Tag: declan bisset

03/12/202203/12/2022

Consett pick up a good point in a battling draw at Grimsby Borough

Consett were denied a first win in 13 games when they conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Grimsby Borough today.

The Steelmen were missing nine players, but made light of it with a battling performance against a side who are unbeaten in their last seven games.

After a dour first half, the home side took the lead on 43 minutes when George Horrocks finished at the back post from a low Tom Sawyer cross.

Consett levelled on 56 minutes when Kieren Aplin latched onto a Scott Fenwick flick and kept his nerve to finish.

They took the lead on 72 minutes when Declan Bisset’s pass sent Scott Fenwick away, pictured above, and he outpaced his man to beat the keeper at the near post from an acute angle for his first goal for the club.

Aplin missed a chance to put Consett 3-1 up, and Borough equalised five minutes later when sub Edwin Essel netted from Adam Drury’s cross.

Fenwick had a chance to steal the points for Consett at the death, but keeper Liam Higton made a great save to ensure it ended honours even.

Full match report and more pictures HERE.

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.

15/10/202216/10/2022

Consett pay the price for defensive lapses as they are beaten at home by Bridlington

Consett were the better side for the third time in three meetings with Bridlington Town today – and for the third time they tasted defeat.

The Seasiders, who needed a last-minute goal on the final day of last season to avoid relegation, took their chances when it mattered to leave Belle View with a 3-2 win – the same scoreline by which they won at Consett in the FA Cup the previous season.

The Steelmen made a positive start to the game, and had a ‘goal’ ruled out for offside on 10 minutes, but two minutes later the visitors took the lead. Mark Broadley picked up the ball in midfield and beat a couple of men before firing into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

Consett enjoyed a lot of possession as the half wore on, forcing a series of corners and creating a few half-chances, and few could argue that they deserved their equaliser in the 42nd minute.

After some good work down the left by Evan Horwood he slipped the ball to Jake Orrell, whose pinpoint cross picked out Zak Atkinson to head home from 10 yards for his fourth goal of the season, pictured below.

**Consett striker Zak Atkinson wheels away after his header made it 1-1. Pic: Kenny Taylor.**

The score remained 1-1 at half-time, though Consett had a let-off in injury time when a header from Jack Bulless was cleared by Ben Milburn, with Bridlington claiming it had crossed the line.

Consett started the second half on the front foot, and in the 49th minute Orrell brought the best save of the game from keeper James Hitchcock, when he unleashed a well-struck effort from 25 yards.

Bridlington took the lead for the second time on 77 minutes when Consett keeper Mark Foden came for a left-wing corner through a crowd of bodies but couldn’t reach the ball, leaving Jack Bulless with a simple header to make it 2-1.

Six minutes later it was 3-1, and again Foden came under scrutiny. Coming for another corner, this time he reached the ball, but his punch was weak and fell straight to right-back Benn Lewis, who fired it straight back past him to put Town in the driving seat.

Substitute Declan Bisset gave Consett hope in the 89th minute when his 25-yarder from Atkinson’s knockdown beat the keeper with the help of a big deflection off a defender, pictured below.

**Declan Bisset’s late goal makes it 2-3 and gives Consett hope. Pic: Stephen Finch.**

The game ended in controversy when, with five minutes of time added and Consett pushing hard for an equaliser, Hitchcock claimed he’d been kicked in the head by the following-in Kieren Aplin.

The Consett man protested his innocence, but the referee decided it was a yellow card, and precious seconds were wasted by the keeper’s flagrant time-wasting.

When the final whistle went the keeper’s over-the-top celebrations in front of supporters behind the goal did nothing to endear him to the Consett faithful.

This and other results saw Bridlington leapfrog Consett to go fourth in the table, while the Steelmen dropped three places to sixth, just outside the play-off positions.

Full match report and more pictures HERE.

11/10/202211/10/2022

Cool-headed Dec sends Consett through in penalty shootout win over West Auckland

Teenage midfielder Declan Bisset was Consett’s matchwinner tonight when he slotted away the final penalty in a shootout to give the Steelmen a Durham Challenge Cup win over West Auckland Town.

