Tow Law (1) vs (2) Billingham Synthonia, Saturday 27th January

TOW LAW TOWN: Norton, Gowland, Hollingsworth (Sullivan), Mudd(c), Renshaw, Langthorne, Dixon, Marsh, Innes, Wilkinson (Maughan),Walker (Shields).
Subs not used: Allen, Hutt.

BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Jackson, Shaw, Baynes (Perry), Hanson(c) Atkinson, Cater, Flanagan (Campbell), Close, Honeyman, Iley, Jameson.
Subs not used: Radigan, Ellison, Guy.

Referee: Mr J Corkhill

Billingham started the game with two half chances. Firstly after 3 minutes Simon Shaw sent a ball over the top of the Lawyers defence into the path of Michael Cater who just couldn't get on the end of the pass. A minute later Flanagan was brought down to leave Shaw to try his luck from a 35 yard free-kick which was easily blocked.
Tow Law took the lead in the 9th minute when a Kraig Wilkinson corner from the right stabbed home by RICHIE LANGTHORNE from close range.
Tow Law 1 – 0 Billingham Synthonia.
The visitors nearly had another chance on 12 minutes when Shaw's free-kick was angled toward Christian Hanson in space who failed to connect.
The Lawyers almost extended their lead after 13 minutes, Anth Marsh played in Lee Innes and he advanced into the penalty area from the right, only to shoot at the side netting.
The home side continued to press, and should have scored in the 17th minute when Innes picked up Kevin Dixon’s cross to shoot from close range, Synners 'keeper John Jackson did well to save.
After 24 minutes with Billingham trying to get into the game, Hanson crossed for Cater to head at goal, but failing to trouble Jack Norton in the Lawyers goal.
Synthonia levelled after 25 minutes when a short corner from Michael Jameson was crossed by Shaw for LEE FLANAGAN to meet with a precision header into the top corner of the net.
Tow Law 1 – 1 Billingham Synthonia.
Billingham finished the half strongly. After 38 minutes Flanagan made a good run down the left but couldn't get a shot in. Then Hanson saw a shot blocked a minute later after getting into a good position. Colin Iley then headed wide in the 42nd minute from a Shaw cross.
Half-time: Tow Law 1, Synners 1
Billingham started the second period with purpose, winning two free-kicks in the Tow Law half, but not breaching the Lawyers rearguard.
There was a scare for Synners after 58 minutes when Jackson made a poor kick out after a back pass, Steven Baynes put a Tow Law striker under pressure before Jackson recovered to smother the ball.
Billingham almost took the lead in the 60th minute when Brian Close found space on the edge of the penalty area to send in a shot that hit the cross-bar.
On 65 minutes, Innes was cautioned after a clash with a defender.
Tow Law had a good opportunity in the 66th minute when Kevin Dixon did well on the right. The shot however, was blocked by Christian Hanson.
The home side almost regained the lead after 70 minutes when a Langthorne free-kick from 25 yards almost caught out 'keeper Jackson who re-adjusted to save well, low to his right.
Billingham took the lead in the 73rd minute. The Lawyers conceded a needless free kick on the edge of their own area and SIMON SHAW stepped up to take a free-kick on the left side of goal that took a slight deflection to wrong foot Jack Norton and go past the 'keeper. Tow Law 1 – 2 Billingham Synthonia.
Synners almost extended their lead after 83 minutes when substitute Neil Campbell latched onto a good ball over the top to square for Colin Iley who brought a good save from 'keeper Norton.
The Lawyers tried desperately to salvage something from the game with some pressure in the closing minutes, but couldn't get near enough to the Synthonia goal.
Deep into added time, Innes got behind the visitors’ defence and attempted to lift the ball over Jackson, only to see it clear the crossbar as well.
Final score: Tow Law 1 – 2 Billingham Synthonia.

Jarrow Roofing (4) vs (0) Tow Law , Saturday 19th January

Jarrow – Dowell, Hodgson, Rain, Graham, Pendergood, Catto, Archer, Gibson, Tate, Logan, Hutchinson.
Subs – Taylor, Hughes, Jenkins, Thompson, Gibson.

Tow Law – Norton, Marsh, Hollingsworth, Mudd, Young, Langthorne, Renshaw, Walker, McGuire, Maughan, Eccles.
Subs – Haris, Sullivan, Shields, Allen, Wilkinson.

