Report

Consett made it four league games unbeaten but had to settle for a point as they drew 1-1 with a good Garforth Town side at Belle View.

Manager Jason Miller made two changes from the resounding midweek win at Blyth Town. Both Matty Todd and Will Constantin were withdrawn from that game with knocks and started on the bench for this one, with Jordan Patterson and Lewis Leech taking their places.

The home side started brightly and could have taken the lead on eight minutes as wonderful hold up play by Donny Holdsworth saw him play Isaac Walker in on goal, but visiting keeper Harry Flatters made an excellent save.

There was another chance from the resulting corner but Flatters again did well, this time getting down low to his left to keep out Holdsworth’s effort from just inside the area.

Consett continued to enjoy most of the play and constantly looked dangerous going forward, but they were rocked as Garforth took the lead against the run of play on 20 minutes.

A ball from their right found Luke Aldrich six yards out and although Harry Moss initially made a wonderful point-blank save, Joe Allerton was quickest to the rebound and made no mistake from close range.

The Steelmen were straight back on the front foot and were close to equalising on 23 minutes as Calvin Smith made a run into the box and got his head to Ben Ramsey’s pinpoint cross, and although Flatters was beaten this time, the ball fell inches wide of the goal.

As the half wore on, it looked like it may be one of those days as Brendon Daniels, Marc Costello and Isaac Walker all had firm efforts that looked to be goalbound but each time they were blocked by determined Garforth defending.

Five minutes before half-time Walker had another good chance as he found himself in unfamiliar territory on the right wing and after turning his man inside out, he advanced into the penalty area, only to send his shot straight at Flatters.

It was the final meaningful action of an entertaining, if somewhat frustrating half and the visitors went in one goal to the good.

Half-time: Consett 0 Garforth Town 1

The start of the second half was a scrappier affair, with the flow of the game interrupted by a string of free-kicks and indeed a few soft yellow cards. Consett were still dominating possession but weren’t creating any clear-cut chances.

However, this changed in the 59th minute as Ben Ramsey sent a deep cross into the box, which eluded everyone and seemed destined for the corner, but skipper Charlie Exley removed any doubt with the slightest of touches from less than a yard out, pictured top.

That goal inspired the home side and Michael Ledger almost got his first goal for the club on 62 minutes as his firm header from a corner was well saved by Flatters. Shortly afterwards, a big penalty shout was turned down when Ramsey seemed to be bundled over.

With 20 minutes to go the game was opening up and Garforth had a good chance as Charlie Marshall found himself unmarked at the far post but he scuffed his effort and allowed Moss to make a fairly comfortable save.

Straight after that let-off Consett had probably the best chance for a winner as they broke and Walker again found himself one-on-one with Flatters and again the Garforth keeper came out on top.

Consett were pushing so much for a winner, they were leaving gaps at the back and they were almost made to pay for it on 73 minutes as Matt Savage burst clean through on goal but he failed to trouble Moss, shooting a few yards wide.

It really was end to end at this point and 15 minutes from time Lewis Leech played a sublime ball to substitute Todd, whose first-time shot wasn’t far away from the top corner.

It was another substitute, Eddie Thomas, who helped create the final big chance for a winner eight minutes from time. The big centre-forward’s flick-on found Holdsworth, who in turn played Walker in on goal. This time the leading scorer tried to round Flatters, and while he succeeded the angle he left himself was too tight and he couldn’t quite hit the target.

Despite four minutes of stoppage time, neither side could fashion any further chances and the points were shared after an entertaining afternoon of football that left the two sides locked on 18 points, although Consett have played three games less than Garforth and remain a place above them in eighth due to a superior goal difference.
MATCH REPORT: ANDY BALL
PICTURES: KEITH MARLEY