Match Report: Newcastle Benfield vs Thornaby

Newcastle Benfield stretched their home winning run to two games in the EBAC Northern League Division One with a hard fought one nil victory over Thornaby.

A curled effort from Andre Bennett was enough to see the home team over the line.

The first half was a fairly even one with neither side creating many clear cut chances, with Benfield probably just edging it.

The Lions went ahead on the 17th minute when captain Andre Bennett scored a lovely free kick, after he was brought down on the edge of the box.

The home team should’ve doubled their advantage seconds later, after striker Joseph Thompson nutmegged the Thornaby defender to go through on goal, but unselfishly opted to pass rather than shoot and the chance fell through.

Thornaby were physical and did have the ball for large parts of the first half, but struggled to create any clear cut chances before half time arrived.

Thornaby came out with the same intensity and work rate they’d shown in the first half – however again it took them a while to create any real chances.

Thornaby came closest in the 58th minute when the wind nearly took the ball in from a corner – Jack Watson was in position to clear the ball off the line.

The away team continued to pose a threat from corners – consistently putting the ball on Benfield keeper Preston Leech’s head.

Thornaby finally got their goal in the 91st minute of the game – only for it to be ruled offside by the linesman – breaking the Teesiders’ hearts.