Report

Consett and Guisborough Town will have to replay their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie after our opening game of the season ended in a 2-2 draw at a sunny King George V Stadium.

Jason Miller’s side twice came from behind against the Northern League’s early pacesetters, who had won their opening two games, and a draw was probably a fair result.

He gave a debut to summer signing Lewis Leech, with three other new boys – Cobi Jones, Jack Ledger and Lewis Heap – having to settle for a place on the bench.

Consett started brightly and created the first chance just four minutes in. Good work from Will Constantin set up Ben Ramsey, who curled an effort just wide from 20 yards.

Guisborough’s centre-back headed over from a right-wing corner and striker Kurtis Howes dragged a shot wide as the home side responded.

On 18 minutes Ramsey went close again as Consett broke quickly and Donny Holdsworth set him up, and this time he flashed a low shot just wide.

Guisborough had their first real chance in the 20th minute when they were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, with Josh MacDonald send it well over the bar.

Three minutes later there was a huge let-off for Consett, however, as Moss saved well from Mustapha Abdullahi, and when the ball was recycled to MacDonald he somehow fired wide from eight yards with the goal at his mercy.

Holdsworth had an effort from the edge of the box, but it was a comfortable save for home keeper Ryan Catterick, and it was Guisborough who struck first in the 34th minute.

They broke quickly when a Consett attack broke down, with Thomas Birtles switching the ball to Mustapha Abdullahi on the right. He cut into the box and fired into the far corner to make it 1-0.

Consett thought they had equalised four minutes before half-time when Catterick found Charlie Exley’s 25-yarder too hot to handle and Matty Todd finished the rebound, only to be ruled offside.

Half-time: Guisborough Town 1 Consett 0

The Steelmen did level nine minutes into the second half when a fine low cross by Charlie Exley was sliced into his own net by Guisborough captain Ben Errington.

But within three minutes they had fallen behind again when a right-wing corner turned into a game of pinball in the six-yard box, and centre-forward Kurtis Howes applied the finishing touch to make it 2-1.

Consett showed their mettle by finding a second equaliser with another good move down the left. This time Ben Ramsey was the provider, with new skipper Charlie Exley powering home a header to make it 2-2.

Consett had a big penalty shout turned down in the 84th minute when a shot by sub Cobi Jones seemed to hit a defender’s outstretched arm, but the referee waved away their strong appeals.

There was a let-off for Consett in the final minute when Guisborough sub Sonni Coleman burst clean through, but chose to square the ball to Connor Gant instead of shooting, and the chance was gone.

In the end a draw was about right, and the teams will try again in a replay at Belle View.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD
PICTURES: KENNY TAYLOR