Report

Four goals in a frantic 17-minute spell paved the way for a 4-2 win at Newcastle Benfield which saw Consett return to the top of the Northern League.

In typical Steelmen style they came from behind to do it, went in 4-1 up at half-time, and had to fight a determined rearguard action in the second half.

Manager Terry Mitchell made one change to the side which drew against Thornaby at the weekend, with James Martin replacing Olly Scott at left-back.

It took Consett just four minutes to get into their stride, with Dale Pearson forcing a good save from Benfield keeper Alfie Gordon on his return to one of his former clubs.

Two minutes later Pearson was unlucky not to open the scoring when he ran onto a long ball, but his shot came back off the post with the keeper beaten.

On 13 minutes Jermaine Metz played a lovely one-two with Pearson, only to be thwarted by Gordon’s second good save of the game.

It was against the run of play that veteran striker Paul Brayson – who else? – gave Benfield the lead on 24 minutes, finishing from close range after good work by Cyril Giraud and Sam Walton down the left.

But Consett were level on 31 minutes when Jermaine Metz made a great run into the box, Pearson kept it alive as defenders flung bodies in the way, and Jake Orrell fired home for 1-1.

On 40 minutes the Steelmen took the lead, after Metz once again burst into the box, and Dale Pearson stabbed out a foot at his cross – or was it a shot? – to convert from six yards. It was the in-form striker’s 9th goal in 10 games this season.

Two minutes later it was 3-1, as Stephen Callen beat the Benfield goalkeeper to left-back James Martin’s cross to head into his unprotected net.

The third minute of added time at the end of the first half saw Consett score again, as Calvin Smith headed in Luke Carr’s right-wing corner.

Half-time: Newcastle Benfield 1 Consett 4

If Benfield were shell-shocked by going in 4-1 down they didn’t show it, and they took the game to their visitors in a proverbial game of two halves.

They got a goal back on 56 minutes when Cyril Giraud cut in from the left and beat two men before firing a low shot past Kyle Hayes at his near post.

After that, Benfield enjoyed a lot of the ball without creating too many clear-cut chances, though Brayson hit the post on 67 minutes.

Consett, who had been forced into some backs-to-the-wall defending, took until the 72nd minute to muster their first goal attempt of the half, Carr firing wide from 25 yards.

Callum Guy then forced a good save from keeper Alfie Gordon, and Arjun Purewal headed wide from Metz’s cross as they sought another goal to kill the home side off.

The best chance of all to wrap the points up came in the 80th minute, when the pass of the game from Carr sent Pearson clear, but the keeper made an excellent save.

There was a late scare when Benfield sub Archie Leonard beat his man and the onrushing Hayes to the ball, but his shot from a tight angle rolled wide of the far post.

When the final whistle went Consett had three well-earned points in the bag, which was enough for them to overtake Thornaby and return to the top of the table.