Match Report 3/2/2024
Newcastle University 2, Billingham Synthonia 2

Ebac Northern League Division 2

Teams:
Newcastle University: Richardson, R Redford, A Redford, Pennington, Harris, Burgess, Miller (C), Holland, Foster, Matthews, Osiyemi. Subs; Griffiths, Butler, Gavaghan, Foster, McKee.
Billingham Synthonia: O Simpson, Miley, McLeod, Davis, A Simpson (C), Hogan (Lavan), Porritt (Burnett), Winstanley, Willshaw (Noble), Brown, Scaife-Wheatley (Lines). Unsed Subs; Heap.

Synthonia shared the points with Newcastle University with both sides scoring late goals.

Early chances for Billingham saw efforts on goal from Declan Brown and Lewis Porritt from close range being blocked by the home defence before Matty Willshaw also had a shot closed down.

Porritt played left to Luke Hogan who saw his shot over the bar and then University threatened as Tolu Osiyemi tried a shot from the right, but straight at Synners keeper Ollie Simpson.

The home side threatened as Ben Miller found Matthew Foster who shot over. Minutes later Foster would see sight of goal again, but again shot over the bar with his effort from just inside the penalty area.

Newcastle opened the scoring in the 34th minute, but Synthonia will feel agrieved after a push on Tyler Miley from Osiyemi failed to bring a foul. From the corner on the left though, the ball was helped on to JAY HARRIS at the back post who found the net with his header.

The Uni had a chance well blocked by Simpson then Hogan for Synners shot over the frame of the goal as the half came to a close.

Half-time: Newcastle University 1, Synners 0

Billingham advanced after the break with Jack Winstanley forcing the ball just wide from close range. They found the leveller in the 64th minute though with Winstanley's left wing corner being headed from Alfie Simpson to LEWIS PORRITT who turned and fired into the roof of the net.

Synners threatened again with Porritt on the right playing into Winstanley who laid off for Willshaw; his shot saved by home keeper Max Richardson. Moments later and Brown found Willshaw who took the ball past the keeper, only to fire over.

The University came back at Synners with Simpson making a block before a shot over the bar. Billingham were then denied penalty shouts as Simpson punted up field for Porritt in on goal who looked to be pushed from behind, the appeals waved away.

The home side looked to have scored a late winner when in the 92nd minute a ball out of defence to TOLU OSIYEMI in the box saw him hold off challenges and prod the ball under Simpson and in.

Synthonia advanced immediately and found the equaliser for a share of the points in the 93rd minute when substitute Ash Lavan floated the ball into the box from the left for DECLAN BROWN to glance a header past Richardson and in.

Full-time: Newcastle University 2, Synners 2

Referee: D Forbes, Assistants: L Wynn, E Galbraith.

Attendance: 37

Match highlights from SynnersTV on YouTube