The plan for tonight was the Durham Minor Cup final between Deerness Valley and Hebburn Involve at Eppleton, but the later kick off at this game worked better, and it had been quite a while since I had watched a Billingham derby. It used to be a Boxing Day regular fixture for me, but it has been a few years since that has happened. This game was number 136 of the season, and that’s definitely a higher number than I thought it would be at the start of the season. I doubt I’ll reach 150 by the end of the season, but it could be possible.

Match report:

Town win Billingham Derby

Billingham Town finished their regular season with a 3-1 win at home to Billingham Synthonia in the Billingham Derby on Friday night.

Robbie Bird, Jack Pounder and Mitchell Noble were all on the scoresheet for the hosts, with Connor Johnson scoring Synners’ goal late in the game.

Upon kick-off, Billingham Town got off to the perfect start by taking the lead in just the third minute. They worked the ball into Bird on the edge of the penalty area, and his shot picked out the corner.

Town were the better side early on, and they had a few half chances. Two failed to find the target, and a third forced a save from Liam McGrath.

In the 25th minute, Town almost doubled their lead. A cross from the left picked out Pounder, and he connected well with a first time volley, but McGrath was able to save.

On a totally unrelated note, Chris Murray from FC Hartlepool was not a happy man. Three times he tried to get food (before kick-off, shortly after kick-off and later in the game), and every time nothing was available. Maybe they weren’t prepared for the bumper crowd.

Also on a totally unrelated note, there was an announcement on the tannoy with 15 minutes to play saying the Billingham Town players and management would be staying in the centre circle at full time if anyone wanted to go onto the pitch and shake their hands. Some did, but they were all of Billingham Town’s young vocal fans.

Billingham Town were in control for much of the first half, but the lead was only a narrow one at the break.

Seconds after the hour mark, Billingham Town doubled their lead courtesy of Pounder. Jack took responsibility of a free-kick in a very dangerous spot, and he lifted it over the wall before picking out the near top corner.

Billingham Town thought they had a third in the 78th minute when Leighton Harris converted from close range after an initial effort had been parried, but the flag was up for offside.

However, eight minutes later, it was three. A ball over the top from the right was missed by a Synthonia defender, and the ball bounced through to Noble who had plenty of time to pick his spot before firing the ball high into the net.

In the 88th minute, Synthonia scored their goal. They worked the ball into Johnson who picked out the bottom corner. It was quite a simple goal to manufacture, and defensively it was a very poor one to concede.

Despite getting a goal back, there was to be no comeback and Billingham Town claimed the bragging rights.

Full-time: Billingham Town 3-1 Billingham Synthonia

Next up for me is Ryton & Crawcrook Albion vs Easington Colliery tomorrow.

Billingham Town: Winter, James, Price, Riding (c), Nelson, Harrison, Bird (Harris, 62′), Wallace (Noble, 67′), Pounder (Wade 72′), Bell (Middleton, 67′), Gordon (Spalding, 52′)

No unused subs

Billingham Synthonia: McGrath, Wilson, Groom, Kirkbride (Banki, 50′), Johnson, Simpson, Caygill, Travers (Willshaw, 61′), Johnson (Shilham, 26′), Lavan (c), Spozio

Unused subs: Rudd, Fairless

Admission: £6 adults, £4 concessions

Programme: £2 but I didn’t get one

Attendance: 565 (I didn’t think it looked that many)