Sunderland RCA 2 Billingham Synthonia 4

Steve Halliday comes away with the ball in the second half of the match

Saturday, 14 September 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA Barton (2) Billingham Synthonia FC: Porritt (3), Alderson

Please click here for photos from the match.

Please click here for photos from the Billingham Synthonia photographer.

RCA's home form continues to be a major problem, this being their fourth defeat at home in a row. The team only showed one change from the team who performed heroics at Celtic Nation in mid week, Home-Jackson replacing Thompson who had a slight rib injury.

Synners who had only played four games before today's match started well, Magowan forcing the RCA defence to clear their lines under pressure, the ball fell to Garton who had his shot blocked by Summers before Wardle cleared up field.

A long diagonal ball from McWilliams fell at the feet of Osmond who lobbed Jameson but, had to watch the ball go narrowly wide of the post.

In the 10th minute a Porritt corner was headed over by Alderson, Jameson took a quick goal kick to Callaghan who playe the ball forward to Edwards who dribbled past two defenders before crossing into the box where Barton headed into the net only to be ruled offside.

This seemed to give RCA the confidence to go forward, and it was only some good defending by Burton which stopped Logan from getting in a shot when in a good position.

In the 20 minute a cross into the box by Jury was headed down by Barton to Home-Jackson but his shot was well blocked by Gaston.

As the game started to swing in RCA's favour they found themselves behind, Jury lost the ball inside the Synners half to McWilliams who sent a 40 yard pass straight to Porritt on the opposite wing, the Synner's wing man cut inside and curled a beautiful left foot shot into the top corner of the net.

Within a minute it could have been 2-0 when Osmond found himself in space, he turned and fired in a shot which took a wicked deflection which wrong footed Jameson and he watched helplessly as the ball struck the post and went behind for a corner.

As the game became more competative in mid field a string of minor offences were picked up by the referee and the game went through a scappy period.

Synner's goalkeeper, Briggs was called into action to tip a Callaghan free kick over the bar and from the resulting corner had to be aware as the ball dipped onto the crossbar and over for a goal kick.

RCA's equaliser came in the 33rd minute when Brown and Edwards did well on the right wing to conjour up some space before edwards was able send a cross into the penalty area, two Defenders completely missed the ball and it fell to Barton who fired past Briggs into the net.

The game looked once again to be swinging in the direction of the RCA, however, Synners had other ideas and in Porritt they had a great outlet when they were under pressure.

With half time approaching a harmless long ball seemed to be easily dealt with by the RCA defence, but a weak back pass was pounced on by Porritt who charged down Jameson's clearance and fired in a shot which Jameson chested away, Porritt again shot and this time Jameson saved with his legs, appeared to sit on the ball and as he picked it up Porritt nipped in again and volleyed into the net to make it 2-1 despite the protests of Jameson and the RCA defence.

After the drama of the last few minutes of the first half the second half started in high tempo with osmond heading just wide from a Porritt cross.

RCA found themselves back on level terms when a great passing move between Andrew Brown, Aaron Brown and Edwards saw the ball switched to the right wing where Aaron Brown sent an inch perfect pass into Barton who lifted the ball over the advancing Briggs and into the net.

Then came the second controvertial incident in the game, once again a poor back pass was intercepted and Jameson, charging out caught Osmond and was quite rightly cautioned. Porritt took the free kick which was headed away but only as far as Alderson who forced the ball goalward, Barton seemed to head the ball away towards the corner flag where the assistant referee was flagging for a goal. (Photographs appear to show that the ball did not cross the line.) Where is goal line technology when you need it?

There was no such debate about Synner's fourth goal and Porritt's hat-trick. Awarded a freekick on the edge of the box Porritt strode up and curled a shot over the wall and into the top corner of the net.

RCA almost got back into the game when a cross from Jury was brought down by Home-Jackson inside the area and althogh under pressure was able to get a shot at goal but Briggs was able to deal with it comfortably.

The final 10 minutes saw RCA trying to get something out of th egame and Synner's defending very well. There were a few scares for the visitors, not least when Home-Jackson slipped the ball to Andrew Brown who crossed to Barton but his header flashed inches wide of the upright.

In the fanal minute of the game Synners produced a great move involving Porritt, Osmond and Huggins with the ball being swung wide to Garton who crossed to substitute Cattermole but his low drive was well saved by Jameson.

Once again the home hoodoo struck, there appears to be no luck at all in Meadow Park at the moment. Two controvertial goals, both decisions going against us.

It has to be said that basic defending has also cost us, to many back passes to the keeper and poorly organised wall's for freekicks have cost us today but as was said after the game, you cannot defend for 90 minutes without making some mistakes.

Synners can also take some credit for the result today, as they played really well and in Porritt they have a real match winner.