Tag: marske united

Consett confirm eight-game schedule of pre-season friendlies

Consett AFC can today confirm the club’s full list of pre-season friendlies ahead of our first campaign in The Pitching In Northern Premier League (NPL).

There are eight games in all – five at home and three away – ahead of our NPL Division One East bow on Saturday 13 August.

We will receive our league fixtures at the NPL annual general meeting on Saturday June 11, but in the meantime can confirm the following friendly games:

Chairman Frank Bell said: “We’ve had a couple of late withdrawals, including one in the last 24 hours, which has meant having to find new opponents at short notice.

“But we’re happy to now be able to announce a pre-season programme which we believe will prepare us well as we step up to the Northern Premier League.”

We kick off with our first visit since 2017 to Berwick Rangers, who now play in the Lowland League, and we will also face three Northern League sides.

The first is Birtley Town, which brings a swift reunion with Paul Bryson, pictured below, who helped us to promotion as Andy Coyles’ assistant before recently departing for another of his former clubs.

They are followed by Whitley Bay and West Auckland Town, who are expected to be among the league’s leading sides next season.

We face two regular pre-season opponents in Workington and Morpeth Town, both of which will provide good tests. Workington finished second last season in the NPL Division One West, while Morpeth were 10th in the NPL Premier Division.

The last two opponents will provide very tough tests indeed, particularly as the games are both away from home.

Liversedge were last season’s champions of the NPL division we are joining, while our old Northern League friends Marske were runners-up, and join them in the Premier Division for 2022-23 after securing promotion via the play-offs.

Admission prices for the friendlies, along with matchday charges and season ticket details for our league fixtures, will be announced in due course.

Consett crash out of the FA Cup after being hit for six by impressive Marske

Consett’s seven-game unbeaten start to the season came to a shuddering halt today when they crashed out of the FA Cup, beaten 6-0 at Marske United.

The Northern Premier League side scored three times in each half to send the Steelmen home on the end of a sobering hiding in the 2nd Qualifying Round tie.

It didn’t help Consett that they were missing captain Arjun Purewal (flu) and midfielders Matty Slocombe and Matty Cornish (both injured), but Marske were simply too good for them, all over the pitch.

The hosts paid Consett the respect of turning out a full-strength side, and laid siege to their goal from the start of a game played in pouring rain throughout, forcing a series of early corners.

The closest Consett came to a goal was in the 10th minute, when Jake Orrell’s ball found Jermaine Metz, who lifted the ball over the keeper, but saw it come back off the bar.

Kyle Hayes in the Consett goal was by far the busier keeper and he had made good saves from Matty Tymon, Connor Smith and Adam Boyes before Marske took the lead in the 29th minute.

Midfielder Glen Butterworth picked up possession 20 yards out when Consett failed to clear their lines, and curled a superb shot into the corner to make it 1-0.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 after another mix-up left Adam Boyes to run through and score. And when Butterworth scored again to make it three on 42 minutes, Consett were left with a mountain to climb.

They started the second half brightly, with Luke Carr and Dale Pearson both testing Marske keeper Ryan Catterick.

But on 54 minutes any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Butterworth turned provider for Matty Tymon, who curled a great first-time shot into the corner.

Consett were reeling, and two minutes later found themselves 5-0 down when Hayes was beaten to the ball by Boyes at the edge of his box, with the striker stretching top prod it home.

On 63 minutes it was 6-0 when a cross from the left by Liam O’ Sullivan found Tymon at the back post, and he headed home his second of the game.

It could have been seven, as Boyes again beat Hayes to the ball in a carbon copy of the fifth goal, but this time the referee ruled it out for a foul on the keeper and booked the striker.

When the final whistle went Consett were left to reflect not only on a poor performance, but also on the sort of mistakes they’ll need to cut out if they want to win promotion and compete in the NPL week-in, week-out.

It was Consett’s heaviest defeat in five and a half years (since the 0-7 reverse at Newcastle Benfield in April 2015), and only the second time in their history that Marske have reached the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

  • Full match report and more pictures HERE.

Consett receive an extra allocation of tickets for the FA Cup tie at Marske

Consett have this evening been given an extra allocation of tickets for this weekend’s big FA Cup game at Marske United.

The 2nd Qualifying Round tie at Mount Pleasant at 3pm on Saturday is all-ticket due to a limit on the numbers which can attend due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Our initial allocation of tickets sold out to season ticket holders at Tuesday night’s game against West Auckland.

