Tag: Blyth Spartans

danny barlow

Consett sign Blyth Spartans midfielder on month-long loan

Consett have today signed midfielder Danny Barlow from National League North side Blyth Spartans on a month-long loan.

The 23-year-old has been at Croft Park for a year after signing on dual registration from Whickham. He made 11 appearances last season, scoring once, and was a key part of the side as they successfully fought relegation.

Born in Monkseaton, versatile left-footer Danny was at Sunderland AFC Academy from the ages of 8-13, and also attended Monkseaton Football Academy.

He represented England Under-18s Schoolboys before heading out to the USA on a scholarship.

Turning out for Saginaw Valley State University, he managed 15 goals and five assists in 16 appearances, earning his side’s Player of the Year award for the 2020-21 season.

At the end of that season he returned to England, signing for Whickham in December 2021, and joining Blyth Spartans (then managed by ex-Consett boss Terry Mitchell) on dual registration in February 2022.

Danny, who worked with current Consett manager Tony Fawcett at Whickham, is expected to go straight into the squad for tonight’s Northern Premier League game at North Shields.

Consett AFC chairman Frank Bell said: “Danny has played at a good level, and is joining us on a month’s loan. We’d like to thank Blyth Spartans for their assistance in making this happen.”

terry mitchell

Consett manager Terry Mitchell and his No. 2 quit to join Blyth Spartans

Consett manager Terry Mitchell and his assistant Graeme Coulson today left the club to take up positions at National League North club Blyth Spartans.

Their shock resignations come with the Steelmen seven points clear at the top of Northern League Division One, and in the 3rd Round of the FA Vase, eyeing a return trip to Wembley.

Terry took over the hotseat at the start of the 2019-20 season, while Graeme had also served as Chris Moore’s No 2 the previous season.

They took the club all the way to Wembley for the first time in the club’s history in the 2019-20 FA Vase, losing 3-2 to then-Northern League rivals Hebburn Town in the Covid-delayed final in May 2021.

Consett AFC chairman Frank Bell said: “I got a phone call from Terry today to say that he and Graeme are leaving with immediate effect to take up similar posts with Blyth Spartans.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Terry for his hard work and dedication over the last two and a half years, and to Graeme for the last three and a half years.

“They gave us the wonderful experience of taking the club to Wembley, and leave us in a good position to fulfil our ambition of promotion. We wish them all the very best in their endeavours at Blyth Spartans.”

Coach Andy Coyles will become temporary manager with immediate effect, assisted by goalkeeping coach Ben Cole.

matty slocombe

Slocombe scorcher wins it for Consett as they beat English Universities XI

A rare goal from Matty Slocombe, pictured above, proved to be the difference as Consett beat an English Universities XI 1-0 in their last pre-Wembley friendly.

Blyth Spartans’ Croft Park ground was the venue for the behind-closed-doors game against coach Andy Coyles’ students, who had beaten National League North side Chorley 4-1 on Friday night.

Darren Holden rolled a shot inches wide at one end while Consett keeper Kyle Hayes stood up well to save in a one-on-one in the best two chances of a goalless first half.

What proved to be the winning goal came in the 54th minute, when Matty Slocombe smashed a rocket shot into the top corner, pictured below, as a half-cleared corner fell to him outside the box.

It was a well-contested game of very few clear-cut chances, though Consett were grateful to Hayes for a late save, which preserved their lead and meant they finished their FA Vase final preparations with a win.

Next stop … Wembley!

Consett AFC thank Dan Hawkins for his service as he decides to end his five-year spell at the club

Consett AFC today wished Dan Hawkins well after the popular midfielder decided to leave the club after five years, in search of more regular game time.

The 28-year-old’s contract recently expired, and he has agreed to join fellow Northern League 1st Division side Seaham Red Star, where he had a successful loan spell last season.

Consett AFC chairman Frank Bell said: “From the day he arrived at the club, Dan was extremely loyal and an excellent asset.

“He played just about everywhere but in goal for us, and showed tremendous character by coming back from a horrific injury.

Dan Hawkins in action against Whitley Bay. Pic: Gary Welford.

“We’re disappointed that he’s decided to leave, but fully understand his desire to start games on a more regular basis.

“He leaves on good terms with our best wishes, and he knows he will always be welcome back at Belle View.”

Dan signed for Consett in the summer of 2015, having spent the previous season with Blyth Spartans in the Evo-stik League Premier Division, and helping them to the 3rd Round proper of the FA Cup.

An ex-Middlesbrough Academy player, he had previously spent four years at Bishop Auckland, helping them to lift the Durham Challenge Cup in 2013.

