Report

Consett extended their unbeaten run to seven games by twice coming from behind to beat Ossett United in a game where they were awarded three penalties.

Manager Jason Miller made two changes to the side which won at Bishop Auckland in their previous game, with Liam Colledge replacing Will Constantin in defence and Marc Costello coming into midfield for Ewan McGowan, whose loan from South Shields has been extended for two months.

Ossett started the game in 14th place, three points and three places below their visitors, having played a game more, but it was Consett who showed first, as Costello fired over from Calvin Smith’s right-wing corner on six minutes.

Two minutes later Ossett had a chance from a corner of their own, and the ball bounced around for a while in the box before keeper Harry Moss claimed it. But there was nothing he could do to prevent the home side taking the lead in the 11th minute when centre-forward Jordan Preston headed in from a corner.

The lead lasted just three minutes; Consett forced a corner at the other end, and as the players ran in to contest the kick, Costello was dragged over by Rhys Thomas. Ossett were furious, but the offence happened right in front of the referee, who had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

The Steelmen’s top scorer Isaac Walker made no mistake with the resulting penalty, smashing it in for his 13th goal of the season to make it 1-1.

Parity lasted until the 27th minute, when Ossett regained the lead. They broke quickly from a Consett corner, and although Moss saved Preston’s initial effort, Alfie Proctor was first to the rebound to make it 2-1.

Consett reacted well, and almost equalised on 43 minutes when Donny Holdsworth sent a half-volley just wide, and a minute later Walker went down under a challenge in the box, only to be shown a yellow card for diving.

The lively Preston was causing problems for Consett, and in added time he broke away again, but Moss stood up well to make a good save, and ensure that the Steelmen only trailed by one goal at the break.

Half-time: Ossett United 2 Consett 1

The first 15 minutes of the second half saw little goalmouth action, but the next goal was vital, and it was almost Consett who got it on the hour. Walker was fouled by Esse Jannah right on the edge of the box, which earned the centre-back a booking, and Holdsworth’s well-struck free-kick flashed into the side netting.

Ossett then had two chances in three minutes, with Jack Degruchy hitting a tame effort straight at Moss, before Preston was again denied by the keeper.

Consett had a glorious chance to level in the 69th minute when great work by Holdsworth played in Ben Ramsey, but he shot tamely at Aleks Petrovic with the goal at his mercy.

The Steelmen had the bit between their teeth now, and in the 69th minute they were awarded their second penalty of the game. Holdsworth was felled as he tried to burst between two defenders, but this time Walker’s kick was well saved by Petrovic, who also thwarted the No 11 from the rebound.

Despite the setback the men in red continued to press for an equaliser, and got their reward on 80 minutes when Liam Colledge thundered home a header from Charlie Exley’s cross for his first goal of the season.

It was almost his last involvement, as he was replaced two minutes later by Brendon Daniels as Consett went for the win. They almost had it in the 84th minute when Holdsworth broke through, and although Janneh got a foot in as he shot, the ball looked like it was going to loop in until Petrovic got back to claw it off the line.

Three minutes later the small band of Consett supporters were in seventh heaven as their side was awarded a third penalty of the night. Eddie Thomas was pulled back by Janneh in the box, which earned the defender a second yellow card, and fellow sub Brendon Daniels stepped up to dispatch the kick onto the bottom corner.

The home fans weren’t happy at all that the referee had awarded three penalties against their team, but videos suggested he got all three spot on. Consett almost sealed the win with a fourth goal in added time, but Petrovic again denied Walker, saving with his feet at his near post.

When the final whistle went a minute later, Consett had registered their fifth away win of the campaign, and climbed a place to 10th.
MATCH REPORT & PICTURES: GARY WELFORD