The Y&E won 3-2 away at Billingham Synthonia in an action packed game, the win consolidating their second place position on the league.
Synners away is the shortest away trip o fetch season. It’s only a 15 minutes drive to the Map Group Stadium in Stockton and there was plenty of Y&E support there in a 251 strong crowd. With any local derby, from can go out of the window and that isn’t including the fact that there were so many familiar faces in the Synners line up. Seven of the starting Synners line up had played for our first team at some stage over the past four years, and in the Y&E ranks was ex Synners player Foz Garton who made over 200 appearances for Synners. There was a few changes to the starting XI, with HST coming back in to the team following suspension and Sam Conway dropping to the bench and with Scaiffe unavailable, there was a return for midfield enforcer Charlie Fixter after almost a year out with serious knee injury. We lined up with Callum in goal, Jack Dalton right wing back, Joe Dalton on the left. Cam Wild, Dan Jones and Ross Harrison as the central three. HST & CF7 in the midfield, with Marshy and Ste Roberts supporting Tom up front. On the bench, Harry Williams, Freddie McBride, Sam Conway, Leo Cheesebrough, and Foz Garton.
The weather was absolutely perfect for football with sunshine and no wind, in comparison to the remnants of storm Amy the week before in Prudhoe. We got off to the best start possible, with HST opening the scoring in the second minute. The Synners defence were unable to clear the ball and it fell to HST just outside the box and he unleashed a superb first time hit form about 25 yards which flew in to the top corner, there was noting Will Lawerence in goal could do to stop it. 1-0 up, which calmed the nerves of the Y&E faithful. The opening stages were a little frantic at times, a Cam Wild curler launched from 20 yards from a knocked down free kick being the highlight following the goal. The Synners 10 Jack Lamb went in to the book early for a late challenge on HST. Synners had most of the early possession, and they capitalised on 13 minutes, some good play down the right and Jayden Gray burst clear, crossing over to Sam Irvine in the box, who was able to calmly slot home for the equaliser. 1-1. A couple of minutes later, another good Synners break, this time down the left, Sam Irvine pulling the ball back and a shot was well saved by Callum.
We started to come in to the game a bit more, and had a couple of half chances, Tom getting on the end of Dan Jones headed flick, but his shot went just wide. The hosts were looking dangerous on the break and were finding space out wide, they broke from a Y&E corner but Sam Irvine was just offside. CF7 was back in amongst it in midefield, and was fouled a couple of times by Taggart and Lamb, but no cards given. We nearly took the lead on 33 minutes, Tom getting a shot off from a stupid angle and hitting the bar after he capitalised on a mix up in the host defence. We did take the lead on 41 minutes, HST winning the ball in midfield, Tom with a superb first touch, before he turned and loved the ball over Will Lawerence. It looked a good goal at the time, but the Veo footage shows what an incredible first touch it was from Tom. Almost immediately Synners were on the break, Sam Lawerence seemed to ghost through midfield, before sliding the ball to Sam Irvine, who dribbled in to the box and was upended by Callum as he went for the ball and the ref had no option but to point to the spot. Penalty Synners. Sam Irvine stepped up, hit the penalty and put it Callum’s right and she dived the right way, but it also went to the right of the post and straight out for a goal kick. A let off for the Y&E. Half time 2-1 up.
No changes at half time. 51 mins Tom looked to ave beaten the offside trap, but he was flagged. We made an early change with Ste Roberts off for Harry Williams. We had the ball in the back of the net on 58minutes, Dan Jones at the far post from a corner but it was ruled out for a handball. We were playing better in the second half and had a couple of other chances from set pieces. CF7 made way for Sam Conway on 65 mins, with Sam slotting in at left wing back and Dalts moving to central midfield. Jack Dalton combined well with Harry Williams down the right hand side, Harry playing the ball over to Tom who connected well with the cross, but his shot drew an excellent save from Will Lawerence in the Synners goal. At the other end there were appeals for a Synners pen against Sam Conway but the ref waved them away. HST was in the book for kicking the ball away.
Synners were having a better spell, whilst not really troubling Callum as the game moved in to the last fifteen minutes. We made a further changes, with Foz going on for HST. On 81 minutes we scored our third goal. A free kick on the edge of the box, blocked by the wall, ball finds its way to Marshy who has a shot saved and the ball falls to Harry Williams, who calmly slots it home. A two goal cushion with 9 minutes left Pius stoppage time. A couple of late substitutions, Jack Dalton off for Leo and Freddie on for Tom, just after Tom had tried an effort with the outside of his right foot. With two minutes of normal time left, Synners got one back to set up a very tense finish. The goal coming from a free kick crossed in and the ball ended up with Harry Healy who put it past Callum. The momentum was with Synners as they sought the equaliser. Jayden Gray drove forward and was fouled, juts on the edge of the box, fairly central. Free kick. He stepped up for the free kick and put it well over. We looked to keep possession and run the time down, but there was still time for Marshy to nearly score, drawing another good save. After about nine minutes of stoppage time, the ref blew and we had take n the three points. A 3-2 win. And relax
Synners played well and will be rueing the penalty miss just before half time. First half they caused us issues with their pace up front. They made it difficult for us at times. If they play like they did today, they will pick up some more points in the rest of the season. Good luck to them.
As for the Y&E, mission accomplished. It was maybe a bit more stressful than it needed to be, but therein thing was to get the three points, get this game behind us and move on with the rest of the season. We’ve played better this season, but in a derby against a lot of ex players it was always going to be a tough one. The first two goals were quality, HST with his first ever competitive goal for the Y&E (he must be well in to double figures for assists) in his 48th game for the club. Tom bagging his 112th goal in his 101st appearance. It was good to see CF7 back, he played well and will only get better the more minutes he has. Marshy was man of the match. His energy was as high as ever, never stopped working, It’s difficult to get across in these match reports what Marshy does during the game, winning tackles, interceptions, tracking back, holding the ball up, dribbling. Just doesn’t stop.
Next up its a break from league action in our first ever Sunday game, as Colne FC are the visitors to Bedford Terrace in the 1st Round proper of the FA Vase. It is a big one. Get yourself there. Bring your friends. Bring you family. Get behind the Y&E