Report

Consett had to settle for a point as they went looking for revenge over the side who knocked them out of the FA Trophy – but a calmer head in front of goal could have given them all three.

Jason Miller’s side were missing four players for the rematch against the Cobbydalers, who won 3-2 on their own ground two and a half weeks ago.

That meant a full debut for on-loan Lucas Lowery, as well as a first start of the season for Brendon Daniels, who has been restricted to substitute appearances. Harry Clark from the Reserves was among the substitutes.

The game started at a good pace and Consett had the first chance after five minutes when Jesse Gomez won the ball in midfield and fed Oli Thompson, but visiting keeper Tommy Brown got down well at his near post to smother the shot.

Silsden had a chance on 11 minutes through Luke Brooksbank, but it was Consett who took the lead two minutes later.

Oli Thompson picked up possession outside the box and went on a surging run before burying his shot into the bottom corner, pictured top, for his fourth goal of the season, making him joint-top scorer with Donny Holdsworth, who was unavailable due to work.

Consett almost doubled their lead on 25 minutes when Matty Todd’s pass found Lowery, and the Gateshead loanee’s shot was parried by keeper Tommy Brown. When he tried to grab the loose ball it was nicked away from him by Thompson, but the referee decided he had fouled the keeper in doing so.

It was a fairly even game, and Consett had another chance on 36 minutes when James Risbrough cut inside and found Lowery, whose low shot had Brown scrambling to save, while at the other end a corner was headed down by Jorge Sikora to Zak Khan, whose goalbound effort from close range was cleared off the line by Lewis Leech.

Silsden threatened twice more from set pieces as half-time approached, but Aaron Pickles’s shot was deflected wide by Daniels, before Sikora headed wide. Hamza Hamdosh had another chance right on half-time, but it was well held by home keeper Harry Moss.

Half-time: Consett 1 Silsden 0

Consett came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half, and had two good chances to increase their lead within the first minute. First, Todd’s header from Risbrough’s cross was blocked, then Lowery stabbed wide as the loose ball pinballed around the six-yard box.

Five minutes in, the Steelmen had a glorious chance when Gomez surged forward and found himself in on goal after a lovely one-two with Thompson, but Brown was equal to his effort. A couple of minutes later Sikora had a chance from Cole Hyde’s cross, but was leaning back and headed over the bar.

Silsden had a big penalty shout on the hour after Luke Brooksbank claimed he was fouled in the box, but the referee wasn’t having any of it, and the action soon switched to the other end, where Brown again denied Lowery in a one-on-one after the forward took a heavy touch.

Gomez saw an effort dip just wide after being played in by Leech, and Consett carved out a great chance in the 74th minute when Risbrough and Daniels swapped passes and the left-back swung over a lovely cross for Todd. He met it well with his head, but couldn’t get enough power or direction on it to seriously trouble Brown.

Silsden remained a real threat, and Brooksbank wasn’t too far away with a free-kick which looked like it was heading for the top corner before just swerving away.

On 82 minutes they were rewarded for their persistence when they equalised. Khan’s initial effort was well saved by Moss, but Cody Cromack was on hand to fire home the loose ball to make it 1-1.

Consett almost replied immediately as Todd through ball sent Lowery clear, but Brown was quickly off his line to make another vital intervention.

As the game entered its final stages both sides were going for the win, with neither content to settle for a point. Jakub Hebda fired a shot just wide of the far post, then Moss spread himself superbly to deny Cromack a winner for Silsden.

The pacey Lowery had another chance after being sent clear again, but checked back and was dispossessed, then right at the death he saw a free-kick blocked by the wall, with David Allasan – on as a sub for the his first appearance of the season – just unable to capitalise on the loose ball.

The final action saw Marc Costello join the attack to test Brown, but the keeper held firm, as he had all night, and when the final whistle went seconds later it was honours even after a hard-fought draw.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICTURES: KEITH MARLEY & KENNY TAYLOR