Tag: FA Vase

mark foden

Mark Foden signs for Consett after Kyle Hayes announces his departure

Mark Foden, who played against Consett at Wembley, has signed for the club after long-serving goalkeeper Kyle Hayes announced he is leaving.

Kyle, who has been at Belle View for four and a half years, informed the club this week that he is unable to commit to playing in the Northern Premier League for personal reasons.

He made 169 appearances for the club, including the delayed 2020 FA Vase final at Wembley, where Mark Foden was his opposite number in the Hebburn Town goal!

A key member of our Durham Challenge Cup-winning side of 2018, Kyle also made a reputation for himself as a penalty taker as well as saver!

hayes
Kyle Hayes pictured with his son after Consett won promotion at Histon. Pic: Gary Welford.

Chairman Frank Bell said: “We are sorry to lose Kyle, who has been our goalkeeper for the last four years, but personal circumstances mean he cannot commit to the extra demands of the Northern Premier League.

“We are very grateful to Kyle for his loyalty, and for some vital saves, especially the one in the 98th minute at Histon in the game which won us promotion. Thank you and good luck to him and his family.”

Mark Foden is 26 and comes from Glasgow. He came up through the youth ranks at Hartlepool United before joining Ross County, and having loan spells at Stirling Albion and Stenhousemuir.

mark foden
Mark Foden played twice for Consett on loan from Blyth Spartans in 2019. Pic: Gary Welford.

After a season at Gateshead he had a spell out of the game before joining Blyth Spartans in March 2019.

After playing two games on loan at Consett early in the 2019-20 season to cover for Kyle’s absence on holiday he joined Hebburn Town permanently, and became their first-choice keeper.

He played against Consett in the FA Vase final at Wembley, and was promoted to the Northern Premier League with Hebburn at the end of the 2020-21 season.

fa vase final
Ali Alshabeeb rounds Mark Foden to open the scoring in the FA Vase final. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

He missed only one NPL game last season, but was released at the end of his contract in the summer when a new manager came in.

Manager Andy Coyles said: “Mark has lots of experience at higher levels, including spending last season in the NPL with Hebburn. He’s looked good in training, and is looking forward to showing us what he has to offer.”

north shields

Consett’s top-two showdown at North Shields ends in a stalemate

Consett’s Division One game at North Shields, billed by many as a Northern League title decider, ended in a goalless stalemate tonight at the Daren Persson Stadium.

With the visitors 9 points clear of their hosts before kick-off, but the Robins having four games in hand, it was certainly a game which could have had a big bearing on the destination of the championship.

A Consett win would mean matters were back in their own hands, while a North Shields victory would have handed them a big advantage.

It was a game neither side wanted to lose, but nobody did enough to win it either, and the outcome was a 0-0 draw in front of a tense 569 crowd.

The first attempt on goal didn’t arrive until the 30th minute, when Shields centre-back Jack Walker’s header was gathered easily by Consett keeper Kyle Hayes.

At the other end, Calvin Smith had an effort easily saved, while Scott Heslop headed a half chance wide, as the two teams largely cancelled each other out.

The main talking point of the first half was the referee’s decision not to send off Shields midfielder Cam Cunningham for what appeared to be a stamp on Matty Slocombe, showing just a yellow card instead.

The game briefly burst into life around the hour mark, when Calvin Smith was well-placed to clear David Robinson’s header off the line, and Cunningham fired the loose ball just over the bar.

At the other end Darren Holden’s excellent cross from the left created Consett’s best chance of the game, but Heslop’s weak header was straight at the keeper.

Shields made a big penalty appeal as top scorer Dan Wilson went to ground, but the decision was a free-kick the other way.

On 75 minutes Consett brought on David Dowson, who has just re-signed after leaving West Auckland, and within a minute he had been booked for what Shields claimed was an elbow on Walker.

Even five minutes of added time at the end of the game wasn’t enough for either side to find a goal, but everyone in the bumper crowd seemed to agree that a draw was a fair result.

football writers

Consett pick up a Football Writers’ Association award for their FA Vase exploits

Consett have been recognised by the region’s football writers for making club history by reaching the 2020 FA Vase final.

