Billingham Synthonia Reserves Dominate Durham County Colts 6-1 At Wellfield School

Basics First, Basics Right

Durham County Colts 1–6 Billingham Synthonia Reserves

Saturday 8th November 2025 – Wellfield School, 2:00pm KO

Billingham Synthonia Reserves travelled to Wellfield School to face Durham County Colts in what proved to be a commanding and mature team performance, securing a comprehensive 6–1 victory away from home.

The match showcased everything that has been developing within this group — composure on the ball, intensity without it, and a collective desire to dominate in every area of the pitch.

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Team Shape and Approach

Lining up in a 3-4-1-2, Synthonia set the tone early.

• Back three: Taylor Callimeri, Joshua Thornton, and Bobby Johnson — solid and confident in distribution.

• Midfield: Nathan Atkinson, Kane Warrick, Leighton Carberry, and Ayden Mahachi — full of energy, control, and discipline.

• Ahead of them: Kaden Lancaster operating between the lines, supporting the front two — Logan Stevenson and Peter Jason, both lively and dangerous throughout.

• In goal: Liam Harman, calm and reliable.

From the first whistle, Billingham looked assured. An early intervention from Harman kept things level before Logan Stevenson opened the scoring on nine minutes after a sharp assist from Peter Jason.

The pressure didn’t let up, and just before the break Nathan Atkinson doubled the advantage before Stevenson added his second to send Synthonia into half-time 3–0 ahead — dominant, disciplined, and clinical.

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Controlled and Composed Second Half

After the restart, Kaden Lancaster wasted no time in extending the lead from the penalty spot following good work from Atkinson. Even after Kane Warrick’s dismissal at 52 minutes, the side stayed calm and organised — showing great maturity to keep control despite being down to ten men.

A perfectly executed set piece saw Leighton Carberry head home from a Lancaster delivery to make it five, and the same duo combined again later as Carberry produced a superb close-range scissors kick for Billingham’s sixth.

Throughout the half, substitutions brought fresh energy — Watton, Mowbray, Docherty, Donnison, Perry, and Pearson all contributing to the flow and maintaining the standards that have become the expectation.

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Late Lapse and Lessons

Unfortunately, the clean sheet slipped away in the closing stages as Durham grabbed a consolation from close range. It was a momentary lapse in concentration and a drop in standards, a small reminder that focus must remain absolute until the final whistle.

Though frustrating, it takes nothing away from what was otherwise an excellent all-round display — full of teamwork, discipline, and belief in the process.

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Manager’s Reflection

“I’m incredibly proud of the lads today. From start to finish we controlled the game, played our football, and showed real maturity both in and out of possession. Even when we went down to ten men, there was a calmness and togetherness about the group that shows how far we’ve come as a team.

The only disappointment is conceding right at the end — that momentary lapse cost us the clean sheet we deserved, and that’s something we’ll learn from. Standards matter, and the lads know that.

Can I also just say — full credit to the subs at half-time. We didn’t go inside due to how far away the changing rooms were, and although everyone knows what’s required, I didn’t once have to ask the subs to warm up while we had our half-time talk on the side. Massive respect, lads. ????

Overall, this was a performance built on trust, discipline, and hard work — exactly what we’re about. The result was deserved, but the manner of it is what makes me proud.”

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Man of the Match ??

Very close decision — both Leighton Carberry and Nathan Atkinson, along with several others, fully deserved it today.

However, “Victor Meldrew” had his best game in a Synners shirt — well done @Nathan Atkinson ??????

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Conclusion

Standards have been set.

Consistency is key;

Performance.

Availability.