Report

Consett got their pre-season preparations up and running with a 3-2 win over Crook Town at a very foggy Belle View Stadium.

They took a two-goal first-half lead, but were pegged back to 2-2 before grabbing a spectacular winner late in the game, which was somewhat lucky to get finished.

The Steelmen took the lead on 27 minutes when Dan Capewell brought the ball out of defence and played a fine through ball to Stephen Hall, a recent signing from Birtley Town. The big striker kept his cool to slot past the keeper for 1-0, pictured top.

Ben Ramsey almost doubled their advantage with a 20-yard strike, which Crook keeper James Barron saved well, and from the resulting corner Capewell went close, powering a header just wide.

On 38 minutes Consett did get a second goal, and this time it was a fine individual effort from Ben Ramsey, who picked up possession on the right, drove forward and unleashed a dipping effort which went in off the underside of the bar.

Capewell almost made it three with a right-footed volley, but was denied by a fine one-handed save by Barron.

Half-time: Consett 2 Crook Town 0

Both sides rung the changes for the second half, with Consett making five substitutions, bringing on Jake Jensen, Adam Lennox and three trialists, including a young goalkeeper.

The Northern League 1st Division side reduced the arrears in the 64th minute when Kurt Matthews headed home a right-wing cross. And seven minutes later it was all-square after another Crook raid down the right saw Ethan Bewley fire in from 12 yards.

But the last word went to Consett, who grabbed the winner in the 75th minute when their trialist right-back advanced down the flank, played a one-two with Adam Lennox, and found the top corner from 20 yards.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICTURES: KENNY TAYLOR & GARY WELFORD

CONSETT: 1 Trialist A (sub Trialist D 46), 2 Trialist B (sub Wil Shaw 79), 3 Trialist C (sub Isaac Walker 79), 4 Marc Costello, 5 Jordan Patterson, 6 Dan Capewell (captain), 7 Ben Ramsey (sub Stephen Hall 79), 8 Kaleb Young (sub Jake Jensen 46), 9 Stephen Hall (sub Adam Lennox 46), 10 Wil Shaw (sub Ben Jackson 46), 11 Isaac Walker (sub Oscar Taylor 46).

CROOK TOWN: 1 James Barron, 2 Liam Golightly, 3 Joe Thompson, 4 Dan Mitton (captain), 5 Kurt Matthews, 6 Ben Trotter, 7 Corey Nicholson, 8 Reece Havelock-Brown, 9 Ethan Bewley, 10 Dale Milburn, 11 Josh MacDonald. Subs: Harry Laviolette, Drew Lake, Paul Gardiner, Matty Johnson.

ATTENDANCE: 66