The game was less than 3 minutes old when Archer played the ball behind the Tow Law defence for Gibson to run clear. Norton parried the first attempt, but was unable to prevent Gibson rolling the ball into the empty net.
Jarrow 1 – 0 Tow Law.
On 7 minutes, Tate had a chance to increase the lead, but Norton saved with his legs.
On 16 minutes, Eccles delivered a cross into the home goal area, but Maughan was unable to direct his header and the ball went well over the crossbar.
On 27 minutes, Norton saved well from Tate and delivered a long clearance down the centre of the pitch. A mix up in the Jarrow defence, whilst under pressure from Renshaw, saw Pendergood head the ball past Dowell in the home goal. As the ball rolled towards the net, Dowell raced back to dive on it and prevent it from crossing the line.
On 33 minutes, Logan found himself free at the far post from Archer’s cross, only to see Norton save well.
On 39 minutes, Eccles played a dangerous corner into the goal area, only for Hollingsworth to head over the bar when well placed.
On 40 minutes, Eccles corner was played to Marsh, who crossed to Hollingsworth, unmarked on the 6 yard line, who headed well wide of the target.
2 minutes later, Hodgson played a long ball from right back, over the Tow Law defence. Tate ran on to advance on goal and score past Norton.
Jarrow 2 – 0 Tow Law.
There was still time for Walker to deliver a free kick onto the head of Hollingsworth, who this time did get his effort on target, but Dowell saved well.
Half time; Jarrow 2 – 0 Tow Law.
Tow law switched from 4-5-1 to a standard 4-4-2 for the second half.
On 56 minutes, Tate shot straight across the Lawyers’ goal, with none of his collegues able to apply the final touch.
On 61 minutes, Sullivan replaced Maughan.
On 67 minutes, Jarrow again threatened to increase their lead when Archer’s cross flew across the goal, with the home forwards unable to get a touch on the ball.
On 70 minutes, Logan carried the ball into the Tow Law penalty area, almost without challenge and crossed for Hutchinson to head home from close range.
Jarrow 3 – 0 Tow Law.
On 71 minutes, Shields replaced Walker.
If there was any doubt as to the outcome, it was totally finished on 74 minutes. Hutchinson collected the ball 20 yards from goal and fired into the roof of the net.
Jarrow 4 – 0 Tow Law.
On 80 minutes, Marsh was booked for dissent.
It could have been even worse on 83 minutes. Logan again got behind the Lawyers defence and took the ball around Norton. Langthorne recovered sufficient ground to clear off the line and regain his footing to clear the follow up attempt from Tate.
ON 86 minutes Harris replaced Young.
On 89 minutes, Logan again raced clear of the visitors’ defence, only to blast over the bar from 18 yards.
Right on full time, Mudd and Catto were booked after a flare-up in the middle of the park.
Overall, a day to forget against the League’s basement team.
Full time; Jarrow 4 – 0 Tow Law.

Billingham Town (0) vs (2) Tow Law , Saturday 12th January

Billingham Town – Collier, Diamond, Casey, Abel, Hutchinson, Chapman, Huggins, Harbron, Magowan, Jameson, McKie.
Subs – Smith, Forster, Banks, Scott.

Tow Law – Norton, March, Hollingsworth, Mudd, Young, Langthorne, McGuire, Walker, Teasdale, Maughan, Eccles.
Subs – Brazauskas, Harris, Wilkinson, Allen.

Tow Law’s opponents, for the 4th time this season were Billingham Town. The Lawyers included new signings, Keith Young (defender), Ben Harris (forward) & Jack Norton (goalkeeper) in the squad.
On 6 minutes, Norton’s poor clearance fell to Harbron, who set up McKie to shoot wide of the left hand post.
On 9 minutes, Jameson was replaced by Banks and 2 minutes later, he shot straight at Norton when well placed.
On 12 minutes, Eccles played in Teasdale, playing as a lone striker. He turned in the box and shot at goal, but Collier saved well.
On 15 minutes, Young’s headed clearance fell to Chapman, who shot from the edge of the box. Norton easily held the ball.
After 19 minutes a dangerous cross from Huggins found Banks free at the far post, but he headed wide of the goal.
Diamond was booked on 24 minutes for a foul on Eccles.
On 40 minutes, Eccles delivered an excellent corner into the goal area, Teasdale shot but Collier saved well and pushed the ball for another corner. Eccles delivered this 1 right under the bar and Collier punched it clear.
In stoppage time, Eccles delivered another dangerous corner to Hollingsworth, who was unmarked but shot wide from 4 yards.
Half time; Billingham Town 0 – 0 Tow Law Town.
The 2nd half saw Tow Law come racing out of the blocks.
On 48 minutes, Teasdale collected the ball in the penalty area, turn and sit up a superb cross to the back post for McGuire to head into the net past Collier.
Billingham Town 0 – 1 Tow Law Town.
Billingham failed to respond and on 53 minutes, Langthorne advanced through midfield and unleased a terrific driven low shot past Collier’s despairing left hand into the corner of the net from 25 yards.
Billingham Town 0 – 2 Tow Law Town.
On 59 minutes, Banks shot from distance. With the ball arcing towards the top corner of the net, Norton expertly tipped the ball over the bar for a corner.
Eccles was finding his range with corner kicks and on 73 minutes he, again delivered the ball right under the home crossbar. Unfortunately, none of the Lawyers could apply the final touch and Collier was able to collect the ball.
On 78 minutes, Chapman found himself well placed fromCasey’s cross, but he could only shoot tamely at Norton in the Lawyers goal.
On 82 minutes, after unselfishly running himself in to the ground for the team, Teasdale was replaced by debutant Harris. Almost immediately, Billingham attacked and Harbron found himself well placed in front of goal, but couldn’t keep his header down.
Right on full time, Casey delivered a deep cross to MacGowan and Norton collected his headed attempt on goal.
Full time; Billingham Town 0 – 2 Tow Law Town.
A good performance and well deserved win for the Lawyers.

