Tag: karl byrne

long eaton

Consett’s problems pile up after a home defeat by in-form Long Eaton United

Consett slumped to their third defeat in their last four games at the hands of the division’s most in-form side.

Long Eaton United had won their last five games, and made it six in a row with a convincing win at a chilly Belle View.

Manager Tony Fawcett was again without a host of players, even though he welcomed back Ross Coombe, Josh Baggs and Jake Orrell.

With Mark Foden joining Calvin Smith and Matty Slocombe on the sidelines through suspension, and Charlie Exley added to a long-term injury list which already included Kieren Aplin, Zak Atkinson, Karl Byrne and Mark McLeod, the Steelmen were again missing eight players.

This meant places on the bench for two new signings, the unattached Henry Dorward, who has previously played for Whitley Bay and Sunderland RCA, and Nathan Lawrence, who’s rejoined Consett for a third spell from RCA.

The visitors started well, and their top scorer Jamie Walker had a chance to put them ahead on three minutes after beating the offside trap, but was denied by a fine double save by Coombe.

On-loan Blyth Spartans midfielder Danny Barlow almost gave Consett the lead on seven minutes when Jake Orrell’s pass sent him through on goal, but Sam Wilson saved at his feet, pictured top.

A minute later the keeper denied Barlow again when he cut in from the right and fired goalwards, saving down low at his near post.

Long Eaton took the lead on 10 minutes when wing-back Ashaiah Fearon, on loan from Notts County, flicked the ball on for Tom Cursons, who ran through on goal, despite strong Consett appeals for handball, and slotted home.

Consett suffered a big blow on 18 minutes when Dan Capewell, one of their outstanding players this season, limped off with a hamstring injury.

Consett centre-back Dan Capewell goes down with a hamstring injury.

The reshuffle which followed saw skipper Arjun Purewal move from left-back to centre-back, Adam Mitchell switch from midfield to left-back, and Dorward come into the middle for his debut.

On 21 minutes Long Eaton went close to doubling their lead when Fearon cut in from the right and got off a show which hit the outside of the post.

Seven minutes later they were awarded a free-kick 22 yards out and Tom Marshall sent a curling effort not too far wide of the left-hand post.

Two minutes before the break Jake Orrell had a chance for Consett, but Wilson made a comfortable save down low, and right on half-time Mitchell’s cross from the left found Dorward, who couldn’t steer his header on target.

Half-time: Consett 0 Long Eaton United 1

Consett’s teenage striker Oscar Taylor had looked an isolated figure up front at times, so it was little surprise when Scott Fenwick, despite not being fully fit, came on for the second half in place of midfielder Daniel Smith.

Five minutes into the second half the Steelmen had a chance to level when excellent work by Orrell saw him get to the byline and set up Taylor, but the No 9’s flicked effort was blocked, as was Fenwick’s follow-up.

It was a bright start to the half, but on 58 minutes it was 2-0 to Long Eaton when Cursons drilled the ball across goal from the left for Alex Marshall to finish from close range.

Mitchell had a chance to score his first goal for the club just before the hour when he arrived late at the back post, but was leaning back as he struck his shot and it ballooned over the bar.

A few minutes later Dorward had a chance to make his mark when he was played in, but he shot straight at the keeper from 20 yards when he maybe had time to take a touch and get closer to goal.

Henry Dorward had a chance to make his mark on his debut.

Long Eaton were making plenty of half-chances, and sub Jack Rogers had a clear opportunity to increase their lead on 71 minutes, but screwed his effort wide.

Orrell was at the centre of most of Consett’s good moves, and on 75 minutes his cross picked out Fenwick, but the big striker was stretching to meet the ball, and headed just over the bar.

Three minutes later Long Eaton ended any faint hopes of a Consett comeback when they scored a third goal. The home side failed to deal with Larell King’s long throw, and Ashaiah Fearon lashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Consett’s response was to throw on another substitute, with Reserves captain Kieran Scott coming on for Taylor for his first-team debut.

Consett Reserves captain Kieran Scott made his first-team debut.

And although Consett huffed and puffed, with the impressive Barlow firing into the side netting from 20 yards, they couldn’t muster a consolation goal to give the final scoreline a less brutal look.

What they did pick up was a last-minute yellow card for Ben Milburn, which takes him to 10 bookings for the season and a two-game suspension.

bisset

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.

shildon

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.
shildon

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.

pontefract

Consett pick up an excellent away point with a battling performance at Pontefract Collieries

Consett picked up their first away point in the Northern Premier League tonight after surviving a 90-minute aerial bombardment at Pontefract Collieries.

