Report

Consett look back on track after an entertaining win at Belle View over Guisborough which took them to second place in the 1^st Division. Manager Terry Mitchell made just one change to the side which had won at Penrith at the weekend, with Max Russell coming into midfield in place of Matty Slocombe. Among the subs was Nathan Lawrence, newly re-signed from Bishop Auckland.

The Steelmen looked dangerous from the off as they took the game to the team above them in the table, and it only took Ross Wilkinson just three minutes to score the opener. Luke Carr drilled a free-kick from just outside the box across to Dale Pearson, whose shot was blocked. The ball fell into Wilkinson’s path in the crowded box and the centre-back smashed home his first goal of the season to make it 1-0.

The second goal, which came on eight minutes, was another set piece from the home side. Carr whipped the ball into a crowded box which was cleared and top scorer Calvin Smith managed to poke the ball home for 2-0, with his eighth goal of the season.

The visitors got themselves a foothold back into the game five minutes later through Charlie Marshall, with his first goal for the club. The defender struck home inside the box following a corner which wasn’t cleared properly by Consett. It was a third scrappy goal from a set piece, with less than quarter of an hour gone.

The Steelmen immediately went back on the offensive, and Smith hit the post with one effort, and was then just off target with a volley from Jermaine Metz’s dangerous deep cross.

Consett dominated the rest of the first half and had further chances through Pearson, Jake Stafford and Russell before eventually getting a third goal in the 37^th minute. Wilkinson took the ball from Danny Earl on the edge of the box, and fed the ball to Carr out wide. The playmaker spotted Pearson’s great run in behind the defence, and picked him out with a fine pass, and the No 9 slotted the ball past the keeper for 3-1.

Injuries halted the momentum for the rest of the half as Kyle Hayes and Russell required treatment, and the young midfielder had to be substituted at half-time, with Matty Slocombe coming on to join in the sort of combative game he relishes.

Half-time: Consett 3 Guisborough Town 1

The start of the second half was a bit feisty as Guisborough tried to ruffle their hosts, and Jake Stafford became the first Consett player to find his way into the referee’s notebook after a scuffle involving several players.

Guisborough came close to reducing the deficit just before the hour when substitute John Howard forced a great save out of Hayes, down low to his right, while at the other end Wilkinson had a chance to double his goal tally from close range, but this time keeper Ryan Catterick was well placed to save..

The respite didn’t last long, as on 63 minutes a great team move saw Consett make it 4-1. Alshabeeb, who had probably his best game for the club, won the ball back and drove forward 50 yards before feeding Carr, who squared the ball to Pearson to tap in his second goal of the night and fourth in three games.

Consett looked well in control, but Guisborough were awarded a soft penalty on 68 minutes when Smith tripped an opponent while trying to control the ball, and skipper Mark Robinson, who has a 100% penalty record for the club, smashed the ball into the top right corner, giving Hayes no chance.

The goal gave Guisborough brief hope of a revival, and Metz did well two minutes later to bravely clear a deep cross which looked certain to be headed home at the back post.

Consett rode the spell of pressure, however, and the result was put beyond doubt in the 75^th minute after Carr’s corner was headed on by Purewal and defender Matthew Lovatt put through his own goal while trying to clear.

MATCH REPORT: ADAM WEBB, PICTURES: JOHN PAUL HARDY

CONSETT: 1 Kyle Hayes, 2 Jermaine Metz (sub Simon Jakab 81), 3 Darren Holden, 4 Jake Stafford, 5 Arjun Purewal (captain), 6 Ross Wilkinson, 7 Calvin Smith, 8 Max Russell (sub Matty Slocombe 46), 9 Dale Pearson, 10 Luke Carr, 11 Ali Alshabeeb (sub Andrei-Vasile Ardelean 87). Subs not used: Nathan Lawrence, Nick Allen.

Yellow cards: Stafford, Metz, Holden.

GUISBOROUGH TOWN: 1 Ryan Catterick, 2 Anthony Snook, 3 Charlie Graham, 4 Harry Thompson, 5 Leon Carling, 6 Charlie Marshall, 7 Joe Ferguson, 8 Mark Robinson (captain), 9 Danny Earl, 10 Sonni Coleman, 11 Mason McNeill. Subs: John Howard, Carl Lawson, Jacob Thompson, Steven Roberts.

Yellow cards: 6

ATTENDANCE: 368