Match Report: 19/03/08
Bedlington Terriers 2, Billingham Synthonia 3
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Synthonia made the trip up to Northumberland to face relegation threatened Bedlington Terriers on the back of five games without a win. Nick Scaife made his Billingham debut in the centre of midfield, with Brian Close moving wide right.
Synners took just 5 minutes to take an early lead when Simon Shaw sent in a free-kick from the right which went through a crowd of players to JAMES MAGOWAN who headed in for his second goal in as many games since his transfer from Billingham Town.
2 minutes later Billingham almost extended their lead. An attack down the left flank saw Michael Jameson cross to Michael Cater. He laid the ball back for Magowan to fire in a shot that went inches over the cross-bar.
A minute later, Terriers had their first opening, but Anthony Shandran's shot was blocked without troubling John Jackson in the Synthonia goal.
After 12 minutes Colin Iley did well to hold up the ball for Jameson who's first effort at goal was blocked, but picking up the rebound forced Dryden in the Bedlington goal into making the save. The clearence saw the hosts counter-attack with pace but only sending the ball over the bar.
The Terriers almost bagged a leveller in the 16th minute when Latimer had a pop at goal. His effort deflecting wide for a corner.
Bedlington equalised after 19 minutes. A neat pass found ANTHONY SHANDRAN with space to run into, and spotting Jackson off his line sent in a lob over the advancing keeper and into the net.
Synners continued to look dangerous going forward, and after 21 minutes Shaw's free-kick from the right found Jameson who shot straight at Dryden.
The hosts stunned Synthonia by taking the lead in the 24th minute. A Paul Atkinson pass aimed at Nicky Scaife was cut out by ANTHONY SHANDRAN who quickly advanced on goal and slotted the ball into the net.
Billingham created a couple more half chances. Firstly Christian Hanson sent a good long ball forward for Iley to head towards goal with Dryden comfortably saving. Then after 36 minutes Hanson sent a pin-point long pass to Brian Close wide right. He crossed but a defender did well to clear behind whilst under pressure from Magowan.
Terriers broke with speed again a minute later with McAlindon making inroads into the heart of the Synners defence and picking out Shandran with the pass. The shot however, went wide.
Just before half time Shaw's 30-yard free-kick was heading for the top corner before Dryden pulled off a fine save to preserve the home sides lead going in at the break.
Half-time: Terriers 2, Synners 1
Synthonia found the equaliser after 54 minutes. A long ball forward found Iley who again did well to hold the ball up before laying it into the path of MICHAEL JAMESON in space to the left of goal. He squeezed the shot in off the near post to tie up the game.
Billingham then scored a third after 61 minutes. A Scaife corner from the left was cleared straight back to him. Instead of crossing into the waiting penalty area he spotted MICHAEL JAMESON unmarked who fired into the far corner through a crowd to give Synners the lead.
The game then went into a period of midfield tussle with neither side creating any clear cut chances.
Jameson could have bagged his hat-trick after 83 minutes when Michael Cater did well to win the ball in the centre of the park and threaded through to the rushing Jameson, his shot however, went over and wide.
A minute later and Bedlington won a free-kick in a dangerous position 25 yards out. McAlindon's shot though sailed over the bar without troubling Jackson.
Bedlington shouted in vain for a penalty in the last minute of the game. The referee having no hesitation in waiving play-on as the Striker lost his balance and went to ground.
Overall a deserved three points for Billingham who did enough to be leading at the break but found themselves a goal down. John Jackson in the Synners goal had very little to do in the second period as Synners controlled the midfield with Magowan and Iley working tirelessly in support. Next up is the second Derby game of the season at neighbours Billingham Town on Easter Monday morning where Synthonia will endeavour to put right the 4-1 reverse on Boxing Day.
Teams:
BEDLINGTON TERRIERS: Dryden, Hamilton, Lang, Eastway, Lowther, Latimer, McAlindon, Stobbs, Reay, Shandran, Lawson. Subs; Milner, Ludlow, Middleton, Gibb.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw, Baynes, Atkinson, Hanson (c), Cater, N Scaife, Close, Magowan, Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Guy, Nixon, Abel, Flanagan, Pery.
Referee: Mr J Buglass. Assistants: G Hopper & G McMullen
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