Now we have been given a small number of additional tickets, which are on general sale now from Belle View. It’s advised to call 01207 588886 as soon as possible, as they’re expected to be snapped up quickly.

They cost £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £3 for children. No physical tickets are being issued, but your name and contafct details will be taken for NHS trace and trace purposes.

Consett AFC Chairman Frank Bell said: “Massive thanks are due to Marske for the additional allocation of tickets, which means more of our supporters will be able to watch the cup tie.”

FA Cup update: Consett ask for more tickets after selling out their allocation for Marske tie

Consett have sold out their allocation of tickets for this weekend’s FA Cup tie at Marske United, within hours of them going on sale.

Season ticket holders were given first option at securing a place at Saturday’s game at Mount Pleasant, which has been made all-ticket due to the limited crowd allowed.

Our initial allocation sold out at last night’s game against West Auckland, and we have already been in touch with Marske requesting extra tickets, so more Consett supporters can attend the game.

Marske have promised us an answer by early on Thursday evening, and we thank them for their co-operation in this matter. Any further allocation will be announced via our social media accounts.

Marske United FA Cup tie – here’s how Consett supporters can get tickets for the big game

Consett have received an allocation of tickets for our FA Cup tie at Marske United on Saturday 3 October.

They are priced £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £3 for under-16s, and Consett season ticket holders will, as usual, be given first option to buy one.

They are on sale from 6pm on Tuesday until 9pm on Wednesday, and any left after that will be put on general sale. Updates will be given via social media.

No actual tickets will be issued, but upon payment your name and contact number will be taken for NHS track and trace purposes. Ticket holders’ names will be on a list at the gate at Mount Pleasant.

Consett drawn away to Northern Premier League side Marske United in the FA Cup

Consett face an awayday in the next round of the FA Cup after we were drawn against Northern Premier League side Marske United.

Our former Northern League rivals were promoted in 2018, after winning the championship for the second time in four years.

They finished comfortably mid-table in their first season at the higher level, and were fifth and still in with a chance of promotion from Division One North West when last season was abandoned.

Like ourselves, Marske have come through three rounds to get to this stage. They beat two Northern League opponents, North Shields 3-0 at home, and Crook Town 2-0 away, before edging past fellow NPL club Trafford 1-0 in midweek.

We have met in the competition once before, in 2013-14 season, when we lost 3-1 at Marske in the Extra Preliminary Round, four days after being beaten by the same scoreline there in a league game.

Our squad contains three survivors from the side on duty that day – Matty Slocombe, Calvin Smith and Michael Mackay. Three of Marske’s side are still with them – Liam O’Sullivan, Adam Wheatley and Glen Butterworth.

The 2nd Qualifying Round game will take place at Mount Pleasant at 3pm on Saturday 3 October. We’ll bring you ticket news as soon as we have it.

The draw as it affects other North East clubs is as follows:

Chorley v Gateshead

Southport v Morpeth Town

Whitley Bay v Blyth Spartans

Ashton United v South Shields

Darlington v Prescot Cables

Bradford Park Avenue v Spennymoor Town

On this day in our history: 7 May 2016 – Consett’s unbeaten run ended by keeper’s inspired display

Consett’s eight-game unbeaten run came to an end when they lost 2-1 to Marske United in a tight game at a misty GER Stadium on this day four years ago.

Manager Mark Eccles made one change to the side which had beaten Morpeth in midweek, with top scorer Michael Sweet returning in place of the unavailable Nathan Steel.

With their confidence high after seven consecutive wins, the Steelmen went on the attack from the start. Skipper Danny Craggs fired a free-kick wide from 30 yards in the first minute, and five minutes later Calvin Smith had a half-chance from Jordan Lavery’s right-wing corner, but hooked the ball over from point-blank range.

Consett midfielder Calvin Smith fires over the bar. Pic: Gary Welford.

It was against the run of play that the home side took the lead on eight minutes. Midfielder Glen Butterworth sprayed the ball out wide to Adam Preston on the right, and he beat his man, got to the byline and pulled the ball back to the edge of the six-yard box, where Marske’s leading scorer Jamie Owens got to it a fraction before Stephen Little to steer it beyond keeper Gareth Young.

Consett’s response was a good one, and it took a combination of keeper Robert Deans and skipper Adam Wheatley to keep out Sweet as he attacked a Jordan Nellis cross from the left at the near post.