When 90 minutes couldn’t separate the sides, who were locked at 1-1, it all came down to who could keep their nerve from 12 yards to decide the 1st Round tie at Belle View Stadium.

Bisset – at 18 the youngest player on the pitch – took the final kick, and confidently tucked it in the bottom corner, pictured top, to take Consett through on penalties.

It was a nail-biting way to end a match which could have gone either way as the two old rivals slugged it out.

But young Bisset wasn’t the only Consett hero on the night; they were grateful to Lewis Green for getting them back in the game three minutes into the second half with a neat finish after Jake Orrell’s initial effort was blocked.

**Lewis Green, centre, is congratulated by Colin Larkin and Matty Slocombe. Pic: Gary Welford.**

And goalkeeper Mark Foden made a couple of good saves to keep West at bay in normal time, and another in the shootout.

The first half was one of few chances, but the visitors took the lead a minute before the break through ex-Consett striker Scott Heslop, who’d already fired one effort wide and seen another tipped over by Foden.

Consett were much improved in the second half, and Orrell had a great chance to put them ahead in the 65th minute when Calvin Smith’s cross picked him out, but his half-volley flashed just wide.

**Jake Orrell shoots just wide from Calvin Smith’s cross. Pic: Gary Welford.**

Midway through the half the game descended into a succession of bookings, with six players picking up yellow cards – three from each side – as the previously lenient referee lost his patience.

As the game headed into injury time Consett had a big penalty shout turned down when Adam Mitchell – playing against his old club – went down under challenge from Danni Lay, and West keeper Matty Wilkinson made a good save from Bisset.

**Consett’s penalty shootout heroes Mark Foden and Declan Bisset. Pic: Gary Welford.**

Penalties it was then, and when both sides scored their first three you wondered whose will would break first.

It was West, as Jordan Blinco saw his effort saved by Foden, only for Karl Byrne to spurn the opportunity to put Consett ahead by blazing his kick over.

**Consett keeper Mark Foden saves Jordan Blinco’s shootout penalty. Pic: Kenny Taylor.**

Another Consett old boy, Jake Stafford, took West’s fifth kick, which hit the crossbar and looped over, opening the way for cool-headed Declan Bisset to coolly step up and win the game 4-3 on penalties.

Full match report and more pictures to follow.

13/09/202213/09/2022

Consett beat Shildon for the second time in a week to make FA Trophy progress for the first time in 28 years

A superb Colin Larkin header gave Consett a 2-1 win at Shildon to progress to the next round as they contested an FA Trophy tie for the first time since 1994.

The Steelmen won at Dean Street in the league last week and did it again tonight to secure an away trip to Lancashire side Colne in the next round of the national cup competition.

Consett now play in the FA Trophy instead of the FA Vase following promotion to the Northern Premier League.

Skipper-for-the-night Jake Orrell gave Consett the lead in the 22nd minute, firing home the rebound from close range, pictured below, after Karl Byrne’s shot proved too hot for Shildon keeper Matthew Bateman to handle.

Colin Larkin should have doubled the lead a minute before half-time when centre-back Dan Capewell’s pass sent him through on goal, but Bateman stood up well to save, and it remained 1-0 at the break.

Six minutes into the second half it was all-square when Shildon’s top scorer Dean Thexton made it 1-1, reacting first to a rebound.

But on 58 minutes Consett went back in front when Declan Bisset’s delightful cross from the left picked out veteran striker Colin Larkin, who expertly steered a header beyond Bateman into the far corner, pictured top.

On 67 minutes the Steelmen thought they had a third goal when Capewell headed in from a corner, but it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper.

A minute later Bateman made a fine fingertip save from Byrne’s curling effort from 20 yards as the visitors sought a clinching goal.

But it took a superb recovery tackle by Capewell at the other end to prevent ex-Consett striker Michael Sweet from rolling the ball into an empty net after he caught keeper Mark Foden in possession.

