Tag: ross coombe

25/02/202326/02/2023

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.

04/02/202304/02/2023

Consett get an excellent win on their travels at third-placed Stocksbridge Park Steels

Consett pulled off a superb result against one of the Northern Premier League Division One East’s in-form teams today, winning 1-0 away at third-placed Stocksbridge Park Steels.

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28/01/202329/01/2023

Ten-man Consett’s winning run comes to an end at hands of streetwise Grimsby Borough

Consett’s three-game winning run came to an end at Belle View Stadium today as they lost 3-1 to in-form Grimsby Borough.

The visitors arrived unbeaten in 11 games, and made it 12 with a win where they showed just how streetwise they’ve become since starting the season with six consecutive defeats.

A tight first half was goalless, with Scott Fenwick having a shot cleared off the line for Consett, pictured below, and Ross Coombe saving well from Reece York at the other end.

grimsby — **Scott Fenwick prods the ball past the keeper, but No 6 got back to clear. Pic: Keith Marley.**

Calvin Smith hit the post as Consett started the second half well, with Fenwick denied a penalty as he seemed to be felled as he reacted to the rebound.

The complexion of the game changed completely in the 48th minute when the referee showed a straight red card to the disbelieving Zak Atkinson, pictured top, for a foul which Adam Mitchell had committed.

After a chaotic few minutes during which tempers frayed and the referee eventually sent off the right player, