I think there must be some sort of agreement to play on a Friday night when two Teesside teams face each other. The likes of Synthonia, Thornaby, Billingham Town and Stockton Town have all been involved in Friday night clashes against one another and I suppose it is a good idea as it will pull in a healthier crowd. I wasn’t sure if I was actually going to go to this game tonight. If I was to go to a game though, it would certainly have been this one rather than Crook Town vs Tow Law Town though. I watched these two play each other in the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup at Thronaby a couple of months ago and Thornaby held their own but were only beaten in the second half. This game tonight was my 109th game of the season which puts me 13 behind where I was at this point last season. Tonight should also be the start of a small run of games. I have Easington Colliery vs Bedlington Terriers tomorrow and Durham Women vs Everton Ladies on Sunday. It’s my birthday on Monday but I might get to Middlesbrough U23s vs West Bromwich Albion U23s.

Match report:

Langstaff brace seals three points for Billingham Synthonia in Teesside derby

Macaulay Langstaff netted a brace as Billingham Synthonia beat Thornaby 2-0 on Friday night.

The man on loan from Gateshead fired the hosts into a 48th-minute lead with a fine free-kick and his second came in the 70th-minute to secure the points for the Synners.

Synthonia made two changes from their 7-1 win over Northallerton Town with Dale Mulligan and Langstaff coming in for Jordan Wilson and Matthew Robinson.

The first half proved to be a very dull affair.

A Synthonia free-kick was fired over within the opening 100 seconds but the game was quick to settle down.

Just before the quarter of an hour mark, Josh Rowbotham tried his luck from 25 yards but the former Hartlepool United man could only drag wide and despite looking very solid at the back, Synners weren’t creating much up front.

Both sides were working hard without any chances and the first half was 38 minutes old when the third and final half chance saw a Synthonia free-kick fail to find the target.

The occasional bang of a drum from the home fans tried to liven things up but it did little to help a lacklustre first half and the two sides went into the break without a single shot on target.

Thankfully, the second half proved more entertaining as Synthonia broke the deadlock only two minutes in. Langstaff took responsibility for a 25-yard free-kick and curled it round the wall and into the net despite the efforts of Daniel Bowman.

The goal sprung the game into life and Langstaff went close again soon after but fired wide from long-range.

Several half chances then fell the way of the hosts with Conor Winter, Nathan Mulligan and Anthony Peacock all going close to no avail.

There was only 22 minutes left when Thornaby managed their first meaningful shot as Nico Weatherald fired a free-kick well over the crossbar.

Twenty minutes from time, Langstaff collected his and Synthonia’s second to ensure the three points. Substitute Chay Liddle threaded a ball into Langstaff and when a looping ball dropped his way, the former Stockton Town man was able to bundle home.

Further half chances followed, with Liddle’s high effort being most notable but there was to be no real chances and Synthonia claimed the three points in a forgettable game.

Full-time: Billingham Synthonia 2-0 Thornaby

Next up for me is Easington Colliery vs Bedlington Terriers tomorrow.

Billingham Synthonia: McLaren, Huggins, Rowbotham, Seaton (Johnston, 71′), Mulligan, Crust, Langstaff, Mulligan, Winter, Peacock (c) (Liddle, 70′), Hillerby (Robinson, 70′)

Unused subs: McGurk, Crager

Thornaby: Bowman, Morrison (c), Gamble, Weatherald, Joseph, Rowe, Jackson (Howes, 82′), Crainey, Brunskill, Green (Mitchell, 70′), Charlton

Unused subs: Brown, Evans, Morris

Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: £1

Attendance: 146

Chips: £1.50

Can of Pepsi: 80p

Referee: Peter Osgood