Match Report: 12/03/08
West Allotment Celtic 2, Billingham Synthonia 0
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
Synthonia travelled up to West Allotment with injury problems. After Saturdays physical encounter against Chester-le-Street, Synners were without centre-backs Christian Hanson and Paul Atkinson. With Neil Campbell slotting into the back four and a start for first team coach Chris Rooney up front.
The first opportunity fell to Billingham after 10 minutes when Steve Locker fouled Rooney, giving Simon Shaw a chance to test keeper Kevin Morton with a free-kick. The keeper making a comfortable save.
An excellent chance came a minute later when a Rooney through ball set up Colin Iley. Morton was out of his goal but missed the ball, leaving Iley in on goal. His first touch, however, was a little heavy, giving Celtic's defence the chance to clear.
Celtic found the net after 14 minutes when Keith Douglass went through clear on goal to finish. His effort, although a fine finish, was ruled out for off-side.
West Allotment did take the lead after 16 minutes. John Jackson in the Synthonia goal made an excellent block, but the ball went into a crowd of players with STEVE LOCKER reacting to send the ball just over the line before being gathered. The Referees assistant confirming that the ball had crossed the line.
Celtic continued to press and another fine save from Jackson to block a West long range effort, with Jason Honeyman on hand to clear to safety. Then after 29 minutes, Jackson was again called into action to smother an effort from distance.
The hosts had another great chance after 30 minutes when a sweeping cross came in from the right that was met by a striker who slid in at the back post, only to send the ball inches wide.
There was a lengthy stoppage when West Allotment's Keith Douglass caught his studs in the turf. After treatment from both physios he was stretchered off with suspected ankle ligament damage.
Synners had a rare chance to level in the closing stages of the half. Joel Guy sent in a long throw from the right which was flicked on by Michael Cater to Michael Jameson. His shot just skimming the right upright with Morton beaten.
Half-time: Celtic 1, Synners 0
Billingham, now with the wind at their backs, had an early second half chance when Steven Baynes fed Jameson on the left wing. He sent in a teasing ball across the face of goal but no-one had gambled and the chance was gone.
Then on 56 minutes Shaw stepped up for a free-kick 25 yards out. His shot bringing a good save out of Morton who palmed the ball out for a corner.
Another in-swinging Jameson corner, after 63 minutes, almost ended up in the net when Morton missed the ball and desperate defending was needed to clear the ball off the line. Two minutes later Guy sent a long throw into the penalty area that was cleared only as far as Brian Close. His powerful shot was blocked as it was heading goalwards.
Celtic had an opportunity to further their lead on 69 minutes when a free-kick found a player who headed onto the angle of the goal.
West Allotment did extend their lead after 71 minutes. Again Jackson did well to block a stinging shot, but the ball fell to ANDY JOHNSON who made no mistake to finish.
The home side pushed on and a fine shot by Ben Richardson looked destined to find the net, before Jackson produced an excellent full-length save to deny the hosts.
Synthonia then subbed coach Rooney with assistant player/manager Barney Malone with little other options available.
Another Jameson in-swinger from the corner flag had to be tipped over the bar by keeper Morton as it headed into the roof of the net after 85 minutes. There were further injury woes for Synners when Campbell had to come off, being replace by young substitute keeper Liam Nixon to make his debut on the left of midfield as Synners re-shuffled.
Celtic pushed on and on 86 minutes Jackson had to be alert again with a good save after a shot from the centre of goal.
Billingham again came close a minute from time. A shaw free-kick heading into the net was met with a good save from Morton to deny Synners from any conselation.
With Billingham down to the bare bones af an injury ravaged squad it was always going to be difficult to get anything from an in-form Celtic side. With difficult games at home to league leaders Durham City on saturday, followed by another midweek away trip to relagation fighting Bedlington Terriers coming up, it must be hoped that some of the injuries clear up.
Teams:
WEST ALLOTMENT CELTIC: Morton, Hughes, Walmsley, Vickers, Anderson, Locker, Richardson, Johnson, Hay, Douglass, York. Subs; Brown, Watson, Gibbs, Patteson, Taylor.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Honeyman, Baynes, Shaw, Campbell (Nixon), Cater, Guy, Close, Rooney (Malone), Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Flanagan, Hanson, Scaife.
Referee: Mr P Thompson. Assistants: A Grainger & J Little
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