On the half-hour Consett’s endeavours paid off when they levelled, with a goal which had an element of good fortune about it. They were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out, and Jordan Lavery curled it goalwards. Luke Sullivan threw himself at the ball, but failed to connect, but its flight deceived everyone, including Dean, and it ended up in the net without touching anyone.

Jordan Lavery’s free-kick deceives everyone to make it 1-1. Pic: Gary Welford.

Marske responded with a spell of pressure which saw them almost take the lead twice. On 35 minutes, Young got lucky when Butterworth’s corner slipped through his hands, but Matty Slocombe cleared off the line at the back post.

A minute later, a deep cross by right-back Lee Brockbank threatened to dip in, but Young tipped it to safety. Four minutes before the break, Dean was called upon at the other end to make a double save from Nellis and Sullivan at his near post, before thwarting the lurking Sweet.

In injury time a mistake by Smith saw him give away possession to Butterworth, who played in Owens, but Young got down well to the striker’s shot.

Stephen Little gets a foot in against Jamie Owens. Pic: Gary Welford.

The first half of the second half was little to write home about as the sides probed for an opening, but Consett almost got their noses in front on 68 minutes when Dean made the first of three superb saves. Lavery sent over another excellent free-kick from the right, and the ball was deflected goalwards by a defender, but Dean somehow managed to turn it over the bar from point-blank range.

On 73 minutes the keeper made just about his only mistake of the game, when his clearance fell straight to Craggs, and the Consett skipper took a few steps forward before unleashing a powerful drive, which the keeper beat away. Then on 78 minutes Smith struck a shot which was heading for the top-right corner until Dean again acrobatically flung himself to divert it away from his goal.

Marske keeper Robert Dean pulls off a great save. Pic: Gary Welford.

The saves were to prove crucial, for on 82 minutes Marske got the goal which would turn out to be the winner. Consett gave away a free-kick on the left, and Butterworth’s delivery picked out Adam Wheatley, who powered home a header which gave Young no chance.

Four minutes later Bythway almost made sure of the points, but Young saved. Consett persevered to the end in a bid to keep their unbeaten run going, but the 2014-15 Northern League champions, who had been dethroned by Shildon in midweek, held on to clinch the win they needed to confirm them as runners-up.

Consett’s Matty Slocombe beats Marske defender Daniel Newby. Pic: Gary Welford.

Marske United: 1 Robert Dean, 2 Lee Brockbank, 3 Daniel Newby, 4 Nathan Mulligan, 5 Shaun Ryder, 6 Adam Wheatley (captain), 7 Adam Preston, 8 Glen Butterworth, 9 Luke Bythway (Sub 12 John Seaton 86), 10 Jamie Owens, 11 Reece Kelly (sub 13 Corey Nicholson). Subs not used: 14 Josh Myers, 15 Danny Brunskill, GK James Briggs.
Consett: 1 Gareth Young, 2 Matty Slocombe, 3 Joe Grant, 4 Stephen Little, 5 Jordan Lavery, 6 Lewis Gibbons, 7 Luke Sullivan, 8 Calvin Smith, 9 Michael Sweet, 10 Danny Craggs (captain), 11 Jordan Nellis. Sub not used: 14 Dan Madden.

On this day in our history: 6 May 2013 – Consett lose to bogey team Marske as they begin their long goodbye to Belle Vue Park

Consett lost 2-1 to one of their bogey sides, Marske United, on this day in 2013, in what they hoped* would be their penultimate game at their crumbling old Belle Vue Park ground.

But they felt they deserved at last a point from this Bank Holiday Monday encounter, which came three days after a long-overdue win at Whitley Bay (featured here).

There was a VIP guest in the shape of North West Durham MP Pat Glass, who was introduced to the teams as she paid a visit to the old ground as the club began a long goodbye which would include games against both Sunderland and Newcastle United.

North West Durham MP Pat Glass met both teams before kick-off. Pic: Pat Glass.

Manager Kenny Lindoe made two changes to the side which had won at Hillheads, with skipper Carl Piecha returning and youngster Kieran Martin making his first start. They took the places of Craig Robson – missing for just the second time this season – and Steven Aiston.

It was Martin, on loan from Sunderland Academy, who had the game’s first chance on two minutes, cutting in from the left but hitting his shot straight at Scott Allison. On 10 minutes top scorer Michael Mackay got his first sight of goal, but his header from Aris Guerin-Lokonga’s cross lacked power and was an easy take for the Marske keeper.

