FA Cup
Preliminary Round - 20 August 2016
Cool and showery at Central Avenue for this
Preliminary Round FA Cup tie between two Northern League Division 2 teams,
giving both an opportunity to reach the heady heights (for a step six club) of
the first qualifying round. The big bowl of a ground with its cavernous
cantilever stand is familiar from previous visits, but their frequency has
diminished since Synthonia dropped out of the first division a couple of
seasons ago.
Still, a glance at the programme shows the
home team have strengthened their squad with some signings from division one
teams plus the surprising recruitment from NPL Spennymoor of Anthony Peacock,
one of the most creative players in the region.
Synthonia have the best of the opening
exchanges, aided by the wind and rain at their back. After an initial scare
when a misunderstanding between centre half and goalkeeper results in the
latter’s clearance rebounding off a charging Northallerton forward, all the
action is around the visitors’ goalmouth. A corner is headed over, long throws
come in, and crosses flash from side to side.
On twenty minutes Peacock opens up a channel
on the left and the pulled back centre is volleyed by Chay Liddle; it is into
the ground but well-directed back across the keeper who cannot prevent it
entering the goal. A minute or two later it is Peacock himself who is put clear
on the left. His shot is saved but not held and in the ensuing scramble a
Billingham forward is able to sweep the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Northallerton seemed stunned by this quick
double but can do little to alter things. Again the only danger to the
Synthonia goal is from the lack of communication between the keeper and
defenders; this time the keeper charges from his area to head clear, clattering
his centre half in the process. With both players on the floor a lofted Northallerton
attempt drifts wide. But as Synthonia can’t add any more goals either, the
visitors just about remain in the match, two down at half time.
And Northallerton re-start the stronger,
spending sustained periods in their opponent’s half but without causing the
Billingham keeper any trouble. Then Synthonia’s first foray of the half, a
quick break, produces a cross from the right that finds a selection of
teammates in the centre. Max Craggs applies the finish to make it 3-0, and it
is hard to see Northallerton coming back now.
The pace understandably goes out of the game
for a while but with 15 minutes to go a run from Peacock beats the offside
trap; he collects the ball, pauses to draw out the keeper, then sidefoots home.
Synthonia have the scent of blood now and add a fifth when some close passing
featuring Liddle and (inevitably) Peacock ends with Craggs scoring from within
the box.
Finally, in the last minute, Peacock caps a
fine individual and team performance by exchanging passes with Nathan Steel and
chipping the keeper to make the score a convincing six nil.
On this evidence Billingham Synthonia should
get out of the second division with ease and may even get through another FA
Cup round, though their next opponents will be a tougher test than
Northallerton.
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