Dan, pictured with Willie Donachie and Mark Eccles, was Player of the Year in 2016-17.

He arrived at Consett as a midfielder, but showed his versatility by also playing at right-back, centre-back and centre-forward.

Named vice-captain for the 2016-17 season, he responded by turning in some excellent performances, and being voted Player of the Year.

Sadly, he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury in December 2017 in a League Cup tie v. Tow Law. It needed two operations and ruled him out for more than a year, but Dan slowly regained fitness and became a regular squad member again last season.

His last appearance was against Atherstone Town in the 6th Round of the FA Vase on 7 March, when he made a little bit of club history by becoming our first-ever ‘fourth sub’ during extra time.

Dan made seven starts and 10 substitute appearances last season, scoring once, at Brandon in the League Cup. His overall record as a Steelman is 134 games and 14 goals.

Dan Hawkins became Consett’s first-ever ‘fourth sub’ in the FA Vase at Atherstone.

Consett strengthen their squad with the signing of former Blyth Spartans player Jake Orrell

Consett have announced the signing of attacking midfielder Jake Orrell, who has just been released by Blyth Spartans.

The National League North side announced on Friday that the 22-year-old’s contract had been cancelled by mutual consent.  

Orrell is a player who has been on Consett’s radar for some time, and the club acted quickly to speak to him and agree terms once his availability was known. He went straight into the squad for the match against second-placed Stockton Town at the Coverall Stadium.

Orrell began his career at the Sunderland AFC Academy, before joining Gateshead in January 2015, and making six substitute appearances for them towards the end of the 2014-15 season.

A trial at Chesterfield earned him a professional contract, and he made two first-team appearances for the League One side before being loaned out to Matlock Town, and then joining Hartlepool United on a free transfer in June 2016.

After a spell with Spennymoor Town in the Northern Premier League, he joined Northern League club Newcastle Benfield in October 2017, and was a member of the side who were League Cup runners-up last season.

He signed for Blyth Spartans in the summer, and although he had featured regularly, appearing in 10 of their 13 games this season, the club said the decision to release him from his contract was agreed reluctantly, at the player’s request.

Manager Lee Clark said: “Jake came to see me about leaving. I was disappointed, but if anyone wants to play at a lower level then they have not got the ambition I want. I wish Jake all the best for his future career.”

Jake said: “There was only one choice of club for me on leaving Blyth, and that was Consett. They’re a great club with big ambition, and  can’t wait to get started.”

Lights go out on Consett’s chance to go top of the table as they lose at Ryhope CW

The lights went out on Consett’s bid to go top of the Northern League tonight as they lost 2-1 at Ryhope Colliery Welfare.

A turgid opening half came to life just after the half-hour mark, when, in the space of two minutes, both sides had strong penalty appeals. One was given and the other not.

Consett’s came in the 33rd minute, when Ali Alshabeeb appeared to be pushed over from behind by Ryhope captain Ben Riding as he chased  a ball into the box. The referee gave nothing.

Consett’s Ali Alshabeeb goes down under challenge from Ryhope CW captain Ben Riding. Pic: Gary Welford.

Two minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty when Calvin Smith fouled David Vincent, but keeper Mark Foden – on loan from Blyth Spartans – spared his team-mate’s blushes, diving low to his left to save Jack Devlin’s spot kick, and then kick the loose ball away, pictured at the top of this article.

It remained 0-0 at half-time, but Ryhope took the lead in the 49th minute when Riding forced the ball home from close range after the Consett defence failed to clear a free-kick.

Seven minutes later it should have been two when Matty Weirs’ low cross from the left found Devlin, who somehow lifted his shot over the bar from close range.

It was a big let-off for Consett, and within 60 seconds they were level.  Luke Carr – captain for the night in the absence of the injured Arjun Purewal – set Alshabeeb clear, and the wide man made no mistake, rolling the ball past Ryhope keeper James Winter for his first competitive goal for the club.

Ali Alshabeeb makes it 1-1 with his first competitive goal for Consett. Pic: Gary Welford.

The next 20 minutes saw Consett do most of the attacking, without creating a clear-cut chance, but with 10 minutes to go the floodlights went off –  apparently because a substituted player turned on the showers.

After a 15-minute wait the lights came back on, but Consett were left wishing they hadn’t, as Ryhope sub Michael Rae scored what turned out to be the winner in the 83rd minute.

He picked the ball up outside the box, cut inside his man, and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top-right corner.

It was a goal worthy of winning any game, but the Steelmen can only think what might have been if the lights going out hadn’t halted their momentum.

* Full match report & more pictures to follow.