwards. Then in the 17th minute a Simon Shaw throw-in found Jameson who shot, the ball deflecting wide for a corner.
The visitors had a rare attack after 18 minutes with Paul Atkinson clearing the danger with a well timed interception.
Morpeth levelled in the 22nd minute. The referee awarded the visitors a penalty kick for a hand-ball offence. STEPHEN YOUNG stepped up to drive the ball low and into the back of the net, with Synners keeper John Jackson just failing to save.
The game was turned on its head two minutes later, when on 24 minutes STEPHEN YOUNG beat the offside trap to advance one on one with Jackson. The striker coolly slotted home to give the visitors the lead.
Synthonia, rocked by the two quick goals, had an opportunity in the 36th minutes with a free-kick in a good position right of goal. Jamesons effort however, was straight at Starford.
The visitors grew in confidence, taking the game to Synthonia with some neat passing play.
After 32 minutes a tackle from behind on Neil Campbell gave Billingham another set piece from a decent position. This time Shaw stepped up, but lacking any venom the ball was deflected and cleared by the visiting defence. Morpeth then had a free-kick of their own, but fired the ball straight at the Synners wall.
Billingham thought they had equalised after 41 minutes. Some good footwork from Colin Iley saw him pass to Campbell, who laid the ball to Jameson. He fired home from close range but was flagged for being marginally offside.
A minute before the break Synners were awarded another free-kick after a foul on Cater. Shaw saw his effort goalbound but Starford was a match to make a decent save.
Half-time: Synners 1, Morpeth 2
Billingham attacked from the off in the second period, and Brian Close received the ball in space outside the penalty area. He opted for a first time shot that went harmlessly wide.
Morpeth replied when Ben Pringle tried to create a yard to shoot but Close was on hand to clear any danger.
The visitors attacked down the right in the 51st minute when Damon Mullen beat two men to pick out a striker who brought a save out of Jackson. Two minutes later Mullen sent in a cross for Young at the far post. Jackson again did well to save.
The ball was quickly up the other end with Iley latching on to a half chance but shot wide. Synthonia had a great chance after 58 minutes. A Shaw cross from the right was flicked on by substitute Flanagan to Campbell at the back post. His strike hit the cross-bar, with the assistant flagging for offside.
Morpeth had a good chance to extend their lead after 63 minutes. Mullen found Rakocinski in the box, but Atkinson did well with a good saving tackle.
Synners again thought they had levelled in the 64th minute. A free kick from Shaw picked out Campbell at the back post to head home from close range. Again the effort was ruled out for offside.
Synthonia did eventually equalise in the 69th minute. Campbell saw his shot parried by Starford, with the ball falling to Jameson who's shot was turned into the net by LEE FLANAGAN from close range.
Morpeth almost regained the lead after 75 minutes, with only a last ditch tackle from Jameson preventing a goal chance.
An excellent opportunity went begging after 81 minutes. Shaw with another good delivery from a free-kick found Campbell at the back stick, but he headed over from close range.
Billingham pressed on for the winner in the closing stages, creating a few half chances. However, the visitors stunned the hosts with a killer strike on 90 minutes. Jameson lost possession and the ball was sent in to the far post where substitute KEVIN HENDERSON had time to control and fire past Jackson to give Morpeth all three points.
A frustrating afternoon for Synners, who created enough chances to win the game before the killer late blow. Billinham now have two tricky away trips to Chester-le-Street Town and West Allotment Celtic, before entertaining champions-elect Durham City in a fortnight.
Teams:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw, Baynes, Atkinson, Hanson(c), Cater, Honeyman (Guy), Close (Flanagan), Campbell, Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Nixon, Abel.
MORPETH TOWN: Starford, Phillipson, Haxon, Warwick, Nicholls(c), Wilary (Rakocinski), Mullen (Henderson), Herron, Young, Halambiec (Rue), Pringle. Subs not used; Hall, Grant.
Referee: Mr G Hart, Assistants: M Bond, T S Rogers
< Fixtures/Results
| 
