Report

Consett went second in the NPL Division One East table after beating Ashington 4-0 at a rain-swept Belle View.

The win was built on the back of a relentless first-half performance, where they roared into a three-goal lead, which could easily have been doubled.

Consett could have been three goals up before they took the lead, with Matty Todd, Ben Ramsey, Isaac Walker and Todd again all missing good chances.

They made the breakthrough in the 10th minute, when Marc Costello’s shot was saved by keeper and Todd’s follow-up hit the upright before Isaac Walker fired home at the back post.

Ramsey had another chance as Consett mounted wave after wave of attack before the second goal arrived in the 22nd minute.

This time Ramsey’s shot was saved by the keeper, Donny Holdsworth was denied by a defender’s superb last-ditch block, before Brendon Daniels fired into the bottom corner when the ball was recycled.

Consett were well in control, and got their third goal two minutes before half-time. Walker’s pass picked out Matty Todd‘s run into the box, and he smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Half-time: Consett 3 Ashington 0

Whatever Ashington’s manager said at half-time had the desired effect, as they enjoyed much more of the game after the break, while rarely threatening the Consett goal.

Their best chance came in the 65th minute when a cross from the right resulted in a far-post header, which brought a good save from Harry Moss.

Consett kept their shape, worked hard off the ball and defended their box well, and still looked the more likely team to trouble the scorers again.

They came close in the 71st minute when Daniels’ free-kick was flicked just wide by Holdsworth, whose performance and workrate certainly deserved a goal.

Two minutes later sub Lewis Leech wasn’t far away with a well-struck 25-yarder, created by another surging run down the right by Ramsey.

Consett finally got the fourth goal they deserved in the fifth added minute when Daniels’ free-kick was headed back into the danger area by a defender, and Isaac Walker volleyed home from six yards, pictured top, to complete a good night’s work.