Tag: Penrith

penrith

Consett suffer a huge blow as they’re beaten in their final away game of the season at Penrith

Consett’s hopes of a first-ever Northern League title are hanging by a thread after the last away game of the season ended in a 2-1 defeat at Penrith today.

Andy Coyles’ team needed a win at his former club to keep the pressure on second-placed North Shields, who have four games in hand over the leaders.

But for the second weekend in a row the Steelmen threw away the lead to suffer a disappointing defeat, and the gap at the top has now closed to three points after North Shields won.

Consett took the lead at in the 24th minute at Frenchfield Park when Scott Heslop played the ball off Penrith skipper Grant Davidson and a huge deflection, pictured top, gave keeper Arran Taylor no chance.

Heslop limped off in the 36th minute, to be replaced by David Dowson, and the sub had a chance almost immediately from Darren Holden’s pass, but couldn’t get a clean shot away, pictured below.

penrith
David Dowson had a chance to increase Consett’s lead just after coming on as sub. Pic: Gary Welford.

Holden himself then had two decent opportunities to increase Consett’s lead before the break, but missed both, and it remained 1-0 at half-time.

penrith
Darren Holden’s dinked effort beat the Penrith keeper but went wide. Pic: Gary Welford.

Five minutes into the second half Jake Orrell had Consett’s best chance of the game when Dowson flicked on Nick Cassidy’s free-kick, but the No 10 was denied from close range by the keeper.

penrith
Jake Orrell was denied by the Penrith keeper early in the second half. Pic: Gary Welford.

It was a big save, as the Cumbrians – in desperate need of points for their relegation fight – equalised in the 63rd minute, when Alfie Brunskill took advantage of a defensive error to fire home.

With news filtering through that title rivals North Shields were beating Guisborough 4-2, Consett needed a goal, but when it came in the 88th minute the matchwinning strike was at the other end.

Jamie Armstrong picked out Davidson with a right-wing corner, and although Consett keeper Kyle Hayes made a good save from the centre-back’s powerful header, Luke Brown reacted quickest to the loose ball to smash home the winner from close range, pictured below.

No 6 Luke Brown (left) smashes home Penrith’s late winner. Pic: Gary Welford.

Consett now need to win their final two home league games, against in-form Northallerton Town and seventh-placed Ashington, to give themselves any hope of the championship.

North Shields have now completed their home fixtures, and end the season with six consecutive away games, starting at Thornaby on Wednesday.

Consett take a break from league action by hosting West Auckland in the Division One Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, but could be toppled as leaders for the first time since September 1 by the time they next kick a ball in Division One.

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

Penrith and Ashington games are OFF as Northern League delays its restart – but our cup ties go ahead

Consett’s next two Northern League games, against Penrith and Ashington, have been postponed after the league management committee decided to delay the restart of fixtures.

However, this Saturday’s FA Vase 3rd Round tie v West Auckland Town is unaffected, and will go ahead as planned, with a 3pm kick-off at Belle View Stadium. The game is now sold out and no admission will be available on the day.

Our away Durham Challenge Cup tie at Birtley Town, which was postponed this week, has been rearranged for Wednesday, December 23, KO 7.30pm.

The decision to delay the restart of league fixtures follows a meeting of the league management committee (LMC) to discuss club responses to the Government’s changes to Tier 3 restrictions, which allow up to 150 spectators to attend fixtures, but means clubhouses must remain closed.

A number of clubs were prepared to resume fixtures from Saturday December 19, but some have been told by their local councils that they are not permitted to sell refreshments.

The majority had already indicated it isn’t financially viable to play games with attendances pegged at 150, and with no income from food and drink, they would still have significant levels of expenditure, with no grants available to cover any deficit.

Some clubs felt a change to Tier 2 restrictions allowing attendances to rise to 300 could allow a return, but the LMC decided to postpone this weekend’s fixtures even before today’s decision to leave the North East in Tier 3.

The situation will be reviewed again by the LMC on Monday, January 4, with a possible resumption date of Saturday, January 9.

A LMC spokesman said: “The committee fully understands and shares the frustration at the situation we find ourselves in, and we are grateful for the patience of officials, volunteers, players and spectators.

“In the meantime we will be writing to all the relevant local authorities to see if they are willing to address the issue of the sale of refreshments at grounds in their area, as this provides such crucial revenue for clubs.”

Our game at Penrith was due to take place on Monday, December 28, and the home game v Ashington on Saturday, January 2. New dates will be set by the league in due course.

At the moment our next scheduled league game is on Saturday, January 9, when we are due to entertain Seaham Red Star. However, at the moment both clubs are still involved in the FA Vase, and the next round is due to be played on that date.

penrith

Consett’s Boxing Day trip to Penrith has been switched to a new date and kick-off time

Consett will no longer travel to Penrith on Boxing Day, after changes were agreed to the Northern League’s festive fixture schedule.

We were due to make the long trip to Frenchfield Stadium at 3pm on Saturday, December 26, for a 3pm kick-off.

But after consultation between the clubs and the league, the game will now take place at 1pm on Monday, December 28, which is also a bank holiday.

