Report

Consett went third in the Northern Premier League Division One East after a hard-fought win at Lincoln United.

Jake Orrell’s fifth goal of the season – his third in his last four games – gave the Steelmen the points on their first-ever visit to Ashby Avenue.

Manager Andy Coyles made two changes to the starting XI from the side which beat Shildon in midweek, with skipper Matty Slocombe returning in place of Mark McLeod in midfield and Zak Atkinson up front for Colin Larkin.

Lincoln had the game’s first attempt on goal on six minutes when 5 found space in the box but his effort was an easy save for Mark Foden.

On 10 minutes Consett were within a whisker of taking the lead with a great move. It started with Calvin Smith’s superb crossfield pass, which picked out Orrell on the left.

He sent in a wicked cross, which Zak Atkinson was inches away from connecting with, and Adam Mitchell, coming in at the back post, couldn’t direct his shot on target.

Lincoln’s right-back Louise Jarvis put a dangerous ball across the face of goal which no one could get on the end of, while midfielder Shane Clarke snatched at a shot and slashed it wide.

On 27 minutes Consett went close again through Cyril Giraud, who cut in from the left and unleashed a shot which the keeper found too hot to hold, but he recovered before Atkinson could benefit.

The visitors were starting to get on top, and Karl Byrne fired over the bar after going on a meandering run.

As half-time approached Atkinson brought a second good save from Lincoln keeper Liburd Hines, after good work by Mitchell and Giraud.

The Steelmen got what turned out to be the winning goal in the second added minute at the end of the first half. Mitchell fed the ball out to Jake Orrell on the left just outside the penalty area, and the midfielder took a touch before picking his spot in the top corner, pictured top.

Half-time: Lincoln United 0 Consett 1

Consett made a change at half-time, bringing on Lewis Green for Declan Bisset, but the second half saw the game turn very scrappy, with a series of fouls and players needing treatment.

When football broke out, it was Consett who were playing it, and they went close to doubling their lead in the 80th minute, when Green’s acrobatic volley from Orrell’s cross was superbly saved by Hines.

They had another chance to seal the points in the 84th minute, when Atkinson directed a header just wide from Orrell’s free kick, but with Smith and Dan Capewell in particular outstanding, Consett saw the game out comfortably to head home with three hard-earned points.

MATCH REPORT & PICTURES: GARY WELFORD