Orrell and Byrne both had chances to give the final scoreline a more convincing look, but Consett held on to secure an away tie on Saturday 24 September with NPL Division One West side Colne, who won 2-1 tonight at Bridlington Town.

Full match report and more pictures to follow.

27/08/202227/08/2022

Consett starting to get into their stride as they hit Carlton Town for five

Consett recorded an excellent Northern Premier League win today against Carlton Town, who headed home from Belle View Stadium on the wrong end of a 5-0 drubbing.

The visitors from Nottinghamshire finished sixth in the NPL Division One Midlands last season before being switched by the FA to the East division in the summer.

They must have wished they’d stayed there after coming up against a Consett team who are really starting to find their feet in their new surroundings.

Lewis Green set the Steelmen on their way in the 20th with a crisp volleyed finish, pictured below, from Darren Holden’s left-wing cross.

On 26 minutes the lead was doubled when Karl Byrne ‘s pass sent Kieren Aplin running through, and despite the attentions of a defender he finished from 15 yards to make it 2-0, pictured below.

Consett keeper Ross Coombe made an important save in the 57th minute, to deny visiting skipper Nathan Watson and deny the Millers a lifeline back into the game.

Four minutes later the points were as good as Consett’s when Carlton left-back Niall Hylton handled on the goal-line and was shown a straight red card.

The penalty was neatly tucked away by striker Zak Atkinson, pictured below, who again led the line superbly, never giving the visiting defence a moment’s rest.

Most teams would have been happy with three, but not this Consett side. On 88 minutes Declan Bisset scored his first goal for the club to make it 4-0, with a neat finish, pictured below, from sub Dan Marriott’s pass.

And in the last minute of stoppage time the outstanding Lewis Green made it 5-0, slotting home a precision finish into the bottom corner, pictured below, from another Marriott set up.

It was an excellent win, which could have been even more emphatic, and made it four games without defeat in the Northern premier league.

Full match report and more pictures to follow.

Next up for Consett is a tasty Bank Holiday Monday trip to our old Northern League friends and rivals Dunston. Kick off at the UTS Stadium is 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.

Full report and more pictures to follow.

21/07/202223/07/2022

Consett beat Whitley Bay to make it three pre-season wins in a row

Consett made it three pre-season wins in a row over Northern League opposition tonight as they beat Whitley Bay 2-0 in their latest friendly.

The Seahorses have recruited well under Nick Grey, who took over as manager midway through last season, but the Steelmen scored a goal in each half to claim the win, and a third successive clean sheet.

Andy Coyles’ side have already beaten Birtley Town 8-0 and Northallerton Town 2-0, after losing 4-2 at Berwick Rangers in their first warm-up game.

Zak Atkinson had already had a goal disallowed for offside when Darren Holden gave Consett the lead on 25 minutes, firing home right-footed, pictured top, after a great through ball by Declan Bisset.

Two minutes before the break Bisset looked certain to get his name on the scoresheet when he met a cross from Dan Marriott, but put his header inches wide.

On 56 minutes Marriott almost doubled Consett’s lead with a deft header from Adam Mitchell’s cross, but Bay keeper Dan Lister clawed the ball away.

But he was powerless to stop the hosts make it 2-0 a minute later, with the roles reversed from the first half, as Holden’s right-wing corner picked out Declan Bisset to head home at the far post to make it 2-0.

The usual rash of substitutions saw the game lose some of its momentum in the second half, but the teams served up an entertaining match for the crowd of 203.

25/05/202225/05/2022

Creative midfielder Declan Bisset steps up to the Northern Premier League with Consett

Declan Bisset, one of the Northern League’s most exciting young talents, is to make the step up to the Northern Premier League with Consett.

The creative midfielder, who spent some time in Sunderland’s youth set-up, has agreed terms to become a Steelman for the 2022-23 season.

He has spent the last two seasons at Whickham, making his debut as a 16-year-old, and has just turned 18.

In the 2021-22 season he played 36 games for the Highwaymen, scoring three matchwinning goals and providing four assists.

Good on the ball, he creates openings for others and has the ability to pick a pass.