Tag: arjun purewal

bishop auckland

Consett back on top after battering Bishop Auckland

Consett returned to the top of the Northern League Division One tonight after thumping Bishop Auckland 5-0 at Belle View Stadium.

Strike pair Dale Pearson and Stephen Callen helped themselves to two goals each and skipper Arjun Purewal was also on the scoresheet as the Steelmen dominated from start to finish.

The result leaves Bishops fourth-bottom, and it’s no exaggeration to say they have their goalkeeper to thank for preventing the scoreline being double figures.

Consett took control from the start, and Stephen Callen opened the scoring after just two minutes, stretching to reach Dale Pearson’s ball to the back post, pictured below.

bishop auckland
Stephen Callen slides in to make it 1-0 to Consett. Pic: Gary Welford.

The only surprise was Consett took until the 33rd minute to score again, Arjun Purewal netting with a thumping header, pictured top, from Luke Carr’s free-kick from the right.

A minute later it was 3-0, as Consett broke quickly from defending a corner. Jermaine Metz found Callen, whose pass left Dale Pearson running clear on goal, and he held his nerve to claim his sixth goal of the season.

bishop auckland
Dale Pearson makes it Consett 3 Bishop Auckland 0. Pic: Gary Welford.

Six minutes before half-time a superb crossfield pass by Calvin Smith picked out Pearson on the left, and he was denied by the fingertips of Nick Liversedge, as the Bishops keeper pulled off a superb save, with Callen inches away from converting as he slid in at the back post.

Three minutes into the second half Consett almost made it four when excellent work by James Martin and Pearson set up Callum Guy, who smashed a shot against the bar from 18 yards.

On 59 minutes Martin surged into the box after being sent clear by Pearson’s clever backheel, but was denied by a superb save by Liversedge as it headed for the top corner.

There was nothing the keeper could do, however, when Consett made it 4-0 from the resulting corner, Jake Orrell’s kick picking out Stephen Callen to stab home his second of the game from six yards.

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Stephen Callen grabs his second of the night to make it 4-0. Pic: Gary Welford.

The Steelmen were rampant, but Liversedge stood firm, saving twice from Carr, denying Callen his hat-trick at point-blank range, and making a superb full-length save to thwart Orrell.

Again there was little he could do about the goal which made it 5-0 in the 85th minute, as Carr’s perfect pass sent Dale Pearson clear, and he gave the keeper no chance, scoring his seventh goal in eight games this season.

bishop auckland
Dale Pearson’s seventh goal in eight games makes it Consett 5 Bishop Auckland 0. Pic: Gary Welford.

Consett were able to give young defender Ellis Swinburn his debut for the last few minutes as they continued to lay siege to the visitors’ goal, but a second 5-0 win of the season in front of a crowd of 548 was a perfect response to the weekend’s disappointing FA Cup exit.

Next up for Consett are Thornaby, who could be back on top of the table if they beat Newcastle Benfield tomorrow night. Kick-off at Belle View is 3pm on Saturday.

  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.

Consett go top after beating West Allotment Celtic 5-0

Consett are top of the Northern League Division on goal difference tonight after thumping West Allotment Celtic 5-0 at Belle View Stadium.

The Steelmen made it four wins from four games, with a two-goal blast either side of half-time doing most of the damage against their newly-promoted visitors.

It was a night of firsts, with Dan Marriott getting his first goal for the club, James Metcalfe making his first start, and Harry Pilkington and Drew Lake being given competitive debuts as subs.

Striker Dale Pearson joined the select band of players who have scored 50 goals for the club, and the goal of the night came from Luke Carr – a superb half-volley from a perfect pass by Pearson.

It took 40 minutes for Terry Mitchell’s side to break down his old club, and when the goal came it was a good one.

Carl Lawson’s pass from the left picked out Dan Marriott, and the young midfielder smashed the ball home from eight yards for his first senior goal for the club.

Dan Marriott makes it 1-0 with his first senior goal for Consett. Pic: Gary Welford.

Three minutes later it was 2-0, as Carr’s right-wing cross was flicked goalwards by the head of skipper Arjun Purewal,. No one seems quite sure how it crossed the line until we’ve watched back the footage, but a goalkeeping error seems likely.

Consett skipper Arjun Purewal (partly hidden) flicks the ball on for the second goal. Pic: Gary Welford.

