Report

Consett picked up a useful away point with a 1-1 draw at Pontefract Collieries in new manager Jason Miller’s first game in charge.

And they came close to taking all three with an excellent second-half display which saw them come from behind and almost beat a side who made the NPL play-offs last season.

Miller was without six players through injury, and had three teenagers on the bench, but his side played some good football in a battling display which augurs well for the weeks and months ahead.

Isaac Walker, Wil Shaw and Jake Jensen all had chances in the first half, but it was Pontefract who led at the break after scoring in first-half injury time.

A long throw from the left by skipper Jack Greenhough found the head of centre-back Danny Burns, and with keeper Harry Moss unsighted, the ball bounced into the far corner to make it 1-0.

Half-time: Pontefract Collieries 1 Consett 0

Consett’s equaliser came on 75 minutes when a short corner from the left was played to Isaac Walker, who cut inside and beat his man before curling an excellent shot into the far corner.

Calvin Smith was inches away from putting Consett in front with a 35-yarder which fizzed just past the post, and Wil Shaw was denied by the keeper as Consett took the game to their hosts.

Kieran Ceesay had a chance to win it for Colls on 84 minutes, but Moss stood up well to save, and it was Consett who finished stronger.

Shaw and Ben Ramsey had chances to win it, but were denied on both occasions by keeper Lloyd Allinson, who was sent off in the corresponding fixture last season.

In the end the Steelmen, who gave late debuts to subs James McGeorge and Harvey Rudd, had to settle for a point, but it was one they would have settled for after a tumultuous couple of weeks on and off the pitch.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICTURES: KENNY TAYLOR & GARY WELFORD