Report

Consett started their pre-season preparations in pleasing fashion with a 2-0 win over a decent Boro Rangers side at a sunny Belle View Stadium.

The visitors, who won the Northern League 2nd Division last season at the first attempt dominating the Teesside League for several years, showed they will be no pushovers as they prepare for the top flight.

Tony Fawcett gave three of his summer signings their first start, and there was another on the bench. Consett also started with a trialist in goal, and two more on the bench.

The game was keenly contested from the start, and although Consett had more of the ball, Boro, who have played two warm-up games already, looked a little sharper in the tackle.

Consett were the width of the goalpost away from taking the lead in the ninth minute after Ben Milburn was fouled 20 yards out, as Kieren Aplin fired his free-kick against the base of the upright.

Five minutes later Consett had another chance from a setpiece when Nathan Greenwood’s corner was flicked on by Milburn, and Arjun Purewal’s run into the box was timed just too late to connect with the ball.

On 19 minutes some good work down the left by Greenwood saw him set up Wil Shaw, but the youngster, signed from Wearside League neighbours South Moor, dragged his shot wide.

The breakthrough came in the 36th minute, and it was Greenwood who started the move, finding newcomer Harvey Smith on the right. The youngster curled in a delightful cross, which Wil Shaw met to head home, pictured top, with the Boro keeper claimed he had been impeded by Josh Baggs.

Ben Turner had the visitors’ first attempt on goal right on half-time, but it cleared the crossbar and didn’t trouble Consett’s trialist keeper.

Half-time: Consett 1 Boro Rangers 0

Consett made five changes at half-time, bring on keeper Aaron Steavens and midfielders Calvin Smith, Adam Mitchell and Kieron Scott, along with a trialist defender, while Boro also made a raft of substitutions, and it was the visitors who created the early chances.

On 56 minutes Steavens showed superb reflexes to deny Jack Guy from close range following an corner. And 10 minutes later the young keeper made an even better save, standing up well to deny Dan Lofts as the No 9 broke clear on goal.

Wil Shaw had a good penalty shout turned down by local Football League referee Andrew Kitchen when he appeared to be flattened from behind as he contested a loose ball beside the byline, and Calvin Smith fired narrowly wide from 20 yards as Consett sought a second goal to put the game to bed.

They got it with five minutes to go when they were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out and Nathan Greenwood fired a low free-kick in via the right-hand post to make it 2-0.

Dan Capewell almost made it three a minute later, but saw his piledriver from the edge of the box tipped onto the bar by the keeper.

Both sides left the field to warm applause from the healthy crowd of 200, after giving it their all on a sweltering evening.

Consett’s next pre-season fixture is on Tuesday, 11 July, when they travel to Shildon for a 7.30pm kick-off. Admission is £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.

CONSETT: 1 Trialist A, 2 Harvey Smith, 3 Josh Baggs, 4 Ryan McKinnon, 5 Dan Capewell, 6 Arjun Purewal, 7 Ben Milburn, 8 Matty Slocombe (captain), 9 Kieren Aplin, 10 Nathan Greenwood, 11, Wil Shaw. Subs: Calvin Smith, GK Aaron Steavens, 14 Adam Mitchell, 15 Kieron Scott, 16 Trialist B, 17 Trialist C.
BORO RANGERS: 1 Daniel Horner, 2 Ste Keenan (captain), 3 Scott Howes, 4 James Dillon, 5 Micky James, 6 Nico Weatherall, 7 Jack Guy, 8 Matthew Bell, 9 Dan Lofts, 10 Ben Turner, 11 Kaden Coley. Subs: Dylan Gnaglo, Lloyd Evans, Matty Lovatt, Louis Hall, Tom Bligh, Owen Clarkson.
ATTENDANCE: 200

MATCH REPORT & VIDEO: GARY WELFORD

PICTURES: KENNY TAYLOR & KEITH MARLEY