FA Cup Preliminary Qualifying Round 31 August 2013

BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA v BRIGHOUSE TOWN

The FA cup weather is back on form with the day at Central Avenue fine and sunny, but with a fresh breeze blowing the length of the cavernous but exposed cantilever stand. The rest of the ground is an open oval with the lush green pitch surrounded by the red shale track and grassy banking rising up to trees and bushes.

The scene is well set for what should be a competitive game; Northern League v Northern Counties East League is an even match up so it’s all to play for. Synthonia are in their distinctive green and white quarters and Brighouse wear road-mender orange shirts and black shorts.

The early play is dominated by Brighouse with both Matthew and Boafo looking skilful and quick as they are fed balls down the channels. Synthonia keeper Briggs is soon in action, pushing a free kick from Naidole past the post then, as the resulting a corner produces a goal mouth scramble, falling on the ball as it threatens to roll over the line.

Minutes later Naidole gets a second go from the same spot but this time Briggs gets two fists to the shot to punch well clear. However it continues to be largely one-way traffic. Matthew glides in from the left and slips a pass through to Boafo 10 yards from goal. Briggs is out at his feet and gets something in the way, but the ball continues to loop goalwards. A defender stretches out a despairing boot and manages to slice the ball narrowly over the bar.

Having survived the first quarter, Synthonia start to string a few passes together. A corner is achieved; then after half an hour a good move down the left sees Porritt backheel to Osmond, who crosses for Fowler to dive full length but head wide.

Brighouse respond and create a couple of chances without forcing Briggs into further heroics. At the other end Brighouse keeper Giles makes his first save as a Porritt cross is headed straight at him by Magowan. His next foray into the action is less distinguished as his shout of “keepers” proves over-optimistic as he gets nowhere near the long diagonal cross. The ball bounces around in the box but no Synthonia player can take advantage and the danger passes.

The half time verdict is 0-0 but plenty of action. Brighouse’s early supremacy has faded as the Synthonia defence came to terms with the mobile Brighouse forwards. Synthonia’s best route seems to be via Porritt down the left with crosses for Magowan and Jameson to attack. Brighouse look most dangerous when their eye-catching captain, left back Henry, pushes forward with pace and power. They still look the most likely to break the deadlock.

Brighouse reinforce this belief as they make an attacking start to the second half. Boafo, Naidole, and Matthew all have early shots; one blocked by a defender and two saved by Briggs. Then, ten minutes into the half, Brighouse midfielder Mitchell’s shot is blocked and ricochets around before falling to Matthew. He controls the ball, manoeuvres it around the diving Briggs, and rolls it into the goal for a deserved lead.

This prompts Synthonia make a change, bringing on Wilson for Fowler; and Brighouse follow suite with Ryan for Gibson. Synthonia seem to gain most from the changes and start to build pressure. A good move puts Magowan through but his low hard shot is very well saved by Giles. Porritt turns his full back inside-out but then can’t find a colleague in the box. He’s then fed a great ball through the middle, but before he can control the high bouncing ball he is bundled over by a Brighouse defender. “Penalty” shout the home crowd, but the ref rules legitimate challenge to a chorus of boos.

The Synthonia necessary focus on attack leaves them open to the counter and Brighouse’s Henry surges forward, finds Ryan who then switches it to Matthew, who’s clear in the box but shoots wide with only the keeper to beat. A closer effort comes in from Boafo, 30 yards out, which skims the bar.

Synthonia keep attacking regardless; they are winning all the headers in the box, from crosses and corners, but can’t get them on target. With five minutes to go Brighouse break clear, and with four against three work a man in against the keeper. Briggs saves once then again from the rebound to confirm his Synthonia man of the match performance.

His teammates look spent and struggle to get the ball off Brighouse; when they do, they lose it immediately and then commit a foul to get it back. A slick free kick move from Brighouse gets the ball in the net but the linesman’s flag keeps the home fans faint hopes alive. Briggs does the same when he again rushes out to smother a shot.

Into time added on and a long hopeful Synthonia punt up-field from Burton mysteriously finds Magowan free in the box. The ball bounces up off the springy turf but this time he gets a toe end to it before keeper Giles can intervene, and the ball rolls into the goal for a late, late, and barely deserved equaliser.

Brighouse can’t believe it, and the home fans look a bit sheepish as they troop out, but Tuesday is another day and the replay is another game that gives both a chance to continue their cup run, with a home tie the reward.