Tag: Carl Lawson

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Consett suffer semi-final heartache at Ashington – and a double blow to their play-off hopes

A brave second-half comeback by 10-man Consett came to nothing tonight when they were beaten 4-3 at Ashington in the semi-final of the Division One Cup.

Trailing 3-1 at half-time, they got the score back to 3-3 despite having Calvin Smith sent off, and were within six minutes of taking the tie to a penalty shoot-out.

But they shot themselves in the foot by conceding a poor goal straight from the restart, and had Darren Holden sent off after the final whistle.

The red cards means Smith and Holden will both be suspended from the one-off promotion play-off on Saturday 30 April, leaving manager Andy Coyles with an almighty headache and a severely-depleted squad.

Ashington took the lead after just five minutes, when Kyle Hayes fumbled a corner and big centre-back Ben Harmison bundled the ball home from point-blank range.

Three minutes later the Steelmen were level, after David Dowson’s knockdown to Carl Lawson, who fired in off the post to make it 1-1.

Hayes saved well from Robert-Lee Taylor on 19 minutes, but there was nothing he could do two minutes later when Lawson lost his man and Jordan Summerly finished low past the keeper for 2-1.

Lawson almost grabbed a second equaliser a minute later, but saw his shot cleared off the line by a defender, and the visitors were made to pay on 24 minutes when Ashington scored again.

Smith gave the ball away as Consett passed their way out from the back, and the Colliers’ top scorer Dean Briggs drove at the makeshift defence to fire past Hayes and make it 3-1.

Colin Larkin went close to reducing the arrears five minutes before half-time when he chested the ball down 25 yards out and fired into the side netting, but it was a second-best Consett team who headed into the dressing rooms at the break.

Ashington were backed by a vociferous crowd who were appealing for every decision, real and otherwise, and they demanded a red card for a Jake Orrell foul on 55 minutes, but the referee decided yellow was sufficient.

Three minutes later they got their wish when Calvin Smith was shown a straight red card for a challenge which many onlookers thought had won the ball.

Consett now had a mountain to climb, but bringing on strikers Scott Heslop and Dale Pearson for David Dowson and Luke Carr injected fresh energy into their attacking play.

They were indebted to Hayes for keeping them in the game on 65 minutes with a superb double save, but on 73 minutes they were right back in it when Scott Heslop bulleted in a header from Orrell’s corner.

On 83 minutes Consett’s endeavours were rewarded when home right-back Liam Doyle wrestled Pearson to the ground, pictured top, and the referee awarded a penalty, which was despatched by Colin Larkin to make it 3-3.

Incredibly, within 60 seconds Consett’s fightback was in vain when, straight from the kick off, they failed to deal with a surging run from the halfway line, and when the ball fell to ex-Steelman Dean Briggs he fired home what turned out to be the winner.

If such late heartache wasn’t bad enough, Holden – Consett’s only fit defender – was red-carded after the final whistle for something he said to the referee, which rules him out of the promotion play-off.

With almost an entire XI currently unavailable, the Steelmen’s chances of playing in the Northern Premier League next season appear to be receding rapidly.

But before the one-off away game against as-yet unknown opponents there’s the small matter of completing our Northern League fixtures this Saturday, with a home game against Ashington, kick-off 3pm.

  • Full match report, stats and more pictures to follow.

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Consett show their mettle by bouncing back with a good cup win at Redcar

Consett showed what they’re made of after two back-to-back defeats by making Division One Cup progress with a fine 5-1 win at Redcar Athletic tonight.

The other Steelmen claimed the bragging rights 11 days ago when they won 2-1 at Belle View in the league in the clubs’ first-ever meeting.

But Consett took their revenge at Green Lane with their best performance in several weeks, to secure their progress to a home quarter-final against West Auckland.

The game was played in torrential conditions, and it rained goals from the start as Consett went about their business with real purpose.

The visitors took the lead on 10 minutes when Colin Larkin, pictured top, played a cross in from the right, Scott Heslop missed it, but Jake Orrell was on hand to score his 10th goal of the season from close range.

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Jake Orrell makes it 1-0 to Consett from close range. Pic: Gary Welford.

On 22 minutes it was 2-0 when home keeper James Dawson was unable to hold a fierce 30-yarder from Darren Holden, and Lewis Green followed in to finish the rebound to claim his first goal for the club.

