WEST AUCKLAND 3-2 BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA
Wednesday 16 January, 7:30PM, League
Dale Jardine's superb winner warmed home fans on a freezing night, but only after they surrendered a two goal lead following Scott Nicholson's red card.
West started brighter on a bitterly cold night - Stuart Owen flashing in an cross that was narrowly too far for the attacking forwards. The lead was to come with the first effort on target - the 21st minute. Brian Fairhurst's low powerful free kick flew past a rooted John Jackson to give warm up the West fans.
Synners responded with a header that landed just past the post as they looked to recapture their form. West then came close to adding a second when Dale Jardine sent Paul Freary away on the left, his ball back in towards Dale Jardine took a deflection and hit Jardine with the ball rolling out for a goal kick.
Billingham themselves had a couple of opportunities - firstly they blazed over a promising move before Wilkinson split a cross with the ball eventually being well blocked and clear. The ball was in the net a minute from half time - the flag had already been raised for offside before it was headed in from close range.
The crucial second goal came seconds before the break and it brought West a two goal cushion. Bryan Stewart curled a superb free kick over the wall and past Jackson who once again stood little chance.
Early on Synthonia tried to respond with a dangerous ball well cut out for a corner, although West did have the first effort on target - a free kick head goal wards by Neil Robinson, unfortunately straight at the keeper.
Following on from the first half a 59th minute free kick was well struck low and hard from Brian Fairhurst and the ball fizzed inches wide of goal with a slight deflection denying West a third.
After Paul Freary had worked a chance that was saved by Jackson, Synners came back and Simon Shaw's good free kick was well tipped wide by Alan Wilkinson. They then blazed a shot wide as both sides looked for the vital third goal of the game.
The game was to take a change in favour of the visitors, with Billingham Synthonia making full advantage. In the 65th minute, Scott Nicholson lost his marker and when he brought him down for a penalty as a last man on a booking it was inevitable that a 2nd yellow was to follow. From the spot, Simon Shaw sent Alan Wilkinson the wrong way.
West responded by sitting back although Neil Robinson did have a sight of goal with a shot wide from Stuart Owen's ball across. However Synners were to then snatch an equaliser in the 73rd minute. Colin Iley gained just a few yards of space and he cut back past Jamie Middleton before firing past Wilkinson who was left little chance.
It seemed there was only going to be one winner - and it came three minutes later. Somewhat against the run of play it fell for West Auckland. Paul Freary headed on a cross and it fell for Dale Jardine to fire a superb crisp volley into the roof of the net with Jackson's fingertips not able to stop the powerful effort.
Synthonia responded by dominating and Simon Shaw's free kick was on target but well held 9 minutes from normal time. They did get one last chance with the full back nipping in at the back post only for Wilkinson to do well to knock past the post.
Despite late pressure, West held firm to claim the excellent three points.
1. Alan Wilkinson, 2. Brian Fairhurst, 3. Kevin Bromley, 4. Scott Nicholson, 5. James Middleton, 6. Bryan Stewart, 7. Neil Robinson, 8. Danny Richmond , 9. Dale Jardine, 10. Paul Freary, 11. Stuart Owen
Subs Not Used: James Chapman, Gary Close
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