The North East Football Writers’ Association (FWA) held its awards dinner last night at Ramside Hall in Durham, and the club received an award, as did our Wembley opponents Hebburn Town.

Consett AFC chairman Frank Bell and his Hebburn counterpart Vin Pearson took to the stage together to receive awards recognising their clubs’ part in helping non-league football in the region thrive.

The game on 3 May last year was a wonderful advert for the Northern League, ending 3-2 to Hebburn after Consett twice took the lead.

As well as recognising the clubs’ achievements on the field, the awards recognised the part they played during the Covid-19 pandemic, helping their local communities and supporting the NHS.

Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Hartlepool United were all represented, with the Magpies’ joint-owner Amanda Staveley collecting Allan Saint-Maximin’s award as North East FWA Player of the Year. Middlesbrough’s Jonny Howson won the 2020 award.

Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara received the Personality of the Year award for 2021, while Sunderland AFC’s Luke O’Nien picked up the 2020 award, after last year’s dinner was cancelled.

Durham Women duo Beth Hepple and Sarah Robson received the FWA Women’s Player of the Year awards for 2020 and 2021 respectively.

There were other awards for Hartlepool United, their captain Anthony Sweeney, Middlesbrough’s Marcus Tavernier, Sunderland’s Dan Neil, ex-Black Cats player and long-serving kitman John Cooke, and awards organiser Colin Young.

Funds raised on the night were donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which has raised over £16m to benefit cancer patients in the North East and Cumbria and plays a significant role in the international fight against the disease.

  • Thanks to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for the picture of Frank Bell and Vin Pearson.

wythenshawe

Ten-man Consett bow out of the FA Vase to agonising late goal

Favourites Consett crashed out of this season’s FA Vase, losing 2-1 to Wythenshawe Town in the 4th Round on an afternoon of drama at Belle View.

They took an early lead, played most of the second half with 10 men, and then conceded a late goal which gave the impressive visitors the win.

Jake Orrell got the Steelmen off to the perfect start after just three minutes, picking up a loose ball outside the box, taking aim, and dispatching a superb strike into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.

On eight minutes they almost doubled their lead when Luke Carr went on a run which took him past three defenders, and his effort had to be tipped over the bar by the keeper.

Wythenshawe – who Consett beat on their way to the 2020 final – served notice that they were much more of an attacking force this time round when Brad Byrne hit the post with a header on 15 minutes.

Consett keeper Kyle Hayes then denied the same player with his feet, before Consett had a great chance at the other end, as Dale Pearson volleyed over from Darren Holden’s whipped-in cross.

With little to choose between the sides, it remained 1-0 at the break, but the tie swung Wythenshawe’s way on 51 minutes when Consett’s Matty Slocombe was shown a straight red card for an elbow.

The player going down holding his face didn’t help, and nor did most of the visiting team surrounding the referee, but the incident gave the official a decision to make, and he made it.

Wythenshawe took advantage of their extra man by scoring an equaliser on 62 minutes, half-time sub Ionut Casian Anghel heading home from an excellent right-wing cross.

The visitors were dominating possession, but Consett defended well, and on the odd occasion that Wythenshawe found a way through, they couldn’t find a way past Hayes.

He saved well from Dominic Smalley, then produced an even better stop from Steven Hewitt, flinging himself to his right to keep out his well-struck effort.

Consett were struggling to get out of their own half, and it took until the 85th minute for the 10 men to produce an attempt on goal, sub Nick Allen firing wide when a corner was half-cleared to him on the edge of the box.

The incessant pressure on the Consett goal finally told in the 90th minute, when, with the game looking like it was heading for penalties, Wythenshawe grabbed a winner.

Consett lost possession in the middle of the field, Byrne’s pass sent Matty Bryan away down the right, and his cross picked out Darius Palma at the back post. He brought it down and fired home to make it 2-1 and end Consett’s brave resistance.

When the final whistle went after seven added minutes it was Wythenshawe celebrating a place in the last 16 with their supporters, after claiming their third Northern League scalp in their best-ever FA Vase run.

durham challenge cup

Consett into last 16 after Tow Law forfeit Durham Challenge Cup tie

Consett are through to the last 16 of the Durham Challenge Cup without kicking a ball after Tow Law Town forfeited tonight’s scheduled Durham Challenge Cup tie.

