Match Report: 31/10/07
Billingham Synthonia 2, Seaham Red Star 1
Arngrove Northern League Cup 2nd Round
Synners welcomed Seaham Red Star to the PTS Stadium for this League Cup 2nd Round tie. Manager Bobby Scaife made a couple of changes with Neil Campbell playing at centre-half and starts for Neil Radigan and Paul Atkinson.
The visitors made some good early moves, having two good chances in the first 15 minutes. Billingham 'keeper John Jackson making a good save to continue his great form.
It took Synners until the 17th minute to put in their first decent effort, Simon Shaw blasting wide after a good run by Colin Iley.
Seaham came forward again after 21 minutes and had a decent header on goal which Jackson did well to get down to and save to his left.
After 23 minutes Lee Flanagan found some space in the penalty area and laid a good ball off for Michael Jameson, who was closed down quickly and couldn't get a shot off.
A minute later a good cross found Brian Close at the back post, but he couldn't get over the ball and headed over the cross-bar.
Seaham had a great chance to take the lead after 28 minutes when a free-kick sent into the box was met with a fine header from Warren Byrne, only to see Neil Campbell divert the effort over the bar.
The first goal of the game came after 32 minutes when Neil Radigan sent a great through-ball in to MICHAEL JAMESON who, facing a one on one with the Seaham 'keeper Finch, coolly slotted the ball low into the net.
Red Star had a chance to equalise almost immediately, but their striker shot straight at Jackson.
After 38 minutes Synners were two up. LEE FLANAGAN, coming in from the left flank, spotted the 'keeper Finch off his line and sent in a terrific pin-point effort that dipped over the 'keepers head and into the net.
Half-time: Synners 2, Seaham 0
After the break, Synners had the first of the attacking play, when Iley and Jameson combined. The Seaham defence standing firm to deny a goalscoring opportunity.
Seaham were playing some good attacking football and had a couple of swift moves involving the right full-back Bell, who was playing more as a right winger. Firstly, a good cross was met with a header from Jennings that went just wide. Then a good run by Bell who sent in a cross that was met with a good shot from Toft that deflected wide for a corner.
After 75 minutes Shaw found Flanagan who sent in a cross that was met by Iley, who volleyed first time, only to see his effort go straight at the Seaham 'keeper.
Seaham did get some reward for their play, when in injury time, a shot from distance from HOLMES on the left went over Jackson and into the top corner.
A good first-half performance saw Synners into the next round, with Synthonia now unbeaten in ten league and cup games. They will, however, have to raise their game another level with the visit of high flying Newcastle Benfield to the PTS on Saturday.
Teams:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Atkinson, Collins (Parry), Hanson(c), Campbell (Honeyman), Close, Flanagan, Radigan, Shaw, Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Riches, Wheatley, Winspear.
SEAHAM RED STAR: Finch, Bell, Rattle, Anderson, Moan, Stout, Lumsden, Arkley, Jennings, Byrne, Toft. Subs: Holmes, Paxton.
Referee: Mr B Parry
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