Consett are top of the Northern League Division on goal difference tonight after thumping West Allotment Celtic 5-0 at Belle View Stadium.

The Steelmen made it four wins from four games, with a two-goal blast either side of half-time doing most of the damage against their newly-promoted visitors.

It was a night of firsts, with Dan Marriott getting his first goal for the club, James Metcalfe making his first start, and Harry Pilkington and Drew Lake being given competitive debuts as subs.

Striker Dale Pearson joined the select band of players who have scored 50 goals for the club, and the goal of the night came from Luke Carr – a superb half-volley from a perfect pass by Pearson.

It took 40 minutes for Terry Mitchell’s side to break down his old club, and when the goal came it was a good one.

Carl Lawson’s pass from the left picked out Dan Marriott, and the young midfielder smashed the ball home from eight yards for his first senior goal for the club.

Three minutes later it was 2-0, as Carr’s right-wing cross was flicked goalwards by the head of skipper Arjun Purewal,. No one seems quite sure how it crossed the line until we’ve watched back the footage, but a goalkeeping error seems likely.

Eleven minutes into the second half it was 3-0, as Dale Pearson latched onto Jake Orrell’s pass, rounded the keeper, who’d come racing out of his area, and walked the ball into the unguarded net.

Two minutes later the big striker turned provider for the goal of the game, hitting a superb crossfield pass from right to left, which Luke Carr crashed home on the half-volley from 20 yards to make it 4-0, pictured top.

Midway through the half Carr almost grabbed another goal with an audacious lob from the centre circle after spotting the keeper off his line, but his effort was a foot or two off target.

Consett did make it five in the 78th minute when Dale Pearson picked up the ball 30 yards out and hit a firm low shot. The keeper appeared to have it covered, but the ball squirmed through his grasp and over the line.

It was the striker’s third goal of the season, making him our top scorer, and his 50th goal for the club in just his 59th game.

Next up for Consett are Newton Aycliffe, the only other club in the 1st Division with a 100% record this season. Kick-off at Belle View is 3pm on Saturday, and it should be a cracker.

• Full match report and more pictures to follow.