Report

Consett are two games away from Wembley after a 3-1 extra-time win at Atherstone Town took them into the FA Vase semi-finals for the first time in their history.

They will travel to Gloucestershire to face Toolstation Western League side Bitton AFC in the first leg on Saturday 21 March, with the return leg at Belle View a week later.

The Steelmen had to do it the hard way, coming from behind in front of a crowd of 950 down in Warwickshire, including at least 250 noisy travelling supporters.

Ryan Quinn gave the Adders the lead on 10 minutes when Consett failed to deal with a corner, and it remained 1-0 at half-time even though the visitors dominated possession, with Luke Carr hitting the post and Dale Pearson missing a great chance.

Pearson hit the woodwork five minutes into the second half with a lob from 25 yards, and although Consett were doing most of the attacking, keeper Kyle Hayes made a vital save from Jordan Francis on the hour.

A minute later the Steelmen were level when right-back Jermaine Metz scored with a low left-footed effort from outside the box.

Although Consett had their hosts pinned back for long spells, and saw further chances from Pearson and Carr saved, they couldn’t find a winner in normal time.

They almost took the lead in the 99^th minute when midfielder Calvin Smith’s header from a left-wing corner was cleared off the line.

They finally got the lead their performance deserved a minute later when Smith glanced in a header from Metz’s long throw. And four minutes later the win was complete when Smith headed home again from Carr’s corner to make it 3-1.

Smith almost completed his hat-trick in injury time with a 40-yard lob which caught the keeper off his line, but Consett were denied by the woodwork for the third time in the game.

The result made it a very happy birthday for Consett AFC chairman Frank Bell, who was 65 on the day.

An all-Northern League final at Wembley on Sunday May 17 is a possibility, as Hebburn Town are also through to the last four, facing London side Corinthian in their two-legged semi-final.