Report

Newly-promoted Emley took their unbeaten run to six games and gave Consett a lesson in finishing as the Steelmen slumped to the foot of the table at a blustery Belle View.

Manager Tony Fawcett was without four regulars, including goalkeeper James Anderson, who has a hand injury, and his side suffered a further blow when Cieran Ure, who was due to start in goal, suffered a knee injury in the warm-up.

It meant a debut for teenager Luke Spoor, while Jake Jensen replaced the injured Shay Richardson in midfield in the other change from the previous game against Garforth.

Emley took the lead in the 33rd minute when Luke Parkin’s left-wing corner was missed by Spoor, and Amir Berchill found himself unmarked at the back post to head home.

Two minutes later they almost doubled their lead when James Walshaw burst through, but Spoor saved his initial shot, and defender Liam Colledge made a superb goal-line clearance from the follow-up.

Six minutes before the break Consett had their best chance of the half when Belchior Rodrigues brought a good save from Emley keeper Declam Lambton with a well-struck half-volley.

Half-time: Consett 0 Emley 1

Consett started the second half on the front foot. Rodrigues had another chance after playing a lovely one-two with Kieren Aplin, but stabbed his shot just wide.

On 72 minutes Stephen Hall, who came on as a sub as he returned from injury, did well to play in Ben Ramsey, but the winger’s effort rattled the post with the keeper beaten.

The misses proved costly, as we’ve seen so often at this level, when Emley doubled their lead in the 79th minute. Calvin Smith was harshly booked for deliberate handball, and when Parkin swung in the resulting free-kick, centre-back Sam Pashley headed home.

Two minutes later it was 3-0 as Consett failed to deal with another set piece, and Sam Pashley stabbed the ball home from close range to put the game out of Consett’s reach.

Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, a goal by Alhassane Keita in the second minute of added time made it 4-0 to Emley, and left Consett, who haven’t scored in three league games, propping up the Division One East table.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICTURES: KENNY TAYLOR & GARY WELFORD