The visitors’ first proper opening came on 18 minutes, when John Alexander found a gap in the Consett defence, and homed in on goal, but Chris Elliott stood up well to pull off a double save at the expense of a corner.

Consett keeper Chris Elliott thwarts Marske striker John Alexander. Pic: Gary Welford.

The Steelmen didn’t heed the warning, however, and seven minutes later Marske were ahead. They were caught napping by a short-corner routine on the left, and captain Adam Wheatley stole in to head home.

On 33 minutes Marske had what they thought was a valid penalty appeal turned down as centre-forward David Onions, who had raced clear of a static back four, went down under challenge from Piecha as he shot, but the referee wasn’t interested.

Two minutes later they had doubled their advantage, however, when Karl Charlton’s ball down the left flank put Alexander in, and he went round the advancing Elliott to finish from an acute angle.

Little else of note happened in the first half, and the interval was reached with Marske 2-0 in front.

Kieran Martin made his first start for Consett. Pic: Gary Welford.

Four minutes into the second half it was almost three, as Alexander got on the wrong side of his marker, and was only thwarted by a brave save by Elliott, who hurt himself in the process, but was OK to continue after treatment.

The game to-ed and fro-ed for a while as Consett patiently sought a way back in, and Marske went more direct in their search of a killer third goal, and there were chances at both ends.

Calvin Smith put a tantalising free-kick across the face of goal which no team-mate could get on the end of, while Elliott denied Onions with a flying save as he tried to catch him out with a lobbed effort.

Calvin Smith on the attack for Consett. Pic: Gary Welford.

Smith hit a 20-yarder just wide, then Alexander put his lob over Elliott just too high after being played in by Charlton. Back at the other end, Martin scuffed a shot just wide, then Smtih was just inches away with a 30-yard free-kick which beat the goalkeeper but also the crossbar.

On 79 minutes Martin, who’d made a lively full debut, came the closest yet to reducing the arrears when he curled an effort just wide from the edge of the box after Guerin-Lokonga won the ball in the air and Andrew Cuthbertson laid it off to him.

Two minutes later Consett went even closer: Mackay reacted quickest when a defender could only head David Brown’s cross up in the air, and was the width of a crossbar away from grabbing his 35th goal of the season after his half-volleyed effort struck the woodwork.

Aris Guerin-Lokonga runs at the Marske defence. Pic: Gary Welford.

Consett finished the game strongly, and there were chances for Guerin-Lokonga, who blazed over, and Mackay, whose one-on-one was saved by Allison, before they got one back in the second minute of injury time.

Ian Davidson’s free-kick from the right was sliced into his own net by midfielder Josh Myers, pictured top, but there simply wasn’t enough time for the home side to force the equaliser which they deserved.

Consett: 1 Chris Elliott, 2 Matthew Slocombe, 3 Ian Davidson, 4 Andrew Cuthbertson, 5 Michael Pearson (sub Ryan King 72), 6 Carl Piecha, 7 Kieran Martin, 8 Calvin Smith, 9 Aris Guerin-Lokonga, 10 Michael Mackay, 11 David Brown. Subs not used: Peter Jameson, David Scorer, Luke Sullivan, David Robson.
Marske: 1 Scott Allison, 2 Ryan Grier, 3 David Wells (sub Mitchell Morris 66), 4 Leon Carling, 5 Adam Wheatley, 6 Scott Matthewman, 7 Chris McGill (sub Curtis Collantine 80), 8 Josh Myers, 9 David Onions, 10 John Alexander, 11 Karl Charlton. Sub not used: Nathan Tidy.

  • Consett hoped this would be their penultimate game at Belle Vue, with the last one against Spennymoor Town due on 11 May, but were still waiting for the Northern League to decide if they had to re-play a game against Newcastle Benfield, abandoned a week earlier, with 12 minutes left, when the floodlights failed.

On this day in our history: 27 March 2018, Consett match champions-to-be Marske all the way

Consett made amends for one of their worst performances of the season on this day in 2018 when they picked up a well-earned point after going toe-to-toe with FA Vase semi-finalists Marske United.

Mark Eccles’ side had suffered one of their heaviest defeats of the season at Mount Pleasant back in November 2017, losing 5-1. But this game saw the Steelmen give as good as they got, defending superbly, and lacking just a little luck in front of goal against disciplined, hard-working opponents.

