Match Report: 23/04/08
Billingham Synthonia 1, Whitley Bay 5
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Synthonia's last game of the season saw them give a full debut to young goalkeeper Liam Nixon as John Jackson struggled with an achilles injury.
Nixon was called into early action in the 6th minute when a cross from the right saw him shout well to make the catch. 2 minutes later, Neil Campbell laid the ball of to Michael Jameson, but he never caught hold of his shot and the chance was gone.
Whitley Bay opened the scoring in the 10th minute when a mix-up in communication between Synners defender Paul Atkinson and Nixon, saw the keeper mis-kick. The ball fell to LEE KERR who had time to slot the ball home.
Synthonia equalised in the 13th minute. A Simon Shaw free-kick deflected wide for a corner. From the right sided flag kick, SIMON SHAW collected the short corner and sent in a cross which eluded Bay's keeper Terrance Burke, and sailed into the top corner of the net.
After 17 minutes Kerr ran in on goal for the visitors, but Shaw did well to force the striker wide and his shot went into the side netting.
Billingham then had a good ten minute spell of possession but without troubling Burke between the Whitley posts.
After 34 minutes a teasing Nick Scaife free-kick was sent into the box from the left, but Brian Close just failed to get a connection and the ball went harmlessly wide. James Magowan picked out Jameson 2 minutes later, who cut inside but the shot from his weaker foot went wide.
The game was going end to end and after 38 minutes Bay's Paul Robinson saw a shot go wide of the upright. Then just before half-time Colin Iley made a run and crossed for Michael Cater to head towards goal. The effort however, was cleared.
Half-time: Synners 1, Whitley Bay 1
Whitley started the 2nd period on the front foot and immediately had an effort on goal. Damon Robson shooting just wide from distance.
Synners were forced to reshuffle as captain Christian Hanson was forced off through injury. Close went into the back four as Jason Honeyman came into the midfield.
Synthonia had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 62nd minute. Cater's cross from the right was cut out by a defender but the ball fell to Jameson whose shot was charged down by keeper Burke.
Bay regained the lead in the 65th minute when a ball from the right was driven in low towards goal, with PAUL CHOW having the simplest of tasks to help the ball over the line and into the net.
The visitors extended their lead in the 69th minute. A Robinson free-kick from the left was headed back across goal for ANTHONY WOODHOUSE, who side footed home from a yard out.
With Synners pressing, Whitley were breaking in numbers and after 80 minutes Honeyman was forced to clear off the line from a headed effort by the visitors.
Another chance went begging for Synners a minute later. Iley made a run down the right and laid the ball back to Joel Guy. He did well to create a yard and cross for Jameson, but his shot went wide. Then in the 82nd minute Bay were back on the attack as James Moore's shot was blocked by Atkinson.
The visitors made it four after 85 minutes. A corner from the right dropped kindly for LEE KERR who made no mistake as he rifled the ball into the roof of the net.
Whitley completed the scoring 2 minutes later on 87 minutes. LEE KERR made a run into the penalty area and produced a fine finish into the top corner of the goal for his hat-trick and Bay's fifth.
Synthonia were caught by a rampant Whitley Bay who took their chances when presented. Billingham now go into the off season to re-group and prepare for next seasons campaign.
Teams:
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Nixon, Shaw (Guy), Jameson, Atkinson, Hanson(c) (Honeyman), Cater, Iley, Close, Magowan, N Scaife (Perry), Campbell. Subs not used; Jackson, Toth.
WHITLEY BAY: Burke, Taylor, Minto (Cuggy), Woodhouse, Coulson(c), Graham (Chandler), Moore, Robson, Kerr, Reay (Chow), Robinson. Subs not used. Dugdale.
Referee: Mr B Parry. Assistants: W Broadbent, D Holmes.
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