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Lewis Green (No 5) reacts quickest to a rebound to make it 2-0 to Consett. Pic: Gary Welford.

Redcar pulled a goal back on the half-hour through Jordan Rivis, who powerfully headed home from a right-wing corner.

But three minutes later Consett’s two-goal lead was restored after a great run by Matty Slocombe, who fed the ball to Green, who set up Scott Heslop to make it 3-1. It was the striker’s fifth goal in eight games since joining from Dunston.

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Scott Heslop make it 3-1 to put Consett in control. Pic: Gary Welford.

It remained 3-1 at half-time, and after a fairly even first 15 minutes of the second half, Consett started to take control.

Redcar were grateful to Dawson for good saves from Green and Orrell, while Consett’s Ross Coombe made a good save from home dangerman Isaac Walker to add to a flying stop he’d made in the first half.

Consett always looked in control, and it was no surprise when Colin Larkin made it 4-1 in the 83rd minute, finishing low past the keeper from Slocombe’s sliderule pass.

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Colin Larkin makes it 4-1 to Consett. Pic: Gary Welford.

In the 89th minute Consett rounded off the night with a fifth goal, and it was Colin Larkin again, with his 14th of the season, this time from Carl Lawson’s pass.

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Colin Larkin (partly hidden) completes the scoring to make it Redcar 1 Consett 5. Pic: Gary Welford.

Such a good win was an important boost to morale after two recent league defeats, and we return to league action on Saturday with a visit to Bishop Auckland, KO 3pm.

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Cassidy stunner ends Billingham resistance to put Consett 11 points clear

A stunning strike from their No 2 was enough for Consett to beat dogged Billingham Town at a bitterly cold Belle View tonight in a fitting way to mark ‘all twos day’.

Right-back Nick Cassidy, re-signed from North Shields in early January, scored the only goal of a hard-fought victory over the relegation-threatened visitors in the 73rd minute.

He met a Darren Holden cross from the left on the volley with his right foot, pictured top, smashing the ball past former Consett keeper Jack Norton to secure a deserved win.

The victory means Consett are now 11 points clear at the top of Division One of the Northern League, with nine games left to play.

Consett drew 1-1 at Billingham earlier in the season, and the visitors again gave a good account of themselves, despite being second-bottom of the table.

Billingham had the strong wind behind them in the first half, but it was Consett who made the best chances.

Dale Pearson fired over from a superb first-time Holden cross on seven minutes, then was just beaten to the ball by the outstretched arm of Norton after a fine move involving Cassidy, Luke Carr and Jake Orrell on the half-hour.

A minute later Consett had the ball in the net, when Pearson’s shot was saved by Norton and centre-back Matthew Ridley pounced to convert the loose ball, but was ruled offside.

On 35 minutes Billingham had their best chance of the game with a shot from distance, but Kyle Hayes, who hadn’t had a lot to do, tipped the ball over the bar.

Consett should have gone ahead in the 36th minute when another superb cross from Holden picked out Carr six yards out, but he headed the ball up and over the bar.

The game remained goalless at half-time, and with the wind getting even stronger after the break, Billingham found it difficult to get out of their own half at times.

Carr’s low effort by saved by Norton at his near post on 52 minutes, and on 65 Pearson was sent clear with only the keeper to beat, but put his shot the wrong side of the post.

Pearson then teed up Carl Lawson, whose well-struck effort was cleared off the line by defender Andrew Wilson, and you began to wonder if it was going to be one of those nights.

But with the visitors finding it increasingly difficult to get out of their own half in the face of a strengthening wind, that superb Cassidy strike broke the deadlock.

Consett saw out the game comfortably, without being able to get a second goal to seal the win.

With no game this weekend, the next fixture is now at North Shields on Wednesday 2 March in the 1st Round of the new Division One Cup, KO 7.30pm.

  • Full match report, stats and more pictures to follow. Main picture: S Finch Imagery.

Consett bounce back from double cup defeat with vital win at Newton Aycliffe

Consett shrugged off the disappointment of exiting two cups in a week by strengthening their position as Northern League Division One leaders with a 2-0 win at Newton Aycliffe today.

It was one of their recent signings, Scott Heslop, who will grab the headlines after scoring both goals, but it was an excellent all-round team performance.

Manager Andy Coyles made six changes to the starting XI from the midweek game against Shildon, with Dan Capewell – signed yesterday from Dunston – making his debut at centre-back.

