Tag: northern premier league

grantham

Consett dragged into relegation battle after defeat at Grantham Town

Consett have been drawn into the heart of the Northern Premier League relegation fight after suffering a 3-0 defeat today at Grantham Town, the division’s second-bottom side.

Conceding two goals in the first half left Tony Fawcett’s team with a mountain to climb, and a third late in the game left them just a point outside the relegation play-off places.

The Steelmen’s side was much stronger than the one which drew at home to Ossett United last week, with Ben Milburn, skipper Arjun Purewal and Adam Mitchell returning to the defence.

But it was Consett’s failure to take three good chances in the first half which ultimately cost them the game.

They fell behind after just five minutes when Danny Barlow gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position on the right of the penalty area. McCrory floated the ball in and burly striker Gregg Smith powered home an unmarked header at the back post to make it 1-0.

It took until midway through the half for Consett to show their attacking teeth, when Milburn recycled a half-cleared free-kick to set up Jake Orrell, but the keeper was off his line quickly to save at the expense of a corner.

From the resulting flag-kick centre forward Scott Fenwick had a clear header at goal, but put his powerful effort, pictured below, inches over the bar.

Grantham almost doubled their lead on 37 minutes when a mix-up between Consett keeper Mark Foden and Milburn saw Lee Shaw nip in, but his lobbed effort bounced wide of the far post.

On 42 minutes Consett had another chance to level when Barlow was pushed over right on the edge of the box. He took the resulting free-kick himself, but his left-footed effort narrowly cleared the crossbar, pictured below.

A minute before the break Grantham doubled their lead. A quick break saw Shaw crash a shot against the bar, and left-back Joe Stacey reacted to the rebound quickest to fire home.

Being 2-0 down at half-time left the Steelmen with a mountain to climb, but for the first quarter of an hour of the second half they gave it a real go.

Fenwick hit a rising 25-yarder over the top, Nathan Greenwood had one shot, pictured below, saved and another blocked, and Matty Slocombe fired inches wide from 25 yards.

Again the misses would come back to haunt Consett, as they conceded again in the 77th minute to kill any hope of a comeback. A corner from the left saw Foden’s punch fall straight to Ashton Hall, who smashed it back past him on the volley.

There was no way back from that, and the defeat means it’s now eight games since Consett won a game, picking up just three points out of the last 24.

Wins for Lincoln United and Shildon reduced Consett’s cushion between their 14th place and the relegation play-off places to just one point, though they can take slight solace from the fact that Brighouse Town and Carlton Town – who we face in our final two away games – both lost today.

Tadcaster Albion, who lost 2-0 at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels, are relegated.

  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.
grantham

Grantham Town trip is next for Consett as they look for precious Northern Premier League points

Consett’s next game is on Saturday, 25 March, when we make the long trip to Lincolnshire to visit Grantham Town for a 3pm kick-off.

They play at the council-owned South Kesteven Sports Stadium in Trent Road, Grantham (NG31 7XQ), which has been their home since October 1991. With a capacity of 7,500, it’s probably the biggest ground we’ll play at this season.

It’s a 166-mile trip via the A1(M), A1 and A607, which should take about three hours if you’re making your own way there.

The usual limited number of seats are available now on the official club coach to the game, priced at our standard £20 awayday fare. Places must be booked and paid for in advance at the clubhouse or by calling (01207) 588886.

Grantham are an established Step 4 club, having played in the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division for 10 years, and almost winning promotion to the National League in 2017-18, only to miss out in the play-offs.

However, they were relegated last season, and although they were among the favourites for promotion, they’ve found themselves scrapping at the other end of the table.

When the sides met at Belle View back in November they drew 2-2, with Zak Atkinson equalising for Consett and then putting us ahead, before Grantham grabbed a late leveller.

grantham
Zak Atkinson scores for Consett against Grantham in the 2-2 draw back in November.

Back in August they had their scheduled home game v Worksop Town postponed in bizarre circumstances, when part of the pitch was dug up by crows, attracted by a tasty meal of chafer grubs, which had infested areas of the playing surface.

After Grantham we have only two away games left this season, on consecutive Saturdays in April. The first is a trip down to Nottinghamshire to face Carlton Town, who are also fighting for their NPL life near the foot of the table, on 8 April.

That’s followed on 15 April by the final away game of the season, when we head down to West Yorkshire for a first ever visit to Brighouse Town. Seats on the official club coach to both games are available now.

ossett

Consett drop vital points after conceding a late equaliser against Ossett United

Consett and Ossett United shared the points for the second time this season as they drew 1-1 at Belle View Stadium today.

The Steelmen, missing eight players, will consider it two points dropped after leading for more than an hour and having chances to wrap up a win.

They took the lead in the 26th minute when ex-Hartlepool striker Scott Fenwick chested down an excellent long diagonal pass from Daniel Smith and finished from 10 yards, pictured top.

Eight minutes before the break they almost doubled their advantage when Jake Orrell played in Nathan Greenwood, but this time keeper Paul Cooper was quickly off his line to save.

On 57 minutes Greenwood’s pass found Calvin Smith in space, but the midfielder’s well-struck half-volley rattled the crossbar with Cooper beaten.

Ossett had more of the ball after that, but Consett’s makeshift back four – consisting of the outstanding Dan Capewell and three midfielders, kept the visitors at bay with some determined defending.

