Report

Consett’s seven-game unbeaten start to the season came to a shuddering halt when they crashed out of the FA Cup, beaten 6-0 at Marske United.

The Northern Premier League side scored three times in each half to send the Steelmen home on the end of a sobering hiding in the 2nd Qualifying Round tie.

It didn’t help Consett that they were missing captain Arjun Purewal (flu) and midfielders Matty Slocombe, Matty Cornish and Max Russell (all injured), but Marske were simply too good for them, all over the pitch.

The hosts paid Consett the respect of turning out a full-strength side, and laid siege to their goal from the start of a game played in pouring rain throughout, forcing a series of early corners.

Kyle Hayes was called into action as early as the second minute, saving Matty Tymon’s header, and the keeper also made vital stops from full-back Connor Smith, who went for goal after cutting in from the right flank, and striker Adam Boyes, whose well-struck 25-yarder was tipped over the bar.

The closest Consett came to a goal was in the 10th minute, when Jake Orrell’s pass found Jermaine Metz, who lifted the ball over Marske keeper Ryan Catterick, but saw it come back off the bar. The relieved keeper recovered in time to pounce on the loose ball before Dale Pearson, following in, could benefit.

There was a let-off for Consett in the 28th minute when the unmarked Tymon headed over, but a minute later Marske took a deserved lead. Midfielder Glen Butterworth picked up possession 20 yards out when Consett failed to clear their lines, and curled a superb shot into the corner to make it 1-0.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 after another mix-up in defence left Adam Boyes to run through and score.

And when Butterworth scored again to make it three on 42 minutes, despite a last-ditch challenge from Darren Holden, Consett were left with a mountain to climb.

Half-time: Marske United 3 Consett 0

To the Steelmen’s credit, they started the second half brightly. Luke Carr had an effort touched over by the keeper, and Pearson was thwarted after getting the better of his marker Adam Wheatley on the halfway line and running through for a one-on-one.

But on 54 minutes any hopes of a comeback were dashed when the outstanding Butterworth turned provider for Matty Tymon, who curled a great first-time shot into the corner.

Consett were reeling, and two minutes later found themselves 5-0 down when Hayes was beaten to the ball by Boyes at the edge of his box, with the striker stretching to prod it home.

On 63 minutes it was 6-0 when a cross from the left by Liam O’ Sullivan found Tymon at the back post, and he headed home his second of the game.

It could have been seven, as Boyes again beat Hayes to the ball in a carbon copy of the fifth goal, but this time the referee ruled it out for a foul on the keeper and booked the striker.

Jake Orrell almost grabbed a consolation for Consett when he beat two men, only to see his shot saved by Catterick, but Hayes had to make two saves from sub Jack Blackford and deny Boyes his hat-trick as Marske kept up the pressure to the end.

When the final whistle went Consett were left to reflect not only on a poor performance, but also on the sort of mistakes they’ll need to cut out if they want to win promotion and compete in the NPL week-in, week-out.

It was their heaviest defeat in five and a half years (since the 0-7 reverse at Newcastle Benfield in April 2015), and only the second time in their history that Marske have reached the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.
ATTENDANCE: 361

• Thanks to Will Matthews for the pictures featured in the slideshow.