But the Steelmen were still without NINE players for a variety of reasons, and faced a tough task against their sixth-placed hosts, who won at Belle View earlier in the season.

It was a special day for one player, Calvin Smith, pictured, who was making his 400th appearance for the club – becoming just the eighth player in its history to reach that landmark.

Aycliffe started well, and almost took the lead on 10 minutes when Liam Jarvie was denied by the post, and a minute later Consett were grateful to keeper Kyle Hayes, who beat out Ethan Wood’s well-struck effort.

But they slowly grew into the game, and took the lead on 18 minutes when skipper Luke Carr whipped in a free-kick from the right, Aycliffe’s Marc Costello could only divert the ball goalwards, and Scott Heslop got the faintest of touches to take it through the keeper’s legs for 1-0, pictured top.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 as a great move down the left saw Colin Larkin send in a superb cross for Scott Heslop to slide home from inside the six-yard-box, pictured, for his fourth goal in two games.

Four minutes before half-time it was almost three when another move down the left saw Larkin fail by inches to get his head to Darren Holden’s cross, with Lewis Green, coming in late at the back post, unable to steer his effort on target.

Aycliffe started the second half well, and Hayes had to be at his best to keep out a close-range effort from Jarvie, while they also had a strong penalty appeal for handball against Capewell turned down.

The home side dominated possession for most of the half, but Consett – with Capewell and Smith outstanding at the heart of the back four – defended superbly, and the Steelmen had a couple of late chances to make the final scoreline even more emphatic.

First, Green did well to cut the ball back from the byline, but sub Carl Lawson could only head into the keeper’s arms from a few yards out.

Then Aycliffe custodian Adam Pickford made the save of the game from Jake Orrell’s 25-yard free-kick in added time, getting a strong hand to the ball to ensure the game finished 2-0.

  • Full match report, stats and more pictures to follow.

Late Luke Carr winner sees Consett grind out a good win at Sunderland RCA

Consett maintained their three-point lead at the top of the Northern League with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Sunderland RCA today.

They took the lead at a blustery Meadow Park on 22 minutes when RCA old boy Colin Larkin‘s great run saw him finish a Jermaine Metz cross from close range.

Larkin almost made it two on 33 minutes when he latched onto a through ball by another ex-RCA player, Carl Lawson, rounded the keeper, but could only find the side netting from a tight angle.

It was a game of few clear-cut chances, but midway through the second half RCA found an equaliser when Matty Weirs got in behind his man to make it 1-1.

Consett then had to thank goalkeeper Ross Coombe – making his second debut for the club after three years away – for tipping another effort by Weirs onto the woodwork.

And the Steelmen got the winner with eight minutes to go when a sublime flick by Larkin picked out Luke Carr‘s run, and the playmaker held his nerve to finish from 10 yards, pictured top.

The win means Consett remain three points clear at the top of Division One, while second-placed West Auckland plus Thornaby and Ryhope CW from the chasing pack also won. North Shields did not play, and Newton Aycliffe surprisingly lost at home to lowly West Allotment Celtic.

  • Full match report, stats and picture gallery HERE.

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.

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Consett come from behind twice to snatch late FA Cup winner at Whickham

Consett made it three wins out of three tonight and progressed in the FA Cup after a thrilling come-fro- behind 3-2 victory at Whickham. 

As with the midweek league game at Northallerton, it was another late show from the Steelmen, as they were twice forced to come from behind against a lively Whickham side. 

They levelled twice through goals from Luke Carr and Jake Orrell before an 89th-minute header from substitute Carl Lawson sent the large travelling contingent of Consett supporters home extremely happy. 

Consett had all the early chances, but succumbed to a sucker punch in the 14th minute as Whickham took the lead with their first attack of note.  

A good cross from the right wing found Scott Robson 12 yards out and although Kyle Hayes got a good hand to the shot, he could only help it into the bottom corner of the net.

Parity was deservedly restored in the 16th minute as the increasingly influential Luke Carr picked the ball up in midfield and advanced towards goal and as the home defence backed off, pictured top, the number 8 unleashed an unstoppable shot past Norton into the bottom right corner. 

While the first half was end to end, the second was much tighter, and while Consett dominated possession they were finding it increasingly difficult to make any headway.

They were made to pay the price on 70 minutes as Whickham substitute Damien Stevens burst through a hole in the Consett defence and finished calmly past Hayes to restore the home side’s lead. 

