FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round

BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA v CELTIC NATION – 4 October 2014

I visit Central Avenue always with trepidation. It is often cold with the wind whipping down the cavernous stand, and for some reason it’s rarely a good game. True to form the mild weather of late has ended and though dry after early rain, a cool wind is trying to pick up. But hopefully the match will buck the trend and provide a keen contest between Billingham Synthonia and Celtic Nation, two clubs from the Northern League Division 1, who can have realistic hopes of progressing far in, if not of actually winning, the Vase.

There are two distinctive kits on view. With Billingham in green and white quarters and Nation in black and yellow hoops it could be two rugby teams lining up – London Irish v Wasps springs to mind.

Latecomers are still arriving as CN’s diminutive number eleven, Dean Douglas wins a race to the ball in the Billingham half, easily evading the lunge from his opponent; from there he outpaces everyone and side-foots past the advancing keeper with a cool finish to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

Billingham respond quickly and a cross from the left creates a great chance but Furness places the ball wide from close in. Their next threatening attack sees Hughes through into the penalty box; he pushes the ball past the keeper, heading a bit wide, but Casson brings him down anyway, conceding a penalty. Nathan Porritt steps up and nets the equalising spot kick.

Nation shrug it off and start to look the better team. An exquisite dummy is bought by the home defence and Dean Armstrong strides towards goal; his shot is well saved by keeper Jonny Ball. As half time approaches the Synthonia keeper saves again at full stretch to keep out a well-placed but gently-hit shot.

So by half time the football has been bright and lively, if a bit error-strewn, and the sun is out to banish those early forebodings. As ever at Central Avenue the refreshments are tasty, as evidenced by the benched players joining the queue and tucking in.

Synthonia improve in the second half. The introduction of Jack Bradbury up front seems to add pace, which he uses well to beat the CN keeper to a fifty-fifty ball outside the box. His toe poke rolls towards the goal but slowly enough for a defender to catch it up and clear. Chances follow for Porritt and Hughes but keeper Casson saves both efforts.

Synthonia’s ascendency restricts the Nation’s attacks, but one hopeful punt up field results in Ball failing to gather a simple headed back pass. Instead he fumbles it into McMath’s knees, from where it rebounds towards goal providing the surprised but grateful McMath with a tap in.

The 2-1 lead is against the second half run of play and Billingham press hard, winning corners from which centre halves Bott and Matthewman threaten. With ten minutes left it is Matthewman, still up from a corner who benefits from a Casson misjudgement to head in an equaliser.

The ebb and flow continues but it is Celtic Nation who come closest with a late shot, saved by Ball.

Under the Vase rules it is straight to extra time, which produces more of the same end to end stuff. Both teams are going for the win and half chances come and go. At the death the ball finds Synthonia centre half Bott in the Celtic Nation six yard box and with the last kick of the match he misses the open goal.

Level after extra time means no penalties and a replay in Carlisle on Tuesday night.

ELSEWHERE

Bishop Auckland and Marske United both won at home against Birtley and Chester-le-Street, fellow Northern League clubs (albeit from Division 2). Crook Town lost out in the all Division 1 tie at Sunderland RCA.

Durham city and Billingham Town were beaten by more exotic opposition, at Holker Old Boys and at home to Yorkshire Amateurs respectively.

FA Vase state of play: 3 yet to start, 2 through, 1 replaying, 7 out.