The 1st Round game was due to take place at their Ironworks Road ground tonight with a 7.30pm kick-off, but it has been cancelled after Tow Law said they had problems raising a team.

Remarkably, Consett have progressed to the 2nd Round without playing a game, as Durham City did the same the day before our scheduled Preliminary Round tie.

The draw for the next round has yet to take place, as most of the 1st Round ties are being played tonight and tomorrow.

The postponement means Consett’s next game – and their last of 2021 – will be this Saturday, 18 December, when we take on Newcastle Benfield at Belle View with a 3pm kick-off as we bid to extend our lead at the top of Northern League Division One.

Benfield parted company with manager Stuart Elliott after our 4-0 success in the FA Vase at Sam Smith’s Park at the weekend, and are inviting applications for his successor.

Consett face rematch with Wythenshawe Town in FA Vase 4th Round

Consett were today handed a home tie in the FA Vase 4th Round draw – against Wythenshawe Town, who we beat on our way to Wembley for the 2019-20 final.

The game will take place at Belle View Stadium on Saturday 15 January 2022, with a 3pm kick-off. We are the third Northern League opponents they will have faced in this year’s competition.

Wythenshawe are fourth in the North West Counties League Premier Division, and beat Billingham Synthonia 3-0 in the 3rd Round at the weekend.

They started this season’s competition with a 6-0 win over Litherland REMYCA in the 1st Qualifying Round, then beat Bacup Borough 3-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

In the 1st Round they beat Seaham Red Star 4-3 on penalties, after a 0-0 draw, and in the 2nd Round they beat Holker Old Boys 3-0.

Our 3rd Round meeting in 2019-20 resulted in a 1-1 draw at Wythenshawe, and the FA ordered that the game be replayed at our ground due to our opponents fielding an ineligible player.

The replayed game saw Consett edge through 1-0 thanks to a stunning late strike by Dale Pearson, which sparked the celebrations pictured top.

Consett beat Benfield to reach last 32 of FA Vase

Consett will be in Monday’s FA Vase 4th Round draw after an excellent performance saw them win 4-0 today at fellow Northern League club Newcastle Benfield.

Interim manager Andy Coyles was without the services of six players, and had to name two of the club’s U19s, David Richardson and Kieran Scott, among his substitutes.

But the Steelmen made light of the absentees with a performance which saw them dominate the game from start to finish.

They went ahead after just five minutes, when Jake Orrell’s pass sent Colin Larkin clear, and the veteran striker made it 1-0 by lobbing the onrushing keeper from 12 yards.

On 20 minutes Consett should have doubled their advantage when Luke Carr’s deep free-kick found Calvin Smith unmarked at the back post, but he put his header wide.

But on 26 minutes it was 2-0, when Colin Larkin took a pass from Olly Scott and fired into the corner, pictured below, despite the attentions of two defenders.

Two minutes before half-time the Steelmen grabbed a third goal, as skipper Arjun Purewal scored with a glancing header from Orrell’s left-wing corner.

A minute into the second half another Orrell inswinger caused chaos in the six-yard box, but Benfield managed to hack the ball off the line before Consett could force it home.

The game was wrapped up in the 72nd minute when Carr danced through a few challenges and forced a good save from the keeper, only for the rebound to fall to top scorer Dale Pearson, who blasted home his 19th goal of the season, pictured below.

Four minutes from the end Consett almost had a fifth when the outstanding Orrell ran through on goal, but he was denied by a fine stop by keeper Alfie Gordon.

They will be joined in Monday’s draw by fellow Northern League club North Shields, who won 3-2 at Barton Rovers, but Billingham Synthonia are out, beaten 3-0 at Wythenshawe Town.

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

Consett draw Benfield away in the FA Vase + other fixture changes

Consett were today drawn away to fellow Northern League side Newcastle Benfield in the 3rd Round of the Buildbase FA Vase.

The tie will take place at Sam Smith’s Park, where Consett have already won 4-2 in the league this season, at 3pm on Saturday 11 December.

Our continued involvement in the competition means our scheduled Northern League fixture away at Bishop Auckland on that date has had to be rescheduled.