Eleven minutes into the second half it was 3-0, as Dale Pearson latched onto Jake Orrell’s pass, rounded the keeper, who’d come racing out of his area, and walked the ball into the unguarded net.

Dale Pearson rounds the stranded West Allotment keeper on the way to making it 3-0. Pic: Gary Welford.

Two minutes later the big striker turned provider for the goal of the game, hitting a superb crossfield pass from right to left, which Luke Carr crashed home on the half-volley from 20 yards to make it 4-0, pictured top.

Midway through the half Carr almost grabbed another goal with an audacious lob from the centre circle after spotting the keeper off his line, but his effort was a foot or two off target.

Consett did make it five in the 78th minute when Dale Pearson picked up the ball 30 yards out and hit a firm low shot. The keeper appeared to have it covered, but the ball squirmed through his grasp and over the line.

Dale Pearson is congratuilated by Arjun Purewal after making it 5-0 to Consett. Pic: Gary Welford.

It was the striker’s third goal of the season, making him our top scorer, and his 50th goal for the club in just his 59th game.

Next up for Consett are Newton Aycliffe, the only other club in the 1st Division with a 100% record this season. Kick-off at Belle View is 3pm on Saturday, and it should be a cracker.

  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.

fa vase final

FA Vase final: Consett AFC issue special Wembley souvenir – here’s how to get it

Consett AFC are counting down to the biggest day in the club’s history, when they take on fellow Northern League side Hebburn Town in the FA Vase final at Wembley on May 3.

Sadly, the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown means the game will take place behind closed doors, with only a few representatives of either club present, instead of thousands of supporters.

The fact there will be no crowd means The FA won’t be issuing an official match programme, to the disappointment of fans and collectors alike.

However, conscious of the fact that many people tuning in to watch the game live on BT Sport will want a souvenir of the big day, Consett AFC have produced their own.

It’s a bumper 48-page full colour Special Wembley Edition of our matchday programme The Steelman – that’s 50% bigger than usual.

Road to the FA Vase final

Produced by programme editor Gary Welford in association with non-league programme specialists FootiePrint.co.uk, it’s packed with features and pictures from our road to Wembley.

There are exclusive articles by chairman Frank Bell, manager Terry Mitchell, captain Arjun Purewal – who could be facing his twin brother Amar! – and North East football writer Mark Carruthers.

Arj also takes us inside the dressing room, while midfield maestro Luke Carr tells us what it’s like to play, score and win the FA Vase final at Wembley, and there’s a selection of fans’ good luck messages to the lads for the big day.

We turn the spotlight on our opponents too, looking at their route to the final, and the players we’ll face under the shadow of the famous arch.

The Special Wembley Edition is £4 to click and collect, or £5 to have posted out to you. To order yours, call in at the club between 9.30am-10pm Monday-Friday, email consettafc@live.co.uk or call (01207) 588886 and we’ll tell you how you can pay.

Virtual match tickets, priced £8, are also available, along with special FA Vase commemorative shirts and banners. Every ticket purchased will help local youth causes and the If U Care Share Foundation, which works to prevent suicides.

Consett AFC are selling virtual tickets to raise money for good causes. They do not give access to the game or BT Sport’s live coverage.
north shields

Consett continue FA Vase final preparations with friendly win at North Shields

Consett continued their preparations for the FA Vase final with Hebburn Town with a 4-1 friendly win at North Shields today.

The game at the Daren Persson Stadium had to take place behind closed doors, but Terry Mitchell’s side were full value for their win.

Consett took the lead on 20 minutes when Carl Lawson’s corner from the left was headed into the six-yard box by Simon Jakab, and skipper Arjun Purewal was on hand to score with a glancing header.

Ali Alshabeeb was close to making it two when he beat two men in a run down the right, but saw his low shot bounce off the foot of the far post, with no one following in.

But the Steelmen did double their lead in the 38th minute when Matty Cornish was pushed over from behind as he surged into the box, and picked himself up to tuck away the resulting penalty.

On 54 minutes it was 3-0 when a Lawson cross from a short free-kick routine evaded Ross Wilkinson and Jakab, hit the post, and went in off Jakab’s head as his momentum carried him over the goal-line.

