Tag: cyril giraud

28/01/202329/01/2023

Ten-man Consett’s winning run comes to an end at hands of streetwise Grimsby Borough

Consett’s three-game winning run came to an end at Belle View Stadium today as they lost 3-1 to in-form Grimsby Borough.

The visitors arrived unbeaten in 11 games, and made it 12 with a win where they showed just how streetwise they’ve become since starting the season with six consecutive defeats.

A tight first half was goalless, with Scott Fenwick having a shot cleared off the line for Consett, pictured below, and Ross Coombe saving well from Reece York at the other end.

grimsby — **Scott Fenwick prods the ball past the keeper, but No 6 got back to clear. Pic: Keith Marley.**

Calvin Smith hit the post as Consett started the second half well, with Fenwick denied a penalty as he seemed to be felled as he reacted to the rebound.

The complexion of the game changed completely in the 48th minute when the referee showed a straight red card to the disbelieving Zak Atkinson, pictured top, for a foul which Adam Mitchell had committed.

After a chaotic few minutes during which tempers frayed and the referee eventually sent off the right player, Grimsby took the lead while Consett got used to playing with 10 men.

A quick break down the right – where the dismissed Mitchell had been playing – saw the visitors’ top scorer Adam Drury exchange passes with York before firing a first-time shot past Coombe to make it 0-1.

Consett skipper Arjun Purewal had a glorious chance to level from a corner five minutes later, but his powerful header, pictured below, went inches over the bar.

**This header by Consett captain Arjun Purewal cleared the bar by inches. Pic: Gary Welford.**

The home side were made to pay when another quick raid down Consett’s depleted flank saw debutant Tyler Edwards convert from a pass by Lewis Collins.

A flurry of substitutions followed as Consett sought a way back into the game and Grimsby tried to hold onto what they had, but the home side received a lifeline in the 84th minute.

Borough centre-back Callum Lovett brought down Fenwick with a scything tackle, pictured below, and Consett’s top scorer Zak Atkinson stepped up to convert the resulting spot kick and make it 1-2 with his 10th goal of the season.

Substitute Cyril Giraud and Atkinson had chances to level, and with five minutes of time added at the end of the game the crowd got behind Consett, spurring the 10 men on for a late leveller.

Instead the decisive goal went the other way as sub Kyle Radford made it 1-3 with a strike from distance, which went in off the post.

The result saw Consett drop one place to 10th, with their next fixture a tough away trip to third-placed Stocksbridge Park Steels next Saturday, 4 February.

Full match report and more pictures to follow.

01/11/202201/11/2022

Consett take the lead but lose at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels

Consett learned another Northern Premier League lesson tonight when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Stocksbridge Park Steels, despite taking the lead.

The Sheffield side pinched all three points by taking their chances against a Consett side who played some decent football, but were found wanting in both boxes.

Zak Atkinson gave the home side the lead on 14 minutes, pictured top, when he finished a lovely flowing move down the left involving Evan Horwood and Colin Larkin. It was his sixth goal of the season, making him the club’s top scorer.

But on 25 minutes it was all square when the visitors broke quickly from a Consett attack and pacy striker Ify Ofoegbu beat two men before burying a shot past Ross Coombe.

In added time at the end of the first half Declan Bisset brought a fine save from Steels keeper Harrison Davison-Hale with a stinging drive from 20 yards, and the sides went in level at the break.

Parity didn’t last long, however, and a defensive error in the first minute of the second half gifted what turned out to be the winner to the visitors.

A loose pass by Coombe was seized upon by Stocksbridge, who were playing a high pressing game, and Leigh Whelan made it 2-1.

Jake Orrell and Calvin Smith had efforts deflected wide and Cyril Giraud and Adam Mitchell both missed headed chances as Consett pressed for an equaliser.

Larkin almost rescued a point for Consett in the second minute of added time, but his well-struck 25-yarder came back off the bar with the keeper beaten.

The defeat saw Consett drop a place to 10th in the NPL Division One East table and means they have now gone eight games without a win (if you count the West Auckland cup game as a draw).

Full match report and more pictures to follow.

17/09/202217/09/2022

Consett pick up a good three points on their travels with a hard-earned win at Lincoln United

Consett went third in the Northern Premier League Division One East today after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Lincoln United.

Jake Orrell’s fifth goal of the season – his third in his last four games – gave the Steelmen the points on their first-ever visit to Ashby Avenue.

On 10 minutes Consett were within a whisker of taking the lead with a great move. It started with Calvin Smith’s superb crossfield pass, which picked out Orrell on the left.

He sent in a wicked cross, which Zak Atkinson was inches away from connecting with, and Adam Mitchell, coming in at the back post, couldn’t quite direct his shot on target, pictured below.

On 27 minutes Consett went close again through Cyril Giraud, who cut in from the left and unleashed a shot which the keeper found too hot to hold, but the rebound evaded the following-in Atkinson.

