Report

Consett’s recent good run came to an end when they were beaten at Belle View Stadium by a slick Matlock Town side.

Jason Miller kept faith with the same starting XI who had beaten Brighouse Town in their previous game, and they matched the visitors, who were relegated from the NPL Premier Division last season, all the way in a frantically-paced opening period.

Consett almost got caught napping by a short free-kick in the 17th minute, but Ben Sault’s effort from the edge of the box was rising all the way as it cleared the crossbar.

A minute later, the Steelmen took the lead with the game’s first shot on target. Good counter-pressing by Isaac Walker and Donny Holdsworth won the ball on the left and it was passed inside to Matty Todd, who set up Ben Ramsey for a beautiful curling first-time strike into the top corner from 20 yards.

For six glorious minutes the goal took Consett to the top of Division One East, but it only served to sting their visitors into action, and on 24 minutes Matlock equalised. A swift attack down the right saw the ball pulled back for Tommy Elliott, who made no mistake from close range.

Five minutes later, Consett keeper Harry Moss made a good save from Elliott’s free-kick, and the No 10 then headed just over from Declan Eratt-Thompson’s deep cross from the right. Kiyani Clayton then turned and fired just wide as Matlock pushed hard for a second goal.

Consett had a couple of chances of their own as half-time approached, with Walker audacious lob from 25 yards just clearing the bar, and Brendon Daniels unable to keep down a volleyed effort from Ramsey’s cross.

Half-time: Consett 1 Matlock Town 1

Matlock had probably edged a nip and tuck first half, but stepped things up after the break and it took just eight minutes of the second half for the Gladiators to take the lead.

Jeremie Milambo’s free-kick from the right was headed goalwards, Moss made a good save, but centre-back Charlie Oglesby poked the ball home in a goalmouth scramble.

The visitors’ side was full of players who’ve played at higher levels, and it was one of their most experienced, 43-cap Northern Ireland international Conor Washington, who made it 3-1 on the hour. He brought down a ball with a beautiful touch out on the left, went past three Consett players and planted his shot into the bottom corner.

Moss saved twice from Cameron Wilson as Matlock sought a killer fourth goal, but Consett tried hard to find a foothold back into the game.

Their best chance came in the 72nd minute, when sub Eddie Thomas was inches away from getting on the end of Ramsey’s hard-low cross.

Walker had another chance on 79 minutes when he beat two defenders and brought a save from Matlock’s debutant keeper Jake Oram, signed on loan from Doncaster Rovers after regular No 1 Myles Boney was injured at the weekend.

Matlock sub Diego De Girolamo fired into the side netting as the visitors threatened again on 81 minutes, and although Consett pressed hard, they couldn’t find a way through the well-organised defence.

When the final whistle went there was no disgrace in losing to very impressive opponents who will surely be in the promotion shake-up at the end of the season.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICTURES: KENNY TAYLOR/KEITH MARLEY