We will now visit Heritage Park at 3pm on Saturday 19 March 2022, while the away game at North Shields, which was due on that date, will now take place four days later.

Additionally, our home game against Northallerton Town – which was put back a week to 27 November due to our involvement in the FA Vase – has been rearranged again, due to work taking place at Belle View Stadium.

It will now be played on Saturday 9 April 2022, which means our next home game will be the visit from Whickham on Friday 3 December, kick-off 7.30pm.

Before then we travel to West Allotment Celtic on Tuesday 23 November, for a 7.30pm KO. Supporters are reminded that they no longer play at Blue Flames.

They are now based at East Palmersville Sports Pavilion (NE12 9HF), where they groundshare with Northern Alliance club Forest Hall.

Consett hold their nerve to make FA Vase progress with penalty shootout win at Thornaby

Consett will be in Monday’s draw for the FA Vase 3rd Round after a dramatic penalty shootout win at Thornaby this afternoon.

Dale Pearson was the Steelmen’s hero, scoring the decisive kick to give them a 4-3 win after a 1-1 stalemate during the 90 minutes.

Terry Mitchell’s side also had to change goalkeepers at half-time and played the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Matty Slocombe was dismissed for a second yellow card.

It was a game of few clear-cut chances, and Thornaby took the lead on 32 minutes with their first attempt on goal.

A diagonal ball found Cyril Giraud, who cut in from the left, beat his man and finished low past Kyle Hayes.

There was an anxious few minutes for the visitors when their goalkeeper needed extensive treatment after colliding with the goalpost in the 39th minute, but he was able to continue.

His team levelled a minute before the break with the best move of the game, as Dale Pearson’s cross from the left picked out Colin Larkin‘s run perfectly, for a first-time finish from six yards, pictured below.

Colin Larkin makes it 1-1 from Dale Pearson’s inch-perfect cross. Pic: Gary Welford.

Hayes was unable to continue for the second half, and was replaced in goal by Ross Coombe, but there was little change to the pattern of the game, with neither keeper having to make a save.

The tide seemed to turn against Consett when Slocombe was dismissed in the 71st minute fafter picking uip a second yellow card.

But the 10 men managed to see out the game, and even created a couple of half-chances to avoid the penalty shootout which had looked inevitable all afternoon.

The shootout got off to a dramatic start when Thornaby’s Craig Hutchinson put his effort over the bar, and Consett right-back Jermaine Metz saw his kick saved by Josh Mazfari.

Elliott Beddow, Cyril Giraud and James Frazer scored Thornaby’s next three attempts, with Luke Carr, Olly Scott and Darren Holden doing likewise for Consett.

But when Thornaby missed their fifth kick, the pendulum swung Consett’s way, and Dale Pearson held his nerve to fire home, and give the Steelmen a 4-3 win on pens.

They will be joined in Monday’s draw by fellow Northern League clubs Newcastle Benfield, North Shields (who also needed a penalty shootout to beat North Ferriby), and Billingham Synthonia, who pulled off the shock of the round, beating highly-fancied West Auckland.

thornaby

Consett face trip to Thornaby in FA Vase 2nd Round

Consett were today handed a trip to fellow Northern League side Thornaby in the FA Vase 2nd Round.

The Teessiders have been one of the leading group of clubs this season, and drew 2-2 at Belle View back in August.

Our most recent game at Thornaby was in January 2020, pictured, when we won 5-0 in a Division One game which was our first visit to Teesdale Park for 15 years.

The clubs have never met in the FA Vase. The game will be played on Saturday, 20 November, with a 3pm kick-off.

The rest of the draw as it involves Northern League clubs is as follows:

AFC Liverpool v Redcar Town

Newcastle Benfield v Emley

Carlisle City v Abbey Hey

North Shields v North Ferriby

Bury AFC v Birtley Town

Billingham Synthonia v West Auckland

Our progress in the FA Vase game means two of our Northern League fixtures have been rescheduled.

The home match against Northallerton Town, which was on Saturday, 20 November, will now be played on Saturday, 27 November.

The away game at West Allotment Celtic, which was on Saturday, 27 November, will now take place on Tuesday, 23 November, with a 7.30pm kick-off.