Back Post Brandon Steals In To Snatch Park View A Vital Win

Dylan Robson

Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 14th March 2026 Billingham Synthonia 0 v 1 Park View AFC

If you have the ability to keep a clean sheet then you only need one goal to win a game. Sounds simple doesn't it? Easy said than done as Park View found out midweek at Esh Winning but on Saturday against Synthonia they did manage it.

A third successive away clean sheet but this time with a goal helped them pick up a vital win in their quest for a play-off place. A win that for now propels them back into the top five and ignites the promotion flame.

They have played more games than their rivals around them but sometimes it's better to have the points rather than the games. A fact that Park View themselves have proven in recent weeks as they initially didn't close the gap.

But, on Saturday they did. With FC Hartlepool going down to a surprise 3-2 home defeat to Tow Law Town and Chester-le-Street Town's game at Redcar Town falling victim of the recent rain Park View taking advantage.

Head Coach Micky Nelson made one change to his starting XI from Wednesday. Niall Armstrong who has impressed from the bench in recent games earning that start. Jacob Mallinson dropping to the bench.

On a bright sunny day at Stockton Town's Map Group UK Stadium and the 3G surface the game kicked off and it was obvious from the start it was going to be a tough hard fought close encounter. Both sides looking committed.

Synners are struggling at the wrong end of the table and were as much in need of the three points than the loftier placed Park View and they were certainly not going to lay down and die.

The opening exchanges being battled and hard fought in midfield as both sides looked to create openings. It being a full eight minutes before we saw the first strike on goal.

Harry Healy for the home side taking it. Latching on to a loose ball some 35-yards from goal he attempted to catch James Hughes off his line. But although his effort was on target it didn't have power and Hughes collected comfortably.

As the game settled in it was Park View that were having the majority of possession and pushing forward but Synners were dealing and holding them well in the early stages.

Indeed Billingham produced the next attack that threatened a goal. From a diagonal free kick from halfway centre back Seb Waller got on the end of it and powered a tremendous header inches wide of Hughes' far post.

However the flag had gone up for offside and should the ball have gone in it would have been rightly ruled out. Park View's best moment thus far came not longer after.

Brandon Young's ball forward into the box seeing Stephen Siyanbola showing great feet and hold up play to wriggle free but as he fired his cross into the middle Freddie McBride intercepted conceding a corner.

Ben Gallagher delivered a dangerous corner into the middle of the box. Billingham captain and keeper Will Lawrence under pressure doing really well to punch the ball clear.

Lawrence was alert again when Gallagher played a free kick from half way that Siyanbola flicked on towards Charlie Loveday. Lawrence quickly off his line to claim the ball.

Synners then forced two quick corners in succession that Josh Hodgkinson delivered. The first of which saw two Billingham players Sam Irvine and Healy collided dangerously as they both went for the same ball.

Thankfully though after treatment both were able to continue. The second saw Danny Dryden challenge Frankie Young with the ball falling to Irvine about 16-yards out but his instant chipped effort was well over the top.

The home side despite conceding possession were creating the better chances with more direct play and balls into the heart of the Park View defence. One such ball cleared long by Lawrence brought the clearest chance of the game.

Dryden flicking it on to Irvine inside the box and he had a clear shooting opportunity with only Hughes in front of him. But Synners' top scorer smashed the good chance wide of the left hand post.

Park View were forced into a change on 35 minutes with Gallagher limping off to be replaced by Mallinson. This forced a reshuffle with versatile Ollie Taylor moving to right back and Mallinson slotting into the midfield.

Loveday did well just after the reshuffle to break away in midfield and find Siyanbola at the edge of the box. A half chance for the big striker but his effort was well blocked by McBride.

Then Park View almost snatched the lead. Siyanbola being fouled by McBride about 35-yards in the inside right channel. Mallinson delivered a superb ball to the back post and Dylan Robson came steaming on to the ball.

From inside the six-yard box but at a tight angle he smashed a tremendous volley at pace that went inches over the bar. A golden chance but one that wasn't taken unluckily as Robson did all he could.

Back came Park View with Taylor playing a great ball into the channel on the right for Siyanbola to run onto. This time he was denied a shooting chance by Jacob Owen's timely challenge. A corner to Park View.

Mallinson delivered into a dangerous area and a massive scramble ensued. Bodies all over the place with Lawrence going down under a challenge from Siyanbola that Synners took exception too.

Handbags at ten paces followed with several players involved. When the dust settled it was a yellow card brandished to Siyanbola for the initial challenge and the end of a well contested half with little in the way of chances for both sides.

Amazingly enough the second 45 minutes opened almost in the same way the the first had ended. Armstrong and Mallinson combining well to get a ball to Siyanbola inside the box.

McBride and Lawrence coming together to block Park View's striker and all three clashing into each other and all hitting the deck. Again physios were called and Synners wanted action on Siyanbola.

