Report

Consett hit the road for their first Northern Premier League game of the season, but headed home empty handed after a 1-0 defeat at newly-promoted Sherwood Colliery.

Manager Tony Fawcett made three changes to the side which lost in the FA Cup the previous week, with Jordan Patterson and Belchior Rodrigues making their debuts and Kaleb Young also coming into the starting XI.

Isaac Walker had the first chance of the game on 15 minutes when a quick throw-in sent him clear of the napping Sherwood defence, but he fired his shot wide.

Wil Shaw fired over and a great low Ben Ramsey cross saw two players leave the ball for each other as Consett – wearing their new all-red away strip – continued to press for a goal.

The ‘home’ side, are playing at neighbours Rainworth Miners Welfare until their new 3G pitch is ready, didn’t threaten until the last five minutes of the first half, when James Anderson had to be quick off his line to deny Jacob Pearce.

Half-time: Sherwood Colliery 0 Consett 0

Anderson was called into action again in the opening minute of the second half when he saved from Aaron Korpal.

Shaw had another chance on 49 minutes, but keeper Jordan Pierrepont made a good save, and the loose ball was scrambled clear.

The decisive passage of the game came in the 56th minute, when Consett skipper Dan Capewell was judged to have fouled Korpal outside the box – an offence which earned him a booking.

Jamie York fired the resulting free-kick goalwards, the referee decided the ball struck Capewell on the arm as the Consett wall jumped, and awarded a penalty.

Aaron Korpal stepped up to send Anderson the wrong way from the spot and write his name into Sherwood’s history books with their first-ever NPL goal.

In the 62nd minute Consett saw their own piece of history being made when Calvin Smith came on as sub to make his 500th appearance for the club.

Ramsey fired wide after good work by Walker and Rodrigues, while at the other end Korpal missed a golden chance to double the Wood’s lead with the goal at his mercy.

Shaw, Jake Jensen and Walker all missed chances to grab a point for Consett, who also had a couple of let-offs at the other end, but when the final whistle went it was Sherwood who claimed all three points on the opening day of the league season.