In a hard-fought game featuring eight cautions, Jake Orrell gave Consett the lead with his second goal in four days midway through the first half.

The Steelmen defended for their lives, but the home side’s incessant long-ball tactics eventually paid off when Adam Priestley levelled in the 69th minute.

Consett should have taken the lead in the ninth minute when Zak Atkinson was played in on goal, but saw his shot saved by Lloyd Allinson. The ball rebounded back to the No 9, but his follow-up was also saved by the keeper.

On 13 minutes Consett had the ball in the Pontefract net when Atkinson headed home from Kieren Aplin’s left-wing cross, but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside.

On 22 minutes the Steelmen took the lead with a fine move. Byrne played the ball down the line to Holden, whose cross picked out Jake Orrell’s run into the box, and he finished first time past Lloyd Allinson to make it 1-0, pictured top.

On the half hour Consett had a narrow escape as James Baxendale hit a cross-shot against the bar, and there was an even closer call when the ball seemed to hit skipper Matty Slocombe’s hand as he blocked a shot, but again the referee was unmoved.

Ross Coombe made a string of fine saves for Consett, and their defence stood firm until the 69th minute, when Dan Capewell, who’d been magnificent all night, missed a long punt downfield from the keeper. Gavin Allott flicked on and Adam Priestley ran through and scored on the half-volley to make it 1-1.

In previous seasons Consett might have crumbled under the sort of pressure they faced here, but this side is made of sterner stuff, and when the final whistle blew they had earned a very good away point.

  • Full match report and more pictures HERE.
morpeth

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.

morpeth
Cyril Giraud (partly hidden) opens the scoring for Consett against Morpeth. Pic: Gary Welford.

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.

morpeth
Colin Larkin restores Consett’s lead from the spot after being flattened by the Morpeth keeper. Pic: Gary Welford.

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.

west auckland

Consett’s winning run comes to an end as West Auckland are saved by the woodwork

Consett’s winning run against Northern League opponents came to an end today when they lost 2-0 at home to West Auckland Town in their latest pre-season friendly.

The visitors, who will be one of the favourites for promotion this season, scored a goal in each half in a full-blooded Belle View encounter in front of 204 spectators.

Skipper Matty Slocombe in particular seemed to relish the midfield battle, exchanging some crunching challenges.

The Steelmen named just four of the starting XI from the game v Whitley Bay on Thursday night. One of them was Adam Mitchell, who was facing his old club, while the visitors’ line-up included Scott Heslop, who swapped Consett for West in the summer.

Consett found themselves behind after just four minutes, when West left-back Andre Bennett played in Cieran Jackson, who fired across keeper Mark Foden into the far corner.

It was half an hour before Consett had a chance of note, when Cyril Giraud turned his marker inside out and saw his shot blocked, and Karl Byrne fired the rebound wide after cleverly teeing himself up.

Danny Craggs had a chance to level with one of his trademark free-kicks in the 34th minute, but his effort from 22 yards was just too high.

A minute before half-time Leon Scott’s first-time shot from a right-wing cross hit the post, and West, who’d had the better of the play, went into the break 1-0 to the good.

Eight minutes into the second half they doubled their lead in slightly fortuitous circumstances. Corey Nicholson’s ball in from the right found Charlie Hindson, and Foden saved his initial effort well, but the ball bounced back off the forward and fell kindly for him to make it 2-0 with a tap-in.

On 64 minutes Consett could count themselves unlucky not to reduce the arrears when Byrne collected a crossfield ball, cut inside and curled a shot past West keeper Jordan Harkess, but saw it clip the base of the post and spin out, pictured top.

On 84 minutes the home side were again denied by the woodwork, when Adam Mitchell’s free-kick hit the post, struck the diving Harkess on the back, and was inching towards the goal when the keeper recovered in time to stop it crossing the line.

After a disappointing first half the Steelmen were much improved after the break, and could perhaps count themselves unlucky not to have got a draw against a very strong West team who kick off their league season next week.

  • Full match report and more pictures HERE.
northallerton

Consett continue pre-season build-up with a win over Northallerton at baking hot Belle View

Consett’s pre-season preparations took another positive step forward as they recorded a 2-0 victory against Northern League First Division side Northallerton at a baking hot Belle View.

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