On 75 minutes Dale Pearson turned provider as he laid the ball into the path of Jake Orrell 12 yards out,, and while most people were expecting the midfielder to look for a colleague, he expertly curled a shot past Norton into the top corner from a tight angle. 

Not happy to settle for a replay, the Steelmen sensed a winner and in the 89th minute Pearson smashed a shot off the underside of the bar.

While players and spectators looked towards the assistant referee, pleading for him to signal that the ball had crossed the line (it hadn’t), substitute Carl Lawson calmly headed in from a few yards out.

The goal sent the massed ranks of the Conny Army behind that goal into raptures and the team into the Preliminary Qualifying round of the FA Cup and a home tie with Bridlington Town.

Andy Ball

  • Full match report, statistics and pictures HERE.

Callum’s the Guy as Consett start the season with a win over Seaham

Consett got their Northern League campaign off to a winning start today, beating a dogged Seaham Red Star 3-1 at Belle View Stadium.

Wearing their new red and black away kit, the Steelmen gave debuts to two of their new signings, left-back Charlie Exley and midfielder Callum Guy.

Both did well, and Guy turned out to be one of the key men in the game, which saw Consett take the lead, pegged back, then take three points with an impressive second-half display.

They opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Carl Lawson took Calvin Smith’s crossfield ball down on his chest, turned, and smashed an unstoppable effort in off the bar from 22 yards, pictured below.

The lead didn’t last long, however, as Seaham equalised two minutes later, with right-back Jordan Patterson getting on the end of Lee Kerr’s cross to glance in a header.

Six minutes before half-time Consett almost restored their lead, when Jake Orrell played in Luke Carr, whose dinked effort was saved by Seaham keeper Andrew Jennison, and centre-back Max Nelson cleared the loose ball before Dale Pearson could take advantage.

It remained 1-1 at the break, and the Steelmen were grateful to keeper Kyle Hayes for saving with his feet from Adam Lennox in the 52nd minute.

Nine minutes later Consett regained the lead with a fine goal. Guy started the move in midfield, spraying the ball out wide for Pearson.

The No.9 made for the byline before pulling the ball back for Callum Guy, who had continued his run into the box, to finish from 10 yards, firing into the roof of the net for 2-1, pictured below.

Consett’s tails were up, and Pearson and Exley both had chances to increase the lead before they scored a third goal to clinch the game in the 79th minute.

This time Guy returned the favour for Dale Pearson, setting up the striker to score from eight yards after seeing the Seaham keeper save his initial effort.

The final scoreline could have been more. Jennison made an excellent save from Orrell, who burst clean through after robbing Kerr in midfield, and sub Dan Marriott curled an effort just wide after Orrell turned provider.

But manager Terry Mitchell was happy enough to get three points on the board, ahead of a week in which his side faces two tricky away games, in the league at Northallerton on Wednesday, then the FA Cup at Whickham on Friday.

  • Full match report and more pictures HERE.
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Keeper Kyle stars as Consett keep South Shields at bay

Goalkeeper Kyle Hayes was Consett’s star man as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at South Shields in their latest pre-season friendly tonight.

He led by example as the Steelmen fought a spirited rearguard action against a strong Mariners side, who play in the top flight of the Northern Premier League, two divisions above Consett

Hayes made a string of excellent saves to spare his team the same fate as recently promoted Stockton Town, who lost 6-1 at the 1st Cloud Arena at the weekend.

The only goal of the game, played in front of an impressive crowd of 1,012, came five minutes before half-time, when Consett cheaply conceded possession deep in their own half.

Callum Ross took the ball off Carl Lawson and played through the in-form Darius Osei, who slid the ball under Hayes for his third goal in two games.

It wasn’t quite one-way traffic, with Dale Pearson, Matty Slocombe and Jermaine Metz all having decent chances in the first half – the latter’s deflected shot hitting the top of the bar.

That one mistake aside, Consett defended well as they were forced to keep their discipline and shape for long spells of the game.

Shields began to lay siege to their visitors’ goal after Consett made a raft of substitutions from the hour mark onwards, but Hayes’ heroics and some determined defending by those in front of him meant the hosts had to settle for 1-0.

Consett’s final pre-season friendly is this Saturday, 24 July, when they entertain another Northern Premier League side, Workington, at Belle View Stadium.

Kick-off is 3pm, and admission costs for £5 for adults/£3 for concessions/£1 for under-16s.