Match Report: 18/08/07
Billingham Synthonia 2, Northallerton Town 1
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Synners left it late to progress in the FA Cup this afternoon at the PTS Stadium.
Northallerton settled into the game immediately and took the game by the scruff of the neck. Billingham failing to get any kind of foothold on proceedings, Northallerton winger Daniel Earle proving to be a handful with some good runs.
Town had a few chances to take the lead without any real response from the home team. The highlight of the half was when Synners' keeper Jackson denied Town's Michael Chui at point blank range.
The Billingham defense looks a lot stronger this term, led by the impressive Hope. Synthonia, however, were fortunate not to be trailing as the referee blew for half-time.
Half-time: Synners 0, Town 0
After the break Synners came out with a lot more meaning, obviously Scaife and co. had read the riot act at the break.
Cater and Radigan in the midfield began to link up better with the front two of Campbell and Iley. Although there still seems something missing.
Billingham 'keeper Jackson was forced off with an injury late in the second half, a lengthy stoppage which ultimately dictated the outcome of the match. He was replaced by Gary Riches between the sticks.
In the 84th minute as a replay loomed ever closer, COLIN ILEY seemed to get the last touch on a Neil Campbell effort to give Synners one foot in the next round. Clarification still needed for this as it could also have been an own goal.
The celebrations were short lived, as, almost instantly Northallerton hit back with a close range header from Paul Hinton that looped over stand-in 'keeper Riches to make it 1-1.
Then, in the last minute, Synthonia got a free kick 25 yards out after Campbell was bundled down by an over-worked Northallerton defence. Neil Radigan stepped up with a cracking shot that rocked the cross-bar.
The spectators must have been thinking that extra time was being played as the clock ticked an everlasting injury time. Synners however, pressed on for the winner, and were rewarded as Hope steamed forward to win a corner. The resulting flag-kick saw Campbell flick-on for SHAUN HOPE to bag the winner. His third goal in three matches.
The full-time whistle followed soon afterwards, with some Northallerton Officials and fans none too pleased with the referee for the amount of stoppage time played.
Teams:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson (Riches), Close, Gamble, Hope(c), Hanson, Cater (Guy), Perry, Radigan, Campbell, Iley, Honeyman. Subs not used; Hamilton, Atkinson, Collins.
NORTHALLERTON TOWN:
ATT: 158
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