The growing pressure almost told in the 79th minute when Ossett’s lanky striker Alex Peterson headed a good chance wide.

But the visitors got an equaliser to make sure it ended honours even when sub Nathan Curtis netted from close range with three minutes remaining.

The result leaves Consett in the same 14th position they occupied before kick-off, but wins for Brighouse Town, Shildon and Carlton Town mean the gap between the Steelmen and the relegation play-off places is now just four points.

Elsewhere, Worksop Town were crowned champions with seven games to spare after beating bottom side Tadcaster, as second-placed Hebburn lost at Long Eaton.

Consett’s next game is next Saturday, 25 March, away at Grantham Town, who dropped into the bottom two for the first time this season after their game away at Dunston was postponed.

hebburn

Patched-up Consett suffer heaviest defeat of the season at Hebburn despite Scotty scorcher

Consett ended their four-game goal drought today – but it proved to be in vain as high-flying Hebburn Town came from behind to beat them 5-1.

The Steelmen’s patched-up side took the lead in the 34th minute at the Green Energy Stadium with a stunning 25-yard strike from Scott Fenwick, pictured top.

But the Hornets equalised just before half-time through Olly Martin, and ran amok in the second half to inflict their visitors’ heaviest defeat of the season.

With Jake Orrell injured and Ben Milburn suspended, Consett had to reshuffle their pack again, giving starting XI debuts to two players, and bringing two more off the bench as their injury problems went from bad to worse.

Left-back Jack Moody and forward Scott Jasper, signed from Whickham and Ryton respectively, started the game, but neither finished it.

Moody had to be replaced at half-time by 41-year-old assistant manager Wayne Buchanan after suffering a blow to the head, while Nathan Lawrence, recently re-signed from Sunderland RCA, came on when Matty Slocombe limped off just before the hour.

By that time Consett had gone behind to Martin’s second on 54 minutes, and Hebburn added further goals from Jake Hackett (74 mins), Liam Henderson (78 mins) and James Harrison (90 mins).

The result saw Consett drop three places to 13th, six points clear of the relegation zone, while Hebburn leapfrogged Stockton Town to go second behind runaway leaders Worksop Town.

The Steelmen have a free midweek before their next game, when they entertain 8th-placed Cleethorpes Town at Belle View Stadium next Saturday. Kick-off is 3pm, and they will be hoping to get back one or two of the eight players who manager Tony Fawcett was unable to call on.

  • Full match report and more pictures HERE.

tadcaster

Consett grind out a goalless draw at Tadcaster

Consett picked up another point away from home in the Northern Premier League tonight when they drew 0-0 at bottom club Tadcaster Albion.

The Steelmen welcomed back Calvin Smith, Matty Slocombe, pictured top, and Mark Foden from suspension, but had to settle for a draw on a night when defences were well and truly on top, with neither goalkeeper having a serious save to make.

And although another clean sheet away from home – the fourth since he became manager – will have pleased manager Tony Fawcett, his side failed to score for the fourth successive game.

The result means the Steelmen remain 10th in the table, 10 points off the promotion mix and eight points clear of the relegation play-off zone.

Of Consett’s remaining nine games, six are against teams currently below them in the table, but next up is a trip to third-placed Hebburn Town on Saturday (KO 3pm).

Full match report and more pictures to follow.

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.

bridlington

Ten-man Consett bring home a hard-earned point after backs-to-the-wall display at Bridlington

Consett picked up one of their best points of the season today after an already-depleted side managed to draw 0-0 at Bridlington Town after playing almost half the game with 10 men.

Tony Fawcett was unable to call on eight players for the game through a combination of injuries, suspensions and covid.

He gave full debuts to teenagers Daniel Smith and Oscar Taylor, and only had two substitutes, both young players from the reserve team.

But his young side responded with a superb battling performance despite having their goalkeeper sent off early in the second half.

Mark Foden had already been booked in the first half for a studs-up tackle outside his area on Andy Norfolk, and received a second yellow card in the 56th minute for a rash challenge on Nick Hutton.

With no spare keeper on the bench, Scott Fenwick went in goal, and the big striker made a superb save in the 82nd minute from Benn Lewis, tipping his goalbound effort over the bar, pictured top.

  • Full match report and pictures to follow.

north shields

Depleted Consett leave fightback too late and lose by the only goal at North Shields

A Consett side missing six regulars lost 1-0 to former Northern League rivals North Shields in a scrappy game at the Daren Persson Stadium tonight.

With five players out injured and another suspended, the Steelmen were always in for a tough night against the side who pipped them to the league championship last season.

And despite North Shields’ lowly position just outside the relegation play-off places, it was them who scored the only goal of a tepid game.

It came in the 35th minute when Cameron Cunningham took advantage of a double defensive lapse to grab what turned out to be the winner.

Midfielder Danny Barlow, signed today on loan from Blyth Spartans, came straight into Consett’s starting XI, and had an early chance deflected wide.

But it was centre-back Dan Capewell, pictured top, who came closest to snatching a point, with a 90th-minute header which came back off the bar.

The result means Consett remain 10th in the NPL Division One East, eight points off the promotion play-offs, but 10 points clear of the danger zone at the foot of the table.

Next up is another away trip on Saturday, this time to Bridlington Town, who are 14th, four places and four behind behind Consett.

  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.