Consett leave it late but grind out a win against plucky Penrith

Consett left it late but finally managed to grind out a 2-1 win against a dogged Penrith side at Belle View Stadium today.

And they used up a slice of luck too, with Jake Orrell’s corner going straight in to give them an injury-time winner in the Northern League Division One game.

Consett dominated in terms of possession and chances, but the Cumbrians defended superbly until the very last kick, when their hosts got the bit of luck their display deserved.

The Steelmen took the lead in the 31st minute, when Dale Pearson was fouled near the corner of the box. Orrell floated in the free-kick, and Ross Wilkinson was there to guide home a header, pictured below.

The lead lasted just two minutes as Penrith responded well, scoring from their first clear-cut chance. Max Brown broke down the right, fired the ball across and Mikey Williamson poked it home at the second attempt.

It remained 1-1 at half-time, and the second half saw Consett up their game considerably, laying siege to the visitors’ goal.

On 54 minutes a fine cross from Carl Lawson on the right saw Penrith keeper Luke Miller tip Ali Alshabeeb’s close-range header onto the bar, and then save Pearson’s follow-up on the line.

Matty Cornish replaced Alshabeeb in the 58th minute, and Consett immediately looked more threatening, even when they lost Pearson for 10 minutes after he was sent to the sin bin for dissent.

Miller saved Cornish’s shot with his outstretched leg, then palmed over Darren Holden’s well-struck effort as Consett piled on the pressure.

Cornish had two more attempts saved by the young keeper, Pearson blazed over the bar from Orrell’s cross, and then Miller made a brave stop at Pearson’s feet as Penrith defended for their lives.

Just when it seemed like Consett were going to have to settle for a point, the fourth minute of added time saw Jake Orrell swing over a corner from the left, and it missed everyone in the middle before bouncing up off the wet pitch and ending up in the top corner.

Contrasting emotions as Consett celebrate their late, late winner against Penrith.
  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.

Consett kick off their Northern League campaign with three away games in a row, starting at North Shields

Consett will kick off their 2020-21 Northern League campaign with three successive away games – starting at North Shields on Saturday 5 September.

The fixtures for the new season, issued today, will then see the Steelmen travel to Ryhope CW and Seaham Red Star in the next two league fixtures.

It won’t be until our fourth match that we get to see a league game at Belle View, when we entertain Shildon on Tuesday 22 September.

The delayed start to the season means the games come thick and fast after that; we face West Auckland, Stockton Town and Whickham in consecutive home games in the space of eight days.

And for the first time in five years we could have a game on Boxing Day – we’re due to be away at Penrith, pictured below, on Saturday 26 December.

We will see in 2021 with a home game against Ashington on Saturday 2 January, and other notable fixtures include a mouthwatering clash with fellow FA Vase semi-finalists Hebburn at home on Saturday 5 December, with the return game on Saturday 17 April – our final away fixture.

The season is scheduled to conclude with a home game against Northallerton on Saturday 24 April, however there will almost certainly be plenty of fixture changes between now and then.

Our first competitive game of the season will be the home FA Cup tie against Ryhope CW on Tuesday 1 September (KO 7.45pm). Ticket details for this will be released next week.

We don’t enter this season’s FA Vase until the 2nd Round, on Saturday 28 November. There’s no word yet on when we might play last season’s semi-final against Bitton.

On this day in our history: 3 April 2013 – let’s all do Lokonga as Consett win at Penrith thanks to new boy Aris

Consett picked up three very welcome points on their travels at Penrith thanks to a dream debut by Aris Guerin-Lokonga on this day seven years ago.

He scored both goals as the Steelmen won 2-1 to maintain their unbeaten record at the Blues’ new home ground, Frenchfield Park.

Manager Kenny Lindoe made three changes to the side beaten at Billingham Town four days earlier. The absence of centre-backs Carl Piecha and Scott Martindale meant Matty Slocombe moved to left-back, and Ian Davidson and Ryan Bell into central defence, with Andrew Cuthbertson and Liam O’ Mahoney coming into midfield, while Guerin-Lokonga, a deadline-day acquisition from Sunderland RCA, took the place of Steven Aiston up front.

Penrith, who were only out of the relegation zone on goal difference, were desperate for points, but it was Consett who started the brighter, and they took the lead after just six minutes through Guerin-Lokonga. A cross from the left by O’ Mahoney went across the face of goal, and was picked up by Calvin Smith on the right, who put it back into the middle. The new boy, pictured top, headed home from 10 yards, giving home keeper Jonny Jamieson no chance.

Consett winger Liam O’ Mahoney.

On 12 minutes, Consett thought they had doubled their lead when a Smith free-kick found Guerin-Lokonga, and his scuffed shot fell to 24-goal top scorer Michael Mackay, but his celebrations were cut short by a linesman flagging him offside. This stung the home side into action and for much of the rest of the half they matched their visitors, with chances at either end.

Penrith’s Steven Ainsworth shot wide after Kevin Connelly had headed a cross down for him, while at the other end Consett right-back Michael Pearson hit the bar with a well-struck 20-yarder. The Blues’ top scorer Scott Allison had a shot charged down, and Connelly went close, but Ben Jackson had the best chance and was unlucky to see his shot drift wide with keeper Chris Elliott well beaten.

