Report

Consett left it late, but edged out neighbours Annfield Plain 2-1 in their latest pre-season friendly at a sunny Belle View Stadium.

The Wearside League side – three divisions and 62 places below the Steelmen – put up a spirited fight in the clubs’ first meeting in seven years.

They frustrated Consett for much of the game, and it took Tony Fawcett’s side until the 30th minute to take the lead.

Jake Jensen played the ball from inside his own half to Stephen Hall, and the big striker’s pass sent Isaac Walker running at goal. Some deft footwork from the summer signing beat two defenders, leaving him to slot past the keeper from 12 yards, pictured below.

It remained 1-0 at the break, but Annfield Plain equalised just before the hour with a stunning goal from Adam Metcalfe, whose 25-yard strike beat Consett’s second-half keeper James Anderson to end up in the top corner.

The goal was the signal for six outfield changes for Consett, and one of the new introductions, Kaleb Young, almost restored their lead with an audacious lob from 35 yards after spotting the visitors’ trialist keeper off his line, but he got back to make a good save.

Consett were not to be denied, however, and it was Kaleb Young who grabbed the winner in the 88th minute, taking a pass from fellow sub Ben Jackson and firing home from 15 yards with the outside of his right foot, pictured top.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICS: GARY WELFORD & KENNY TAYLOR

CONSETT: 1 Cieran Ure (sub James Anderson 46), 2 Harvey Rudd (sub Jordan Patterson 60), 3 Dominic Curl, 4 Jake Jensen (sub Marc Costello 60), 5 Dan Capewell (captain), 6 Ryan McKinnon, 7 Wil Shaw (sub Ben Jackson 60), 8 Shay Richardson, 9 Stephen Hall (sub Adam Lennox 60), 10 Kieren Aplin (sub Kaleb Young 60), 11 Isaac Walker (sub James McGeorge 60).
ANNFIELD PLAIN: 1 Ian Costello, 2 Ryan Allan, 3 Jack Franklin, 4 Sam Hodgson, 5 Michael Hall (captain), 6 Dead Pearce, 7 Adam mercalfe, 8 Joe Power, 9 Aidan Stanton, 10 Cain Jones, 11 Drew Lake. Subs: Trialist A, Trialist B, Liam Chatton, Josh Wilde, Jon Davies, Trialist C, Joe Gill, Cam Davison.
ATTENDANCE: ??