Report

Consett got their Northern Premier League campaign off to a winning start today as they enjoyed a 2-1 victory at Division One East newcomers Winterton Rangers.

Skipper Matty Slocombe got them off to a flying start with his first goal in 50 games after just four minutes. He won possession to the left of the penalty area and beat three opponents in a mazy run before curling the ball into the top corner.

In the seventh minute it was almost two when Ben Ramsey smashed a fine low effort from 25 yards, which home keeper Nathan Popple did well to push around the post.

Winterton had to wait until the 13th minute for their first chance, but their No 9 Adam Baskerville scooped his effort over the bar. The home side, newly promoted from the Northern Counties East League, had another chance eight minutes later, but Consett keeper saved right-back Sam Aynsley’s initial shot and then leapt up to thwart the same player from the rebound.

The home side were enjoying a good spell, and got their reward in the 34th minute when they won possession on the left, and when a long ball dropped over the Consett defence Adam Baskerville ran clear to lob the advancing Anderson to make it 1-1.

Consett almost regained the lead four minutes later when Ben Milburn’s header came back off the bar and Scott Fenwick drilled the rebound straight at the keeper.

Anderson made a good save from Paul Grimes’s free-kick and Calvin Smith fired wide from 25 yards as the sides traded chances, but the interval arrived with the scores level.

Winterton dangerman Josh Walker put a shot into the side netting as the home side started the second half brightly, but Consett got what proved to be the winning goal in the 57th minute.

Slocombe won the ball in the air, and it dropped to Scott Fenwick, who took it down superbly on the edge of the box, beat his man, and buried a shot in the bottom corner for his third goal in two games.

Consett could have had a third goal in the 83rd minute when Wil Shaw was fouled by Popple as he chased a loose ball, but the keeper made amends by saving Zak Atkinson’s penalty kick.

The keeper made an even better save a minute later when Atkinson hit a superb dipping shot which looked destined for the top corner, but Popple got a good hand to it.

Atkinson had another chance to seal the points in the last of seven added minutes, breaking clear of the Winterton defence, but he put his shot straight at the keeper.

There was no time for Winterton to try to rescue a point, and Consett and their big contingent of travelling supporters in the 205 crowd were left celebrating back-to-wins away wins after the previous week’s FA Cup success at Kendal.

• Full match report, statistics, pictures and post-match interview to follow.