Match Report: 26/01/08
Tow Law Town 1, Billingham Synthonia 2
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Synthonia travelled to Tow Law for the last of four January games on the road, with returns to the starting line-up for Brian Close after suspension and captain Christian Hanson after a back injury.
Billingham started the game with two half chances. Firstly after 3 minutes Simon Shaw sent a ball over the top of the Lawyers defence into the path of Michael Cater who just couldn't get on the end of the pass. A minute later Flanagan was brought down to leave Shaw to try his luck from a 35 yard free-kick which was easily blocked.
Tow Law took the lead in the 9th minute when a corner from the right was failed to be cleared and RICHIE LANGTHORNE bundled the ball home from close range.
Synners nearly had another chance on 12 minutes when Shaw's free-kick was angled toward Christian Hanson in space who failed to connect.
The Lawyers almost extended their lead after 13 minutes when Lee Innes advanced into the penalty area from the right, only to shoot at the side netting.
The home side continued to press, and should have scored in the 17th minute when Innes picked up a loose ball to shoot from close range, that Synners 'keeper John Jackson did well to save.
After 24 minutes with Billingham trying to get into the game, Hanson crossed for Cater to head at goal, but failing to trouble Jack Norton in the Lawyers goal.
Synthonia levelled after 25 minutes when a short corner from Michael Jameson was crossed by Shaw for LEE FLANAGAN to meet with a precision header into the top corner of the net.
Billingham finished the half the stronger. After 38 minutes Flanagan made a good run down the left but couldn't get a shot in. Then Hanson saw a shot blocked a minute later after getting into a good position. Colin Iley then headed wide in the 42nd minute from a Shaw cross.
Half-time: Tow Law 1, Synners 1
Billingham started the second period with purpose, winning two free-kicks in the Tow Law half, but not breaching the Lawyers rearguard.
There was a scare for Synners after 58 minutes when Jackson made a poor kick out after a back pass, Steven Baynes put a Tow Law striker under pressure before Jackson recovered to smother the ball.
Billingham almost took the lead in the 60th minute when Brian Close found space on the edge of the penalty area to send in a shot that hit the cross-bar.
Tow Law had a good opportunity in the 66th minute when Kevin Dixon did well on the right. The shot however, was blocked by Christian Hanson.
The home side almost regained the lead after 70 minutes when a Langthorne free-kick almost caught out 'keeper Jackson who re-adjusted to save well, low to his right.
Billingham took the lead in the 73rd minute when SIMON SHAW stepped up to take a free-kick on the left side of goal that took a slight deflection to go past the 'keeper.
Synners almost extended their lead after 83 minutes when substitute Neil Campbell latched onto a good ball over the top to square for Colin Iley who brought a good save from 'keeper Norton.
Lawyers tried desperately to salvage something from the game with some pressure in the closing minutes, but couldn't get near enough to the Synthonia goal.
Synners ground out a victory after some early near escapes from the Lawyers as they threatened to overrun Billingham. It's good to see Christian Hanson back in the heart of the defence, which left deputising defenders Brian Close (midfield) and Simon Shaw (right-back) to slot back into their positions.
Teams:
TOW LAW TOWN: Norton, Gowland, Hollingsworth (Sullivan), Mudd(c), Renshaw, Langthorne, Dixon, Marsh, Innes, Wilkinson (Maychan), Walker (Shields). Subs not used; Allen, Hutt.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw, Baynes (Perry), Hanson(c) Atkinson, Cater, Flanagan (Campbell), Close, Honeyman, Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Radigan, Ellison, Guy.
Referee: Mr J Corkhill
< Fixtures/Results
| 
