Consett are through to the last 16 of the Durham Challenge Cup without kicking a ball after Tow Law Town forfeited tonight’s scheduled Durham Challenge Cup tie.

The 1st Round game was due to take place at their Ironworks Road ground tonight with a 7.30pm kick-off, but it has been cancelled after Tow Law said they had problems raising a team.

Remarkably, Consett have progressed to the 2nd Round without playing a game, as Durham City did the same the day before our scheduled Preliminary Round tie.

The draw for the next round has yet to take place, as most of the 1st Round ties are being played tonight and tomorrow.

The postponement means Consett’s next game – and their last of 2021 – will be this Saturday, 18 December, when we take on Newcastle Benfield at Belle View with a 3pm kick-off as we bid to extend our lead at the top of Northern League Division One.

Benfield parted company with manager Stuart Elliott after our 4-0 success in the FA Vase at Sam Smith’s Park at the weekend, and are inviting applications for his successor.