Damage in the Box!: BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA (Central Avenue)

Another round of the vase was upon us today, so soon after the last round was completed as well, and it was a trip north to see the winners of the previous game I seen in the competition. Billingham is 5 miles from Middlesbrough and Synthonia play in the Northern League. The name of the club comes from their past links to ICI when one of their products was a synthetic ammonia, synthonia being an amalgamation of the two words.

The Glamal Engineering Stadium AKA Central Avenue was opened in 1958, after the original was built on for office blocks as ICI expanded, and is a very impressive one boasting a 2000 capacity stand. It is mostly terracing but there are seats on the halfwayline and the views are excellent. The running track around pitch, which doesn't ruin the atmosphere like some other grounds, is used by Billingham Marsh House Runners.

Seeing as Synthonia have only played one game since I last reported on them, a 1-1 draw with Newcastle Benfield, their league position hasn't improved and they remain in 17th position. Tadcaster Albion play in the Northern Counties East League and are currently enjoying a decent season so far. After winning promotion to the premier league as first division champions, they have continued the momentum and currently lie in 3rd position, with games in hand on the top two.

On paper the match up indicated the prospect of a decent game, however the reality was anything but. Synners deservedly found themselves one up at the interval, but it was a largely forgettable first half. James Magowan latching onto a long ball out of defence and the Taddy backline allowed him to run through one-on-one with the goalkeeper to slot home.

The second half was marginally better and Taddy came more into the game but, unfortunately for them, just as they were really pressing, they went two goals down on the hour mark. A superb cross from the left was crying out to be buried and that's exactly what Magowan, as he headed home his second of the game. Tadcaster did get a goal back on 79 minutes when left back Steve Jeff shot home from a tight angle.

The last 10 minutes was end-to-end but Synthonia always seemed to be in control, however in stoppage time Tadcaster thought they grabbed an equaliser but it was ruled out for shirt pulling. So Billingham march on into the last 16 and into the hat for the draw on Monday.