North Shields got one back on 62 minutes when Jamie Norvell supplied a close-range finish from a rebound after Kyle Hayes had made a good save against his old side.

But the three-goal advantage was restored in the last minute when good work by Nick Allen and Alshabeeb set up Aksel Juul to fire into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

An impromptu penalty shootout after the game also saw Consett run out victors, 4-3, with goalkeeper Kyle Hayes saving two North Shields kicks and scoring one himself!

Rusty Steelmen out of cup as Birtley grab last-gasp winner

Grand National Day saw Consett exit the Durham Challenge Cup at the first hurdle today when a late winner gave Birtley Town a 2-1 win.

The delayed 1st Round tie was the first match in four months for Consett and their 2nd Division hosts.

And Terry Mitchell’s side looked rusty, to say the least, on their first-ever competitive meeting with their hosts.

It was Daniel Marriott‘s first competitive start, while Darren Holden and Arjun Purewal made their 100th and 150th appearances respectively.

In a first half of few chances it was Birtley who took the lead on 15 minutes when a long ball sent JOE BARWICK clear.

He kept his composure to round keeper Kyle Hayes and finish to give the 2nd Division side a 1-0 lead.

Consett didn’t manage a shot on target in the first half, and trailed 1-0 at the break.

But they got themselves back in the game on 57 minutes when SIMON JAKAB headed home Jake Orrell’s free-kick with the help of a deflection, pictured above.

There were few clear-cut chances for either side, though Consett were grateful to Hayes for a good diving save from Owen Lancaster, diving low to his right.

A penalty shoot-out looked on the cards until Birtley grabbed a winner four minutes into injury time.

Jack Honour’s shot was blocked and Barwick’s follow-up saved, but KELVIN THEAR was first to the loose ball for a tap-in which gave Birtley a deserved win.

Substitute Kelvin Thear (No 12) wheels away after scoring Birtley’s late winner.
  • Full match report and more pictures HERE.

Dale Pearson’s goal clinches the points for Consett against Sunderland RCA

Dale Pearson’s goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win over a dogged Sunderland RCA side today at a blustery Belle View Stadium.

It was the big striker’s fifth goal in his last three games, and his 9th of the season, and lifted Consett to 4th in the Northern League 1st Division.

The first half was a tepid affair, ruined by a gusting wind, and it was 25 minutes before either side had a shot on target, with Kyle Hayes denying RCA striker Stephen Callen at his near post.

Good work by Matty Cornish set up Pearson two minutes later, only for RCA keeper Robbie Dean to make an excellent reaction save. From the resulting corner he saved again from Arjun Purewal’s header, but the referee gave a goal kick.

Right on half-time Matty Slocombe hit a fierce effort from 20 yards which looked goalbound, but a deflection carried it just wide.

The second half saw Consett kicking into the wind, and Pearson had a good chance just a couple of minutes in after beating the visitors’ offside trap, but fired wide.

On 61 minutes Hayes made a fine save from James Fairley, then Luke Carr fired inches wide after good work down the right by Jermaine Metz.

Pearson saw an effort deflected wide after a great pass by Darren Holden, and then RCA had their best spell of the game, with Hayes saving Anthony Callaghan’s free-kick and Ryan Leonard firing across the face of goal.

Cornish had an excellent chance in the 70th minute when he beat two men and brought another fine save out of Dean at his near post.

The winning goal came in the 74th minute, when Consett broke quickly and Carr’s pass sent Dale Pearson clear. This time he won the battle of wills with Dean, finishing from the edge of the box, pictured top.

Consett’s winning margin could have been greater, but Slocombe fired one chance into the side netting in the 85th minute, and another narrowly wide two minutes into added time.

When the final whistle went there was little doubt that the best team had won, and Consett moved to within two points of second-placed North Shields.

  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.

Consett make FA Cup progress with dramatic penalty shootout win after coming from two goals down

Consett will be in Monday’s draw for the 1st Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup after a dramatic afternoon of football at Belle View Stadium.

They came from two goals down against higher-ranked opponents Ossett United to draw 2-2, and then won a sudden death penalty shootout 5-4 to secure their place in the next round.

Despite kicking into a strong wind in the first half, the Northern Premier League side led 2-0 at half-time, even though their hosts had had better chances.

