Match Report: 16/01/08
West Auckland Town 3, Billingham Synthonia 2
Arngrove Northern League Division 1
On a bitterly cold night at Darlington Road, Synthonia went in search of a win on the back of four consecutive defeats.
The game opened brightly as both teams looked to create chances. The first real chance fell after 16 minutes when West Auckland had a long range effort that John Jackson smothered.
The hosts however, did take the lead after 20 minutes. A foul by Simon Shaw to the left of the penalty area saw the free-kick well converted by BRIAN FAIRHURST, who left Jackson rooted as the ball blazed to the 'keepers left.
Synthonia had a great chance to draw level after 25 minutes when Neil Radigan's free-kick was inch perfect for the un-marked Michael Cater to head over the bar.
Again it was Billingham making the running after 33 minutes when Neil Campbell threaded the ball to the rushing Colin Iley, but the striker sent his shot over the bar without troubling the West 'keeper Wilkinson.
After 38 minutes Radigan won possession in midfield and laid the ball off to Iley wide right. His cross was spilled by Wilkinson and Michael Jameson picked up the loose ball only to see his shot blocked by a defender.
Synthonia thought they had a reward for all their attacking play when a Jameson free-kick was headed over Wilkinson by a defender and into the net. The assistant referee however, had raised his flag for an offside.
West punished Synners for missed chances when deep into first half injury time they received a free-kick in a good position to the right of goal. This time it was BRYAN STEWART who fired over the wall and into the net to leave Jackson no chance.
Half-time: West Auckland 2, Synners 0
Billingham made a change at the interval with ex-West player manager Lee Ellison coming on for Neil Campbell, who having been booked looked in danger of seeing red throughout the first period.
Two good early chances set the tone for an exciting second half. First Iley's shot was saved by Wilkinson, then the resulting corner saw Synners have the ball in the back of the net. Again the 'goal' failed to stand, this time the referee blowing for a foul.
After 50 minutes Radigan's cross picked out Ellsion who headed over from close range.
West then had two chances with free-kicks in dangerous positions. Firstly after 53 minutes Robinson got on the end of a ball to head straight at Jackson. Then after 58 minutes a Fairhurst dead-ball took a slight deflection and went inches past the post.
Synners were back on the attack 2 minutes later when Jameson found space in the middle of the park and sent a good ball over the top of the defence for Iley whose shot dipped too late and went harmlessly over the cross-bar.
Iley was in the thick of the action again after 64 minutes when he left his marker for dead to advance on goal. Iley was then tripped from behind and the referee had no option to give a penalty kick and send the player off for a second yellow card, although a straight red would not have been harsh as Iley only had the 'keeper to beat. SIMON SHAW stepped up to fire to Wilkinson's right with the 'keeper going the opposite way.
Synners were deservedly level after 72 minutes. COLIN ILEY received the ball from full-back Steven Baynes and skipped past two defenders to blast into the net with a fine finish, leaving Wilkinson no chance of the save.
With the momentum now in favour of the visitors their seemed only one likely outcome. West however had other ideas and after 75 minutes a cross was sent in to the unmarked DALE JARDINE at the far side who produced a good half volley to fire past the diving Jackson to give the home side the lead once more.
Billingham came close again after 81 minutes. Brian Close was brought down by Bromley to the right of the goal. Shaw's free-kick was gathered well by Wilkinson between the sticks.
Synthonia kept pressing and had a further two good chances in injury time. A cross came in that Iley slid in at the far post only for Wilkinson to save. Then Jameson produced a good delivery from the corner only for Wilkinson to get a good punch to safety and preserve the home sides win.
Again not a bad performance from Synthonia with West Auckland's 'keeper Alan Wilkinson in fine form to thwart numerous chances. Billingham travel again for their next match, this time to West's near neighbours Bishop Auckland on Saturday.
Teams:
WEST AUCKLAND TOWN: Wilkinson, Fairhurst, Bromley, Nicholson, Middleton, Stewart, Robinson, Richmond, Jardine, Freary, Owen. Subs not used; Chapman, G Close.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, B Close, Baynes, Atkinson, Shaw(c), Cater, Guy (Abel), Radigan, Campbell (Ellison), Iley, Jameson. Subs not used; Perry.
Referee: Mr J Traynor
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