Consett Reserves kept their hopes of a league and cup double very much alive today when they beat Billingham Synthonia AR 5-0 to record their sixth win in a row.

It keeps the second-placed young Steelmen seven points behind leaders Deerness Valley in Division Three of the Wearside League.

Top scorer Jamie Edmunds gave Consett the lead on the half hour from the penalty spot, pictured top, and doubled their advantage a few minutes later after great work by Jacob Kennyford, pictured below.

Edmunds thought he had his hat-trick after the break with another penalty, but the referee ordered it to be retaken for encroachment by a Consett player.

The Billingham keeper saved the retaken kick, and the follow-up, and two further shots were blocked on the line in a remarkable passage of play before Owen Butler slammed home the ball to make it 3-0.

Two minutes later Tom Eglin added a fourth as the home side carved open the visitors’ defence, and skipper Kieran Scott made it 5-0 with a cool finish.

Consett thought they had a sixth when a header from a corner appeared to cross the line, but the referee decided a defender had cleared it.

* Consett Reserves’ next game is at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 2 May, when they entertain league leaders Deerness Valley in a potential title decider.