As half-time approached Atkinson brought a second good save from Lincoln keeper Liburd Hines, after good work by Mitchell and Giraud.

The Steelmen got what turned out to be the winning goal in the second added minute at the end of the first half. Mitchell fed the ball out to Jake Orrell on the left of the penalty area, and the midfielder took a touch before picking his spot in the top corner, pictured top.

The second half was very scrappy, but Consett defended resolutely, and went close to doubling their lead in the 80th minute, when Lewis Green’s acrobatic volley from Orrell’s cross was superbly saved by Hines, pictured below.

They had another chance to seal the points in the 84th minute, when Atkinson directed a header just wide from Orrell’s free kick.

But with Calvin Smith and Dan Capewell in particular outstanding at the back, Consett saw the game out comfortably to head home with three hard-earned points.

Full match report and more pictures HERE.

06/09/202209/09/2022

Consett pick up their first Northern Premier League away win with a fine performance at Shildon

Consett picked up their first three points on their travels since joining the Northern Premier League tonight when they won 3-1 at Shildon.

Dean Street was seldom a happy hunting ground for the Steelmen when we were Northern League rivals with the Railwaymen – but they fully deserved the points after a fine performance.

Darren Holden got Consett off to a perfect start, giving them the lead after just five minutes, smashing a shot in off the bar from Cyril Giraud’s pass.

On 10 minutes it could have been 2-0, but Shildon keeper Matthew Bateman pulled off a great save to deny Jake Orrell after a poor defensive header landed at his feet.

On 27 minutes Consett did double their lead when a corner was half-cleared to Orrell, whose cross found Dan Capewell, who glanced in a header at the back post.

The visitors were rampant, and Zak Atkinson was inches away from getting on the end of a cross to the back post, while Lewis Green saw a shot deflected just wide after good work by Giraud.

It was the 37th minute before Shildon troubled the Consett goal, and when they did keeper Mark Foden made a good low save to deny Jon Weirs.

But it was the visitors who came closest to adding to the scoreline when Capewell bulleted a header goalwards from a right-wing corner, but Bateman made a good reaction save on the line.

It remained 2-0 at half-time, and Consett picked up in the second half where they had left off, with great play between Karl Byrne and Colin Larkin – making his first appearance of the season – setting up Orrell, whose shot was blocked.

Atkinson was inches away from connecting with a spectacular diving header, and on 54 minutes Consett could have been out of sight when Byrne’s beautiful lofted pass sent Giraud through, but he fired narrowly wide.

Shildon received a lifeline on 72 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a Capewell foul on sub Wilson Kneeshaw, but Foden made a fine save, diving low to his left.

On 79 minutes the home side did find a way back into the game when right-back Joe Posthill saw his initial shot well saved by Foden, but followed in to score from the rebound and make it 2-1.

A minute later Consett had a chance to restore their two-goal lead when Orrell’s pass found Larkin a few yards out, but he didn’t connect properly and a defender got back to clear the ball off the line.

But they were in no mood to let this game slip, and secured the points in the 87th minute when Darren Holden’s left-wing corner seemed to be punched into his own goal by keeper Matthew Bateman, with Dan Capewell following in to make sure, pictured top.

When the final whistle went it was a well-earned three points for Consett, who controlled the game from start to finish, and could and perhaps should have won even more convincingly.

The healthy travelling contingent in the crowd of 326 would certainly settle for a repeat performance on Saturday, when the sides meet again at Dean Street in the FA Trophy, kick off 3pm.

16/08/202216/08/2022

Consett pick up their first Northern Premier League point by drawing with North Shields

Consett picked up their first point of the season tonight in a 0-0 draw with North Shields – but were the width of the woodwork away from making it all three.

Encouraged by Saturday’s battling performance at Cleethorpes Town, the Steelmen hosted last season’s Northern League champions at Belle View Stadium in their first home Northern Premier League game.

A healthy midweek crowd of 429 was treated to a good, hard-fought contest between two well-matched sides – and all that was missing was a goal.

David Robinson had the ball in the net for the visitors on 16 minutes, but the ‘goal’ was correctly ruled out for offside.

On 28 minutes Shields were grateful to keeper Finlay Hodgson for keeping the scoresheet blank as he stood up well to Cyril Giraud’s fiercely-struck drive.

Seven minutes later Hodgson made an even better save from Jake Orrell, tipping his effort onto the bar after the midfielder created space for the shot with a tremendous piece of skill.

North Shields rarely threatened, with their big striker Dan Wilson kept well in check by the home defence, and Consett keeper Ross Coombe didn’t have a serious save to make all night.

Consett had a big shout for a penalty on 72 minutes when a surging run from Matty Slocombe was brought to an abrupt halt by his Shields counterpart Anth Myers.