But although the referee awarded a free kick to Synners after the carnage cleared there was no further action deemed necessarily and the game continued.

A neat Park View move saw Frankie Young find Loveday well who played a good square ball to Mallinson who made space and struck a well-hit shot from 25-yards that flew wide with Lawrence untroubled.

A cross from the left by Adam Groom saw Healy take a good touch about 22-yards out. The ball sitting up nicely for him to strike a good shot on target but it was staright at Hughes who saved neatly.

Then Siyanbola missed a great chance to break the stalemate. Jamie Frizzel's ball from left back over the top of the Synners defence seeing Siyanbola time his run really well to get inside the box.

He controlled the ball well initially but with just Lawrence in front of him then blazed the ball well over the bar from a really good position to waste the chance and keep the score line blank.

A lovely Park View move saw Brandon Young making ground then passing to Mallinson who held the ball up well and waited for Taylor's overlapping run. The ball rolled into Taylor's path perfectly.

His right wing cross on the run perfectly delivered. Siyanbola getting across the defence but from 8-yards he couldn't direct his powerful header on target and Lawrence watched it over the bar.

Loveday then showed good footwork out left to create space to find Armstrong who made a determined run towards the Billingham box. He tried a curling effort from the edge but again it was just too high and drifted over the bar.

It did feel though that Park View were now on top and knocking on the door. They finally opened it on 67 minutes taking the lead that their pressure had created.

Siyanbola put Loveday through on goal and he had a great chance. But Lawrence was quickly off his line to make a great block. Loveday though retained his composure and latched on to the loose ball.

Looking up he spotted Brandon Young breaking late into the box. A perfectly placed chip found his marauding midfielder superbly and Young guided his firm header into the inviting net to put Park View in front.

Back Post Brandon Young

It was almost two moments later. Frizzel making ground on the left and then putting Siyanbola through on goal. Once again though Lawrence came to his side's rescue as he rushed off his line to make a superb block.

It was Siyanbola's last chance to add to his 12 league goals for the season as he was replaced by Sam Beattie with 18 minutes to go. Billingham were now in need for an equaliser and pushed forward.

Irvine drifting in field from the left and tried a 20-yard effort but it was straight at Hughes who had no issues in collecting it easily. Park View then on 76 minutes replaced Frankie Young with Harry Laydon.

Billingham were showing good spirit and endeavour and forced a couple of corners the first from a long Lawrence clearance that Taylor put behind. But Hughes and his defenders were up to the task of clearing any possible danger.

At the other end Laydon won a tackle well in midfield then finding Brandon Young who in turn opened up space for Mallinson with a nice pass. Mallinson letting fly from 22-yards but it was straight at Lawrence.

Park View's last change of the afternoon saw Alex Clark come on for Armstrong with Mallinson moving right and Robson moving into midfield to allow Clark a place in the centre of the Park View defence.

Laydon then laid a great ball out right to Mallinson who skinned Groom before getting in a great cross that Jack Lamb did really well to turn away for a corner with Beattie unmarked behind him in a good position.

Mallinson's corner was a good one and Frizzel went for the header but Lawrence got there first and made a great catch under pressure to avert any danger to his goal.

Then with time ticking down Hughes showed exactly why he's so highly rated in this Division. Having been a virtual spectator for most of the second half he was called into spectacular action.

A cross from the left was half cleared by Dylan Wilkinson but the ball fell to Healy on the edge of the box who struck a superb first time half volley. It looked destined for the top corner.

Hughes though had other ideas and produced a stunning reflex save at full stretch to keep his goal and Park View's lead intact. A superb piece of top class goal keeping.

At the other end Park View almost created another opportunity. Beattie playing a great ball to Loveday you got to the byline and pulled it back towards Beattie. But he was denied an opportunity to pull the trigger by McBride's interception.

Into injury time and Billingham hitting balls into the heart of the Park View defence and throwing bodies into the box. But this resolute and superbly organised Park View defence held firm and protected Hughes' goal.

A couple of last ditch clearances from Frizzel and Wilkinson in particular enabling that 18th clean sheet of the season to be achieved and a precious three points to be garnered at the final whistle.

It was tight. It was tense and it was tough. But it was also a terrific win that means for now Park View are back where they hope to end the season, in thos play-off positions.

TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Ben Gallagher 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Ollie Taylor 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Dylan Robson 7. Niall Armstrong 8. Frankie Young 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Brandon Young 11. Charlie Loveday

SUBS : 12. Alex Clark (for Armstrong 84 mins) 14. Harry Laydon (for F. Young 76 mins) 15. Sam Beattie (for Siyanbola 72 mins) 16. Jacob Mallinson (for Gallagher 35 mins)

SCORER : Brandon Young 67

PLAYER of the MATCH : Dylan Robson