Report

Consett made it three wins in a row for the first time since they joined the Northern Premier League by beating Pontefract Collieries 3-1 at a blustery, freezing Belle View today.

The game was preceded by a minute’s applause in memory of Consett supporter Darren Blakey, who died this week.

And the Steelmen put on a performance he would have loved as they sent their visitors back to Yorkshire on the end of a defeat.

Pontefract had the strong wind at their back in the first half, and had early chances through Joe Lumsden and Jack Vann.

Jake Orrell missed a one-on-one with the keeper before Consett took the lead in the 19th minute, with Kieren Aplin firing into the bottom corner, pictured below, after turning his man. It was his sixth goal of the season, making him joint second-top scorer with Orrell.

Within a minute the visitors were level when Jack Greenhaugh’s long throw was only half-cleared and Spencer Clarke made it 1-1.

On 25 minutes Aplin thought he had a good shout for a penalty when he turned Clarke and appeared to be tripped, but the referee thought otherwise and booked him for diving.

Half-time was reached with the score still at 1-1, and the first 25 minutes of the second half were something of a non-event as both sides struggled to cope with the strengthening wind.

But Consett began to get on top, and took a deserved lead in the 72nd minute. They were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box for a foul on Aplin.

He took the kick himself, and keeper Lloyd Allinson made a good save, touching the ball onto the post, but defender Josh Baggs reacted quickest to turn it home from six yards out, for his first goal for the club.

Three minutes later the points were in the bag as Aplin’s pass found Calvin Smith, who turned and smashed the ball past Allinson from 15 yards. It was his first goal of the season.