Report

Consett’s first-ever visit to Matlock Town saw them beaten 3-0 today as the Gladiators put their visitors to the sword to guaranteed a place in the play-offs.

The Steelmen were no match for the promotion-chasing hosts, who sealed a top five place and strengthened their hopes of finishing second behind champions Redcar Athletic with an impressive display.

Jason Miller’s side were without three attacking players who have contributed 39 goals between them this season, along with midfielder Lewis Leech, who was completing a three-match suspension.

They did welcome back strikers Donny Holdsworth and Eddie Thomas – the former starting and the latter on the bench – and there was a first start since December for Jake Dobinson, wearing a mask to protect a fractured cheekbone.

Matlock were without their Northern Ireland international Conor Washington, but still boasted a squad full of players who have performed at much higher levels, and they dominated from the off.

It took a superb goal-line clearance from acting skipper Michael Ledger to deny Cameron Wilson who looked certain to score after being set up by Theo Upton on seven minutes.

They fell behind on 17 minutes after giving away possession on the edge of their own box. Once again they were punished for an unforced error as left-back Calum MacDonald fired a rocket-shot past Harry Moss helpless to make it 1-0.

Dobinson’s long throws were Consett’s main attacking weapon as they tried to find a way back into the game, but Matlock keeper Declan Lambton did well to punch clear more than once in his crowded box.

On 33 minutes Matlock made it 2-0 as Wilson attacked down the left with devastating pace, beating his man and pulling the ball back for Jeremie Milambo to finish from close range.

In added time at the end of the half the two-goal deficit became three as right-back Declan Eratt-Thompson surged forward and played a great one-two with the lively Tom Elliott, with his effort crossing the line before a team-mate helped it in.

Half-time: Matlock Town 3 Consett 0

Beginning the second half three goals down, Consett had a mountain to climb and were grateful to Moss for saves from Upton and Elliott (twice) as Matlock looked to turn the screw.

Consett made a double change midway through the half, with Eddie Thomas and Ewan McGowan coming on for David Allasan and Marc Costello, and McGowan was involved right away, firing over from a half-cleared free-kick.

Ten minutes later McGowan spread the play intelligently to Jordan Patterson, whose pass picked out Will Constantin’s well-timed run, but he fired just wide of the right-hand post.

Matlock kept knocking at the door for another goal, and thought they had it on 88 minutes when they had the ball in the net again, but it was immediately ruled out for offside.

As the game entered injury time Consett tried hard to give their travelling supporters in the bumper crowd of 825 a consolation goal to cheer.

Thomas couldn’t quite divert Brendon Daniels’s 25-yarder goalwards, then headed over from a free-kick, which proved to be the final action of the game as the referee blew for full-time.

This result and those elsewhere mean Consett drop a place to 10th, and with only four points separating Garforth in 8th and Lincoln United in 13th, it’s all to play for in the last four games as they try to achieve their best-ever NPL finish.

MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICTURES: KENNY TAYLOR & GARY WELFORD