Billingham Town (Away): Northern League Division 1: Saturday 15th October 2011

Result: Billingham Town 3 Marske United 1     Scorer: Burton

Marske travelled to Bedford Terrace in good spirits following a three game unbeaten stint, but left somewhat despondent as defeat saw them drop back into the bottom three.

United made just one change to the side that drew at Town’s neighbours Synthonia a week earlier – Anthony Roberts replacing the unavailable Michael Wilson at full back.

From the start, Billingham seemed to have trouble dealing with long balls as goalkeeper Graeme Willey put a few punts over everyone and Chris McGill was almost let in but failed to get the ball under proper control.
Town were first to show though, as Roberts’ misplaced back-pass was seized upon by Craig Norman who forced Willey into a good early save.

But for the remainder of the half, it was almost all Marske who created numerous chances to score.
McGill again got onto the end of a ball over the back of the Town defence on 15 minutes and blasted towards goal from 12 yards out but keeper James Briggs managed to get a foot to the ball and keep his effort out.
Then on 21 minutes Marske took the lead as McGill nodded the ball down into the path of young Jonathan Burton who fired past the keeper to from the edge of the box.

But the lead lasted less than three minutes as the home side equalised with a free-kick from wide on the right by Michael Arthur beat everyone, looping over Willey at the far post and nestling in the top corner.

Danny Brunskill began to look more and more dangerous as the half progressed, and he was denied by Briggs on 28 minutes after a trademark turn and shot was brilliantly saved.

And minutes later the big striker had another wonderful chance to score after McGill weaved his way into the box and slipped him in with a clever pass, but uncharacteristically he swung his left foot at fresh air and missed from the corner of the six yard box.

And the big striker went close again on 39 minutes when he cut in off the right touchline and bent a ferocious shot towards the top right hand corner but had it expertly saved by Briggs at full stretch.

Half-time: Billingham Town 1 v 1 Marske United

In the second half Marske continued to pose a threat and were once again denied by the keeper who pulled off a great save from McGill at close range, after sub Benn headed a free kick back across the face of goal.

But as the clock ticked down, Billingham were beginning to threaten on the break and United were caught out on 74 minutes when Town cleared a Marske corner, broke downfield and scored. Jamie Owens weaved past three defenders before setting up Nicky Martin to slot home.

Marske struggled to create much after that and were caught out again in the final minute of stoppage time as Town made it 3-1. Martin broke through the Marske rearguard way too easily and pulled the ball back for Alan Cossavella to complete a somewhat flattering scoreline for the home team.

Full-time: Billingham Town 3 v 1 Marske United

So a disappointing result in a game where we had enough chances to win. The performance wasn't up to those we've seen in recent weeks but there was enough there to take encouragement ahead of next week's game against Bishop Auckland.

Every game is crucial now, and with Guisborough and Tow Law both winning, three points would be very welcome in order to put the pressure back on the clubs around us in the table.

Billingham Town: Briggs, O’Brien, Arthur, Cossavella, Dunwell (Crossman), Gaston, Flockett, Selby, Martin, Owens, Norman (Boynton).
Not Used: Whensley, Roberts, Perry.

Marske United: Willey, Roberts, Wheatley, Ormerod (Wesson), Donachie, Carling, Gell, Cochrane, Brunskill (Thompson), McGill, J.Burton (Charlton). Not Used: Taylor, Jones.