They went ahead on 15 minutes through an Arjun Purewal own goal as the Consett skipper tried to stop Luke Blackburn’s cross reaching the lurking Tom Greaves.

And on 39 minutes, very much against the run of play, it was 2-0 to Ossett when their captain Jack Stockdill volleyed home from a right-wing corner.

With the wind against them, Consett looked to be facing an uphill b attle in the second half, but they halved the deficit on 50 minutes when centre-back Ross Wilkinson glanced home a header, pictured below, from Jake Orrell’s cross.

And five minutes later it was 2-2 when Calvin Smith’s low, hard cross picked out Ali Alshabeeb, who levelled from a few yards out, pictured below.

There was a scare for Consett in the 77th minute when they went to sleep after conceding a free-kick, and Ossett’s Aaron Haswell, who had tested Kyle Hayes a couple of minutes earlier, rattled the crossbar.

Consett had chances too; Wilkinson might have had a second goal, but blazed over from six yards after a goalmouth scramble, and Ossett keeper Max Dearnley, who did well all afternoon, made a great save when full-back Blackburn almost turned Dale Pearson’s cross into his own net.

Pearson wanted a penalty with eight minutes to go, claiming he had been tripped, but the referee waved away his appeal, while Lewis Green brought another good save from Dearnley at his near post.

With no extra time in this season’s FA Cup it was straight to penalties, and the tide seemed to swing in Ossett’s favour when, after going first, they led 3-1 at one point when Simon Jakab’s kick was saved and they scored their first three.

But Consett held their nerve, and when keeper Kyle Hayes saved Ossett’s fourth kick, Pearson scored to level things up at 3-3.

Both sides scored their fifth penalty to make it 4-4, so it went to sudden death, and the pendulum swung Consett’s way when Ossett’s Seon Ripley hit the bar. That left Darren Holden to fire home the decisive kick and give Consett a 5-4 win on penalties.

Consett will find out who their next opponents are when the draw is made on Monday. The next round is on Tuesday 22 September, which means the scheduled league game against Shildon will be postponed.

  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.

Fans are back at Belle View – but see depleted Consett lose to impressive Morpeth

Consett welcomed fans back to Belle View Stadium today for the first time since February, but there was no homecoming party as visitors Morpeth Town ran out 4-2 winners in the latest pre-season friendly.

Terry Mitchell was without eight players for a variety of reasons – not ideal against a side who will fancy their chances of promotion this season from the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division.

The Highwaymen, who looked good for a third successive promotion until last season was abandoned, took the lead on 11 minutes when a left-wing corner was flicked on, and Carl Finnigan volleyed home at the far post.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 as Consett gave the ball away in their own half and left Liam Henderson with a one-on-one which he gratefully accepted.

On 24 minutes the visitors extended their lead further when Consett failed to deal with the overlapping Stephen Forster, and the right-back smashed the ball into the top corner.

Consett had a good chance to reduce the arrears on 29 minutes when Michael Mackay’s initial effort was blocked and Calvin Smith lifted his follow-up over the bar.

Four minutes before the interval Smith was within a whisker of scoring with an exquisite lob, but Morpeth keeper Dan Lowson managed to get a fingertip on the ball to divert it onto the post.

The second half saw both sides make full use of their substitutes, and although Jake Orrell had a couple of chances for Consett, home keeper Joe Atkinson made two good saves, as he had in the first half, and Morpeth’s Ben Sayer saw a well-struck effort fizz just over the bar.

Morpeth made it 4-0 in the 81st minute when their hosts gave away possession again, and Jack Foalle took advantage to finish at the near post.

It was beginning to look like a drubbing, but to Consett’s credit they kept going, and managed to get on the scoresheet twice to give their supporters something to cheer.

First, Calvin Smith‘s low drive from 25 yards beat Morpeth’s sub keeper with the help of a deflection from a defender in the 83rd minute.

Then, with two minutes to go, Daniel Marriott’s left-wing corner found Arjun Purewal in the six-yard box, and the Consett skipper fired home, pictured top.

Given their depleted ranks and the fact their opponents play two divisions higher, Consett more than held their own for most of the game, apart from that 13-minute spell in the first half when they conceded three goals.

Hopefully, the next game at Belle View, against Ryhope CW in the FA Cup on 1 September, will see some of Consett’s absentees back to strengthen their options.

  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.