Report

Consett had a great chance to move out of the bottom four but didn’t take it after giving away a two-goal lead to draw with bottom side Sheffield FC.

Jason Miller made four changes to the side which lost at Easington two days earlier, with Marc Costello, Ryan McKinnon, Calvin Smith and Isaac Walker returning to the starting line-up. There was more good news on the bench, with Ben Ramsey fit enough to be a sub after missing the last five games.

Before kick-off there was an impeccably-observed minute’s silence for Remembrance Day, with local bandsman Barry Hill playing The Last Post.

Consett started the game with good intensity, and got off to the best possible start, taking the lead after just three minutes. Walker’s 20-yarder was parried onto the post by visiting keeper Edd Hall, but top scorer Donny Holdsworth reacted first to finish the rebound for his 9th goal of the season.

 

On 19 minutes it was 2-0 to Consett. This time Hall saved from Holdsworth, but Isaac Walker picked up the loose ball, beat his man and scored with the help of a slight deflection.

It should have been three just after the half hour when Holdsworth seized on a poor back pass and went round Hall, but Sheffield skipper Reece Fielding got back to clear off the line. From the resulting corner McKinnon got up highest at the back post, but thumped a firm header inches wide.

Sheffield were still posing the odd threat, and Consett were grateful to keeper James Anderson on 36 minutes as he saved from their on-loan Rotherham United striker Josh Ayres. Three minutes before the break there was an even bigger scare as Sheffield had a strong penalty appeal turned down, and then Tom Hinton shot just wide.

Half-time: Consett 2 Sheffield 0

Sheffield brought on their ex-pro striker Nathan Modest for the second half, and began to get on top, with Consett looking strangely lethargic compared to their first-half performance.

You sensed a goal was coming, and sure enough the visitors got themselves back in the game on 62 minutes as Josh Ayres headed in Joe West’s cross from close range.

They continued to take the game to their hosts and got their reward on 78 minutes when Consett failed to deal with Sam Greenhouse’s long throw and Reece Fielding hooked the ball in from close range.

The goal at last prompted Consett to up their game, and Orrell was inches away from getting on the end of a cross from Ramsey, while another couple of excellent balls across the box from the winger went unpunished.

It ended honours even, with Sheffield’s new manager Vill Powell, who only took over this week, by far the happier with the point which lifted his side off the foot of the table.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICTURES: KENNY TAYLOR & KEITH MARLEY