Gateshead (2) vs (0) Tow Law , Wedensday 9th December

Tow Law – Allen, Gowland, Hollingsworth, Mudd, Hutt, Langthorne, McGuire, Walker, Wilkinson, Brazauskas, Eccles.
Subs – Teasdale, Maughan, Innes, Sullivan, Wright.

Tow Law visited Unimond Premier League Gatehead’s International stadium for this Durham County Cup Quarter Final.
Gateshead started brightly, determined to show their higher league status, pushing the Tow Law defence for the first 10 minutes.
Not until the 11th minute did Tow Law threaten the Gateshead goal, containing ex-Lawyer Ian Aitkin. Mark Eccles left foot shot from 25 yards was well over the bar.
On 14 minutes, Armstrong advanced on the Lawyers’ goal, his shot bringing a good save from Allen.
On 16 minutes, Brazauskas (Biscuit) made a good run into the home box, his cross to the far post evading Wilkinson.
On 20 minutes, the Tow Law defence failed to properly clear & Harwood shot just wide from the edge of the box.
5 minutes later, Phillip’s crossfield ball fell to Armstrong, but Langthorne cleared the shot out for a corner.
Manager, Michael Vasey replaced Biscuit with Lee Innes.
On 33 minutes, Wilkinson’s shot brought a good save from Aitkin, who diverted the ball for a corner.
From this Gateshead broke clear to win a free kick 22 yards from the Lawyers’ goal. Allen pushed the shot around the post for a corner, which Cave headed wide.
After 40 minutes, Hollingsworth ventured forward to carry the ball into the home area, earning a corner after a last ditch tackle as he was about to shoot.
On 42 minutes, Walker was cautioned for a late tackle.
Right on half time, Gowland delivered an excellent free kick into the box, Hollingsworth headed goalwards, but Aitkin pushed the ball around the post.
Half time; Gateshead 0 – 0 Tow Law Town.
Gowland, who had been doubtful with an injury, was replaced by Maughan 2 minutes into the second half.
On 48 minutes, when well placed, Innes shot wide of the Gateshead goal.
A minute later, Tow Law failed to get distance on a clearance & Harwood shot over the bar from 20 yards.
Wilkinso, who had also been doubtful with an injury, was replaced by Teasdale on 53 minutes.
On 63 minutes, Gateshead manager, Ian Bogie made 3 substitutions.
Innes had a free header a MINUTE LATER, BUT COULD ONLY DIRECT THE BALL STRAIGHT AT Aitkin from 6 yards.
On 69 minutes, Maughan was cautioned for a robust tacle on Phillips.
Phillips low shot on 71 minutes was parried by Allen, with Hollingsworth completing the clearance.
Langthorne tackled Southern from behind on 74 minutes, right in front of the 2 dugouts. Both benches disagreed with each other, but Langtorne was the 3rd Lawyer to be cautioned by match referee, Steve Smith.
On 76 minutes, Cave picked up the ball and advanced, unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Allen’s goal from 30 yards.
Gateshead 1 – 0 Tow Law Town.
Teasdale responded at the opposite end, turning to shoot but Aitkin parried and the ball was cleared.
On 80 minutes, from walker’s diagonal ball, Teasdale headed goalwards, bringing a good save from Aitkin.
On 85 minutes, Allen left his goal to kick clear. The ball fell to Bowey, who controlled and let fly from 45 yards, only to see the ball go past the left hand upright.
With Tow Law pushing for an equaliser, Gateshead broke clear to gain a corner. As the ball came over, Dudgeon out jumped everyone to head into the roof of the net on 89 minutes.
Gateshead 2 – 0 Tow Law Town.
In the 91st minute, Teasdale chipped Aitkin from 25 yards, only to see the ball rebound off the post. It obviously wasn’t the Lawyers’ night, despite matching their opponents for large parts of the game, they were knocked out of the Durham Challenge Cup by the Unibond outfit.
Full time; Gateshead 2 – 0 Tow Law Town.