With four games in eight days to contend with, and the forthcoming Durham Challenge Cup final in mind, the squad was rotated, with Nathan Convery, Nick Cassidy, Calvin Smith and Nathan Lawrence coming in, and Clark Kay, Adam Male, Matty Slocombe and Jordan Lavery taking their turn at bench duty.

Both sides had chances from the start in a game which was an excellent advert for the Northern League. The first came after six minutes when one-time Steelman Peter Bulmer set up strike partner Danny Earl, whose shot came back off the inside of the post, with a little help from Kyle Hayes.

Consett keeper Kyle Hayes kept a clean sheet against Marske. Pic: Gary Welford.

Michael Mackay had a great chance on eight minutes after Lawrence stole possession as Marske tried to play their way out from the back, but the striker’s rising effort just cleared the bar. At the other end, Nick Cassidy produced a superb last-ditch tackle to block Adam Wheatley’s effort.

Three minutes later Mackay tried to round Robert Dean after receiving the ball in the left-hand channel, but the keeper came out on top. Mackay then fired over from the edge of the box after combining with strike partner Michael Sweet in a quick break.
 
Marske were playing good possession football, but almost overplayed themselves into trouble when Liam O’Sullivan’s backpass to Dean caught the keeper out of position, and came back off the post.

Consett’s Calvin Smith chests the ball down . Pic: Gary Welford.

On 20 minutes Consett had another good chance when Harrison Scott’s cross saw Dean miscue as he tried to punch clear, and the ball fell for Danny Craggs, whose shot under challenge from Bulmer went just wide.

Eight minutes before the break Dean pulled off a superb save, flinging himself to his left to keep out Craggs’ follow-up after his 30-yard free-kick came back to him off the defensive wall.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first, with both teams enjoying spells on top. Earl fired just wide after a shot on the turn, Hayes saved well from Craig Gott, and Glen Butterworth saw a 25-yarder deflected wide as Marske enjoyed a good spell.

Consett missed a great chance to take the lead just before the hour, when Scott’s cross put Sweet in behind the Marske defence, only for his shot from an acute angle to glance off the far post.

Consett striker Michael Mackay takes aim at the Marske goal. Pic: Gary Welford.

A good spell from Consett saw Sweet, Smith and Lawrence all have shots blocked by some determined defending, and Sweet felt he had a strong case for a penalty after he went past Wheatley, and seemed to be pushed over, but the referee was having none of it.

Marske made a double substitution, taking off both forwards, and one of the replacements, Curtis Round, brought a good save from Hayes with his feet. But it was a defender who came closest to breaking the deadlock, as Josh Rowbotham’s header from Gott’s clever pass looked destined for the top corner, until Hayes intervened.

Cassidy, who shaded man of the match honours after his best performance in a Consett shirt, must have thought he was going to be the hero when he smashed a fierce drive goalwards in injury time, but Wheatley stuck his head in the way, and probably had some headache after the game.

Marske keeper Robert Dean punches clear under pressure. Pic: Gary Welford.

In the end, a draw was probably a fair result, with both sides playing some excellent football. Consett stayed second, with Marske going third on goal difference.

The visitors went on to make up for their two-legged FA Vase defeat to neighbours Stockton Town by winning their second Northern League title in four years, and promotion to the Northern Premier League. Consett would go on to lift some long-overdue silverware of their own, in the shape of the Durham Challenge Cup – but that’s a story for another day…

CONSETT: 1 Kyle Hayes, 2 Nathan Convery, 3 Harrison Scott, 4 Arjun Purewal, 5 Ross Wilkinson, 6 Nick Cassidy, 7 Calvin Smith, 8 Danny Craggs (captain), 9 Michael Sweet, 10 Michael Mackay, 11 Nathan Lawrence (sub Adam Male). Subs not used: Clark Kay, Jordan Lavery, Matty Slocombe, Ross Coombe (GK).
MARSKE UNITED: 1 Robert Dean, 2 Josh Rowbotham, 4 Liam O’Sullivan, 4 Glen Butterworth, 5 Leon Carling, 6 Adam Wheatley (captain), 7 Gary Wood, 8 Craig Gott, 9 Daniel Earl (sub Curtis Round 69), 10 Peter Bulmer (sub James Fairley 69), 11 Reece Kelly (sub Lee Brockbank 76). Subs not used: Ian Clark, Lewis McDonald (GK).