Report

Consett kicked off their preparations for the 2020-21 season with a 3-2 win over Northern Alliance opponents Newcastle Blue Star.

A strong side took to the field at Scotswood Sports Centre, containing nine of the XI which started our last game, at Atherstone in the FA Vase 6th Round back in March.

Blue Star had a host of former Northern League players in their side, including ex-Steelmen Josh Scott and Andrew Bulford, while their recently-appointed director of football Lee Clark was among those watching the behind-closed-doors fixture.

It was the home side who took the lead in the 12th minute. Callum Johnston – one of several new signings made for a big promotion push – lobbed keeper Kyle Hayes from the edge of the box.

Consett responded well, with Dale Pearson missing a couple of chances, and Calvin Smith hitting the post with a first-time effort from Darren Holden’s cross.

Blue Star almost doubled their lead in their 32nd minute when Connor Lane hit the bar with a free-kick from 25 yards, but the next goal came from Consett five minutes later when Matty Slocombe’s pass sent Pearson in on goal, and he rounded the keeper to make it 1-1.

Right on half-time the Steelmen took the lead, with Alshabeeb’s precise through ball leaving Pearson with only the keeper to beat, and he obliged to make the half-time score 2-1 to Consett.

Both sides made a plethora of substitutions at the break, with only four of Consett’s starting line-up emerging for the second half. One of the subs, the returning Matty Cornish, played a big role in the goal which made it 3-1 in the 57th minute, setting up new signing Carl Lawson, who curled a peach of a finish into the top corner, pictured top.

On 64 minutes it should have been four when the keeper saved from Lawson, and two Thomas McAloon follow-ups were stopped first by the post and then a defender on the line.

With both sides now making rolling subs, it was hard to keep track, but Blue Star did get a goal back on 71 minutes when Consett lost possession at the back, and substitute Liam Anderson stroked the ball home.

Cornish, who has been playing college football in the USA, looked lively up front. It took a good save to deny him a goal in the 73rd minute, and another chance right at the death glanced the outside of the post.

It finished 3-2 to Consett, and both sides were happy with a good, competitive workout for their first post-lockdown game.

NEWCASTLE BLUE STAR: 1 Phil Hills, 2 Michael Leech, 3 Amrit Punia, 4 Andrew Bulford (captain), 5 Gary McRoberts, 6 Luke Gilhespy, 7 Dan Irving, 8 Connor Lane, 9 Callum Johnston, 10 Sean McRoberts, 11 Josh Scott. Subs: Alex Curran (GK), Steve Anderson, Liam Anderson, Andy Mogwo, Owen Breaton, Joe Mole, John Parker.

CONSETT: 1 Kyle Hayes (sub Joe Atkinson 46), 2 Jermaine Metz (sub A. Trialist 46), 3 Darren Holden (sub Adam Male 46), 4 Matty Slocombe (sub Max Russell 46), 5 Nick Allen (sub Darren Holden 60), 6 Ross Wilkinson (sub Jermaine Metz) 60, 7 Carl Lawson (sub Matty Cornish 46), 8 Calvin Smith (sub Daniel Marriott 46), 9 Dale Pearson (sub Carl Lawson 53), 10 Luke Carr (sub Matty Slocombe 60), 11 Ali Alshabeeb (sub Thomas McAloon) 46).

ATTENDANCE: N/A (behind closed doors).