FA Vase Third Round – 15 December 2012

SPENNYMOOR TOWN V BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA

A week late, at the third attempt, the all Northern League match up at Brewery Field will finally get under way. After the frost and the snow it is a balmy 7 or 8 degrees, cloudy but dry, and the lights are on already for this last game of 2012 (barring a replay). 

Since the original postponement the draw for the next round has been made, so there is an additional incentive to the winners of a home tie to Lordswood from Essex. Spennymoor are favourites, their only loss so far this season has been in the FA Cup; Billingham are having an indifferent year in the league but usually raise their game for the Vase.

Disappointingly Synthonia have forsaken their traditional green and white quarters for yellow shirts and blue shorts; reassuringly Spennymoor stick to the black & white stripes.

In the first minute, Spennymoor attack down the left with the speedy Cogden. The ball is passed along the edge of the penalty area until a shot comes in from Graydon. Billingham keeper Moody saves well, parrying to his right, but in his effort to save the corner the ball slips from his grasp. Cogden pounces and tucks the ball into the goal from the narrow angle.

Spennymoor try to take further advantage of the stunned Synners. Cogden twice runs into the box at speed and is sent tumbling, but the referee considers the tackles fair enough or possibly plays a dubious advantage.

However Billingham survive, regroup and get a foothold in the game. Their main tactic is the through ball down the middle. Although offside more often than not, the quick Crossen occasionally does beat the trap and threaten; but goalkeeper Dean is equally quick off his line and twice picks the ball off the forward’s toe.

The half time whistle is greeted with an eerie silence. Spennymoor fans are not impressed by the failure to build on the gift start, and those few here from Billingham have not really seen a way back from it.

The Billingham midfield spine with Wilson in front of the back four, Liddle in the middle, and Jameson behind the loan striker has been noticeably effective. McWilliams has overlapped well from left back, and Crossen has run the channels tirelessly. For Spennymoor, the defence looks sound and the midfield tidy, but up front only Cogden looks a danger.

The second half commences in the same subdued vein. Spennymoor’s Phillips cuts in from the wing and shoots; Moody saves well but once more as he goes to gather the rebound Cogden pounces. This time Moody only gives the ball up to check the damage to his head; the referee sympathises and awards a free kick, also giving Cogden a good talking to.

Billingham are still in the game, but when they get the opportunity to shoot, the aim is wayward and Dean remains untested.

Approaching the third quarter Cogden robs a defender of the ball about 40 yards from goal. He drives forward a further ten yards before striking a right foot shot into the top left corner of the net. A great goal, rising above the mediocrity of the match, and giving the home team a 2-0 advantage. The second goal seems to relax Spennymoor and minutes later Stephenson runs through at inside left and with a cushioned header controls a through ball which he then heads again over the advancing keeper but just wide of the goal.

Spennymoor are in control now and are kept out only at the expense of corners and free kicks. Billingham keep three up front but can’t get the ball to them. Five minutes from the end Cogden and Moody clash again, this time a genuine fifty-fifty; Cogden is first to get to his feet but sportingly declines to take advantage of the keeper’s distress and plays the ball out for a throw to allow the trainer on. Would he have done the same at nil nil?

At the death Billingham get a free kick just outside the Spennymoor box. A well designed routine sees Liddle play it to Jameson who sets up Wilson for a volley that goes just wide. The midfield trio have not been so effective in the second half but that was a nice reminder of their earlier play.

The game ends at 2-0; a match that seemed a bit low key for a cup tie, albeit graced with a fine goal. Perhaps the teams are too familiar with each other, and hopefully the next round, against fresh opponents from down South, will generate a bit more passion.