Report

Luke Carr was Consett’s matchwinner for the second game in a row as they beat West Auckland Town at Belle View to make it three wins in three league games.

But the Steelmen had to come from behind to do it, after going a goal down early on for the second league match in a row.

With Ross Wilkinson having to self-isolate, Nick Allen came in at centre-back in the only change from the previous week’s FA Cup win over Stockton.

The game was only two minutes old when Consett fell behind. They conceded a free-kick out wide on their left, and when it was swung in by Anthony Bell, Jamie Harwood caught the Steelmen napping to head West into the lead.

On nine minutes it was 1-1 when a great piece of control and superbly weighted pass by Dale Pearson left Calvin Smith with just the keeper to beat, and he obliged, with his third goal of the season.

Four minutes later, after some good work from Carr, Smith almost returned the favour, picking out Pearson from the right, but the big striker’s first-time effort was straight at West keeper Tom Flynn.

At the other end Kyle Hayes had to be alert to keep out an effort from Bell with his legs, but Flynn made an even better save from Darren Holden at his near post as the left-back cut in from the flank and unleashed a powerful shot.

In the 20th minute Consett went ahead after another well-worked move, when a corner was played low into the box and Dale Pearson fired home into the far corner.

Consett were enjoying a good spell, and Jermaine Metz, who was making his 50th appearance for the club, should have done better than firing into the side netting after deciding to go for goal from Pearson’s pass, with Ali Alshabeeb screaming for a pullback in the middle.

Carr went even closer in the 28th minute when his curling effort brought a superb full-length diving save from ex-Consett keeper Flynn, who always seems to play well against his old club.

As half-time approached West had their best spell of the game, and Hayes twice made good saves, from Bell and then Jordan Blinco, to ensure it remained 2-1 at the break.

Half-time: Consett 2 West Auckland Town 1

However, within three minutes of the restart West were level. Flynn pumped a long clearance downfield, and a mistake in the Consett defence let in Jordan Blinco, who ran through to score.

Consett responded well, with Flynn beating out a well-struck effort from Carr after good work from Metz, and they had a decent penalty shout turned down after Alshabeeb seemed to be felled by Gary Brown, but the referee waved away their appeals.

The Steelmen persevered, however, and got what turned out to be the winner in the 58th minute. More good work by Metz set up Luke Carr, who fired home a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the box, pictured top, leaving Flynn helpless.

Bell had a chance to level the scores on 67 minutes, but his shot drifted wide, while at the other end Flynn twice denied Pearson, first at the near post and then in a one-on-one, to deny Consett the comfort of a two-goal cushion.

Young Dan Marriott made another good cameo performance off the bench, and produced one of the best bits of skill in the game when he juggled the ball over the head of hugely experienced defender Brown, who West have just signed from South Shields, but his volleyed effort at goal lacked power.

When the final whistle went after three added minutes Consett had deservedly maintained their 100% league record and stretched their unbeaten run this season to seven games in all competitions.
MATCH REPORT & PICTURES: GARY WELFORD

ATTENDANCE: 150