Report

Consett remain unbeaten under new manager Jason Miller after earning another good point on their travels in a 3-3 draw at play-off hopefuls North Ferriby.

The Steelmen were without the services of six players, including skipper Ryan McKinnon (injured) and influential winger Ben Ramsey (working), but turned in another good away performance.

The Villagers, fifth in the table, enjoyed lots of possession early on, and had the first chance in the 11th minute when left-back jack Walters sent a dipping header narrowly wide.

Isaac Walker had a chance to put Consett ahead in the 21st minute after Wil Shaw was barged off the ball from behind, but his penalty kick was saved by home keeper Ben Bottomley.

Three minutes later the Steelmen were grateful to their keeper Harry Moss for an excellent save from a goalbound Lewis Dennison effort. On 38 minutes young defender Will Constantin produced an excellent block to deny James Cadman.

They proved to be vital interventions, as three minuets before half-time Isaac Walker made amends for his penalty miss by opening the scoring. Consett’s midfield harried defender Louis Kirk into a mistake, and Walker picked up possession and surged into the penalty area before firing home.

Half-time: North Ferriby 0 Consett 1

Consett were well worth their half-time lead, but the home side rang the changes early in the second half, making two substitutions, and they paid off as they scored three times in the space of eight minutes.

They levelled on the hour when a deep cross from the right produced a goalmouth scramble, which resulted in an unfortunate own goal by Calvin Smith.

Two minutes later Consett centre-back Liam Colledge gave away a penalty with a foul, despite insisting the offence was outside the box, and Josh Whiteley made it 2-1 from the spot.

And on 68 minutes it was 3-1 when Josh Dennett’s long throw wasn’t dealt with, and left-back Jack Walters bundled the ball home from close range.

Consett’s response was as immediate as it was impressive, and within a minute they reduced the arrears. This time Walker turned provider, nutmegging his man and rolling the ball into the path of Wil Shaw, who took a touch before drilling the ball in at the near post for his first goal of the season.

The game was anyone’s now, and Moss saved from James Cadman at one end, while Walker shot just wide at the other.

But Consett finished strongly, and got their just rewards when they made it 3-3 with a minute of normal time to go. Good work by Donny Holdsworth set up Isaac Walker for his second of the game and fifth of the season, with another great finish.

Six minutes of added time failed to find a winner, but a point apiece was about right after a good game between two fairly well-matched sides. The result meant Consett have picked up five points from three successive away games – their best return on the road since back-to-back wins at Liversedge and Cleethorpes in January.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICTURES: KENNY TAYLOR & GARY WELFORD