Match Report: 29/03/08
Billingham Synthonia 3, Spennymoor Town 1
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Billingham, with just one win in the last eight games, welcomed Spennymoor Town to the PTS Stadium. Craig Perry, Paul Atkinson and Simon Shaw returned to the starting line-up.
Synthonia started the game well and created an early chance in the 3rd minute when a short Michael Jameson corner saw Simon Shaw send in a shot that was looping into the net before Spennymoor keeper Nikki Lawson tipped over the bar. From the corner, Jameson this time crossed and Brian Close saw his header hit the cross-bar.
The Moors attacked down the left in the 4th minute but Karl Richards' cross was cut out by Shaw to prevent any danger.
In the 6th minute a Shaw ball forward found James Magowan, who controlled to sh0ot on the turn. Only to see his effort go just over the bar. The two combined again after 8 minutes when Magowan looked to meet a Shaw pass, but Lawson punched clear under pressure.
The Moors thought they had the lead in the 14th minute when they netted, however, the assistant had flagged for offside. The visitors then created a chance after Stuart Irvine put the ball into the path of Jamie Clarke, but his shot was blocked by Christian Hanson.
In the 28th minute Brian Close won the ball in midfield and picked out Magowan who shot, but he didn't fully connect and the chance was gone. Then a minute later Perry fed Magowan, who passed to Jason Honeyman on the left. He advanced on goal but saw his shot go over the bar.
Billingham took the lead in the 35th minute. Honeyman's ball forward was aimed at Magowan, and under pressure from Lawson the ball ran loose, and COLIN ILEY sped in to rifle into the roof of the net.
Synthonia extended their lead after 42 minutes. Jameson did well to keep the ball in play and his cross saw Iley flick the ball on for JAMES MAGOWAN to head in from close range.
Half-time: Synners 2, Spennymoor 0
The visitors had more of the early play in the second period with the wind at their backs. However John Jackson in the Synthonia goal was rarely troubled until the 61st minute, when a corner went to the back post and Jackson had to back peddle to see the ball onto the upright.
Billingham's first real opportunity of the half came a minute later. Magowan attacked down the left and crossed for Michael Cater, but his shot went straight into the arms of Lawson.
After 65 minutes Irvine shook off Close to go in on goal down the right. His weak shot never troubling Jackson. Irvine was in on goal again a minute later with an excellent one on one opportunity against Jackson. The keeper stood tall to make the save and collect the loose ball.
The visitors continued to press Synners back and after 74 minutes Richard Storr brought a good full length save out of Jackson to deny the Moors.
Synthonia went 3-0 up with a rare 2nd half attack after 79 minutes. Michael Cater did well to dispossess the Moors defence and squared for COLIN ILEY to score his 2nd of the game from close range.
Synners could have been even further ahead 2 minutes later when a Shaw free-kick was heading into the net before Lawson intervened to make the save and see the ball out for a corner.
Spennymoor pulled a goal back after 83 minutes when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to substitute STEVE ROBERTS who couldn't miss from 2 yards out to give the visitors some consolation.
A game of two halves saw Synthonia take their chances when needed. Next up is a trip to Dean Street, Shildon for a league fixture next Saturday, 5th April. Shildon are on top form at the moment, and have edged into fourth place in the table.
Teams:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw, Honeyman, Atkinson, Hanson(c), Cater, Perry, Close (Campbell), Magowan, Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Nixon, Flanagan, Abel, Aithwaite.
SPENNYMMOR TOWN: Lawson, Raw (Beesley), Bishop, Ward (Jarvis), Foster(c), Wilkinson, Waite, Irvine, Clarke, Storr (Roberts), Richards. Subs not used; Ainsley, Hysen.
Referee: Mr G Beswick, Assistants: M Ryan, P Yates
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