The referee decided the offence, pictured top, was right on the edge of the box, and awarded a free-kick, which was fired against the foot of the post by Orrell, with the rebound evading the following-in Zak Atkinson.

Dan Marriott had a late chance to be Consett’s hero, but his curling shot from 20 yards a minute after coming on as sub flashed just over the bar.

It ended honours even, but the Steelmen are off the mark, and can take a lot of positives from their performance – probably the best of the season so far.

Full match report and more pictures to follow.
Next up for Consett is a rearranged home game against Tadcaster Albion this Saturday, 20 August, KO 3pm.

30/07/202230/07/2022

Consett draw at Liversedge in their final pre-season friendly

Consett came from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw at Liversedge in a proverbial games of two halves in their final pre-season friendly.

The West Yorkshire side, who won the Northern Premier League Division One East last season, scoed twice in the first half.

But an improved second-half performance saw the Steelmen score twice in the last quarter of the game to claim a draw.

Liversedge took the lead in the 20th minute with the first real chance of the game. A corner came in from the left and big centre-back Jack Steers rose highest in the penalty area to head into the top corner.

Consett were finding it hard to create much against big, well-drilled opponents, and the home side doubled their lead in the 40th minute. Keeper Mark Foden made a good save from Wilson, but Jack Steers was first to the rebound to notch his second goal of the game.

Two minutes later it should have been three when the trialist No 17 turned his man superbly and teed up Wilson, but the No 11 somehow missed the target with the goal at his mercy.

Consett made two changes for the second half, bringing on Darren Holden and Ben Milburn for Kieren Aplin and Mark McLeod, and they grew into the game, though Foden made a good save with his feet from a Liversedge sub to keep them in it.

Consett got a goal back in the 68th minute when Declan Bisset hit a hopeful effort towards the back post which looked like a cross rather than a shot, but it dipped over the keeper and ended up in the far corner.

On 80 minutes Holden whipped in a great cross from the left and when it was only half cleared, Cyril Giraud was on hand to fire home from the edge of the box.

Four minutes from the end Consett had the chance to pull off an unlikely win whern another Holden cross picked out Matty Slocombe, whose volleyed effort went to Dan Marriott, who couldn’t turn it in.

Attention now turns to next Saturday, when Consett’s season kicks off in earnest when they travel to Goole in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, kick off 3pm.

A limited number of places are available on the official club coach to the game, priced £20, on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact 01207 588886 or call in at the club to book – seats must be paid for in advance.

26/07/202226/07/2022

Consett have to settle for a draw after impressive display v Morpeth

Consett drew their latest friendly 2-2 against Morpeth Town at Belle View Stadium tonight – but the higher-ranked visitors were a little fortunate to claim a draw.

The Steelmen were fired up from the start, and played some excellent football against the Highwaymen, who finished 10th in the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division last season.

The opening goal came in the 11th minute, when Declan Bisset fed the ball out to Adam Mitchell on the left.

The No 10 cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot, which Morpeth keeper Dan Lowson did well to save. But Consett’s Cyril Giraud was first to the loose ball to fire home from close range, pictured below.

Two minutes later the lead was almost doubled when a ball from the right found Colin Larkin, whose thunderous volley brought a great save out of Lowson.

But on 21 minutes a mistake at the back handed Morpeth an equaliser when the home side gave away possession cheaply, and Ryan Donaldson ran through to slot past the exposed Ross Coombe to make it 1-1.

Giraud went close with a header and skipper-for-the-night Jake Orrell had a shot blocked as Consett sought to regain their lead.

As half-time approached it was Consett who looked more likely to score, with Lowson making another good save from Mitchell, after great work down the left by Kieren Aplin.

Morpeth hadn’t shown much as an attacking force in the first half, but Coombe had to be alert in the 52nd minute to make a good save low down from Jack Foalle.

Aplin rolled an effort wide of the far post and Orrell fired a snapshot just wide as Consett continued to enjoy the upper hand, and they got the goal they deserved in the 67th minute.

Karl Byrne beat his man down the flank and crossed for Colin Larkin, who beat Lowson to the ball and was promptly wiped out by the keeper. The No 9 picked himself up to tuck away the resulting penalty to make it 2-1.

Larkin went close as Consett looked to increase their lead, and Orrell saw another shot saved by Lowson after more good work by Byrne.

At the other end Morpeth’s Dale Pearson, returning to his old stomping ground, had a close-range shot blocked and sub Bailey Geliher forced a low save from Coombe.

But in the 86th minute the Highwaymen stole a goal after a defensive error from Byrne, who inexplicably played the ball right across his own box, gifting Jack Foalle an easy finish.

It was an equaliser Morpeth scarcely deserved, as their keeper had made a string of fine saves, compared to a couple of fairly routine stops by his home counterpart.

Neither side was able to find a winner in the closing minutes, but no one in the 178 crowd was complaining after a highly entertaining pre-season encounter.