Report

Three goals, three points and a third home win in a row was the order of the day for Consett as they beat Blyth Town 3-1 at Belle View Stadium.

But the struggling visitors made the Steelmen work hard for the win which keeps them in 7th position, two places off the play-off spots.

Manager Jason Miller kept faith with the same starting XI which won the last home game against Hallam, but his side weren’t at their best in a lacklustre first half.

Blyth missed two good chances while the game was still goalless; Adam Johnson blazed over from eight yards on 17 minutes and Lucas Lowery was denied by keeper Harry Moss in a one-on-one a few minutes before half-time.

Consett also survived strong opposition appeals for a red card after Michael Ledger mistimed a challenge on Evan Fogarty, who needed lengthy treatment, but thankfully the card brandished by the referee was only yellow.

The home side slowly grew into the game, with Ben Ramsey looking their best bet for a goal. He hit one effort just over the bar from distance, then saw another saved by keeper Kieran Hunter after playing a neat one-two with Marc Costello.

They took the lead in first-half injury time when Donny Holdsworth’s heels were clipped by a defender. The referee pointed straight to the spot and Isaac Walker made no mistake with the penalty for his 17th goal of the season.

Half-time: Consett 1 Blyth Town 0

Eight minutes into the second half the Steelmen had a big let-off when Blyth debutant Tom McIntyre hit the bar, but it was all square on 64 minutes when Cameron Gascoigne fired in a free-kick.

Five minutes later Consett had a big chance to regain the lead when Walker and Holdsworth combined superbly, but the No 9 didn’t connect properly with his shot and Hunter was able to save when a goal looked certain.

On 70 minutes Consett survived a penalty shout, and a minute later they were back in front when a free-kick was played into the Blyth box and the ball fell for skipper Charlie Exley, whose effort across goal was deflected in by a defender.

Blyth, desperate for points to escape the relegation zone, saw Ledger clear off the line as they threatened from another set piece, and then had an even bigger penalty appeal turned down when Gascoigne seemed to be fouled.

But Consett sealed the win on 87 minutes when Exley’s superb long pass sent Donny Holdsworth clear and he finished coolly to wrap up the points which keep the Steelmen’s play-off hopes alive.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICTURES: KEITH MARLEY