However, with just four minutes to go to half-time, a mix-up in the home defence allowed Mackay to steal possession, and he fed Cuthbertson, who made it to the by-line and supplied Guerin-Lokonga with a simple tap-in to put Consett 2-0 up.

Aris Guerin-Lokonga helped himself to a second goal just before half-time.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with midfield exchanges dominating the game. O’ Mahoney had a chance on 53 minutes from Mackay’s pass, but his shot looped over the bar. At the other end, Matthew Read tested Elliott with a low shot which he turned round his left-hand post.

Guerin-Lokonga had a chance to complete his hat-trick and put the game beyond Penrith’s reach on 71 minutes when Craig Robson played him in, but the striker shot tamely at Jamieson in the home goal.

The introduction of Martyn Coleman for Will Paul saw Penrith take on a much more attacking stance, and the change paid dividends when Grant Davidson’s powerful downward header on 79 minutes bounced over Elliott and into the net to give the hosts some hope.

Penrith put Consett keeper Chris Elliott under pressure.

The last 10 minutes saw Penrith camped out in the Consett half, but too often the final ball was missing. The best chance came on 82 minutes, when Allison hit a curling shot just over the top.

The Steelmen were mightily relieved to hear the final whistle, which meant they remain unbeaten in four visits since Penrith moved to Frenchfield, and gave them three points to lift them comfortably away from the relegation zone.

Penrith: 1 Jonny Jamieson, 2 Dion Barnes, 3 Craig Redhead, 4 Grant Davidson, 5 Alan Gray, 6 Matthew Read, 7 Willie Paul, 8 Ben Jackson, 9 Kevin Connelly, 10 Steven Ainsworth, 11 Scott Allison. Subs: Martyn Coleman, Kevin Holliday, Ricky Faustino.
Consett: 1 Chris Elliott, 2 Michael Pearson, 3 Matty Slocombe, 4 Ryan Bell, 5 Ian Davidson, 6 Craig Robson, 7 Andrew Cuthbertson, 8 Calvin Smith, 9 Aristote Guerin-Lokonga, 10 Michael Mackay (sub David Brown 88), 11 Liam O’ Mahoney (sub Luke Sullivan 64). Subs not used: Steven Aiston, Peter Jameson, David Robson

Monday night football: Consett’s rescheduled home game against Penrith gets a new date

Consett’s home game against Penrith – which has had to be rescheduled due to our involvement in the FA Vase semi-final on March 28 – has a new date.

It will now be played at Belle View Stadium on Monday, April 20, kick-off 7.45pm.

The rearranged fixture means we will now play seven Northern League games in the final two weeks of the season, as follows:

Saturday, April 11 (A) Bishop Auckland, KO 3pm

Tuesday, April 14 (A) Seaham Red Star, KO 7.30pm

Thursday, April 16 (H) North Shields, KO 7.30pm

Saturday, April 18 (A) Ashington, KO 3pm

Monday, April 20 (H) Penrith, KO tba (probably 7.45pm)

Wednesday, April 22 (A) Sunderland RCA, KO 7.30pm

Saturday, April 25 (H) West Auckland Town, KO 3pm

Consett go fourth but are left to count the cost after a bruising win at Penrith

Consett rose to fourth in the 1st Division after a battling 2-1 win at Penrith today, but were left to count the cost of a bruising encounter.

The Steelmen had used all three substitutes when Nick Allen was felled by a poor tackle by home midfielder Adam Main with 10 minutes to go. After lengthy treatment he gamely continued, but the injury effectively reduced Terry Mitchell’s side to 10 men.

Luckily they were already two goals in front by this point, with Ali Alshabeeb giving them the lead on 28 minutes, and Calvin Smith doubling the advantage on the hour.

It was the midfielder’s seventh goal of the season, and he had a couple more opportunities to wrap up the points, but missed the target on both occasions.

Penrith goalkeeper Dan Staples – a former Consett player – made good saves from Dale Pearson and Andrei-Vasile Ardelean as the visitors tried to kill off the game.

But they were grateful to keeper Kyle Hayes for a fine performance at the other end, though there was nothing he could do to prevent Penrith’s consolation goal in the 93rd minute, as Max Brown finished from Main’s flick-on.

It was an important three points for the Steelmen, whose next three games are against the three clubs immediately above and below them – Guisborough (currently 3rd), Sunderland RCA (5th) and Stockton Town (2nd).

Latest fixture changes mean new dates for Consett away games at Penrith, Shildon and Whitley Bay

The latest round of fixture changes by the Northern League in the wake of the weekend’s FA Vase ties mean new dates for three of Consett’s away games.

The first one is for Saturday, 14 September, when we were meant to be away to Shildon. Their progress in the FA Vase means we will now be away to Penrith (brought forward from 2 November).

Our visit to Dean Street to take on Shildon will now take place on Saturday, 19 October, when we were meant to be away to Whitley Bay.

Finally, the trip to Whitley Bay, which was scheduled for 19 October, will now be on Saturday, 14 March.