Billingham Synthonia (Away): NL Division 1: Saturday 8th October 2011

Result: Billingham Synthonia 2 Marske United 2     Scorers: McGill, Brunskill

Synners welcomed Marske United to the Glamal Stadium and made one change from Wednesday night's fine win against Whitley Bay with Andrew Forster coming in at the heart of defence in place of the unavailable David Abel.  Marske made two changes from their midweek draw at league leaders Sunderland Ryhope, with Leon Carling replacing Anthony Roberts in defence and Steve Cochrane returning to the midfield in place of the unavailable Derek Bradley.

There were a couple of efforts for both sides in the opening exchanges as firstly Marske's Jonathan Burton tried a long range shot which was straight at Synthonia keeper Josh Moody, then a Chay Liddle shot for Synners went wide of the target.

A Danny Earl run forward in the right hand channel saw him pull back for Matt Crossen, but his shot deflected wide for a corner.

However, Billingham opened the scoring from the flag-kick in the 8th minute when Nathan Jameson sent the ball into the box and United's Anthony Ormerod sent a bullet header into his own net, giving Graeme Willey no chance.

Synners extended their lead in the 22nd minute when a Liddle free-kick from the right touch saw Phil Horsman head home for his first goal for the club having failed to be picked up by the Marske defence.

A 29th minute corner for the visitor's saw a header go over the cross-bar, then the Seasiders pulled a goal back in the 33rd minute when Burton's cross from the left was headed home by Chris McGill. The goal gave Marske a lift and they forced another corner in the 36th minute which was cleared as far as Michael Wilson who saw his shot go just past the left hand upright. Billingham came back at Marske with Jameson playing a great ball forward for Earl to the right of goal, but the striker saw his effort go inches past the near post.

Half-time: Synners 2 Marske 1

The Seasiders started the second period well with a shot from Daniel Brunskill being blocked by Forster at the expense of a corner.

A couple of more flag-kicks followed before Billingham finally managed to clear their lines. United continued to press and a corner from the left

saw Adam Wheatley head towards goal, but the ball went just wide of the right hand post.

This was followed by a shot on goal from Adam Gell, but his strike was straight at Moody who held on.

Billingham briefly threatened on the hour mark as former Marske junior Curtis Collantine forced a corner on the right, but Jameson's flag-kick was cleared by the visiting defence.

Marske then netted an equaliser in the 64th minute when a ball into the box saw Brunskill turn past his marker and drill a low shot into the net under Moody.

Chances were at a minimum for the remainder of the game with the closest Synthonia coming to regaining the lead being a Matthew McQueeney cross from the right to Earl who could only head straight at keeper Graeme Willey.

Full-time: Synners 2, Marske 2

Having played extremely poorly during the first half, Marske can be proud of themselves in the way that they battled back to take a point off of one of the divisions form teams.   Since the signings of a new keeper and two new defenders, Marske are unbeaten in three, and are now on the up.

Teams:

Billingham Synthonia:  Moody, Collantine, McWilliams, Forster, Horsman, Liddle, Hillerby(c), Crossen, McQueeney (Storr), Earl, N Jameson (Blyth). Not Used: M Jameson, Dalton, Cater.

Marske United:  Willey, Wilson, Wheatley, Ormerod, Donachie, Carling, Gell, Cochrane(c) (Charlton), Brunskill (Thompson), McGill, Burton. Not Used: Gamble, Roberts, Raw.

Referee:  Shaun Hudson (Houghton-le-Spring)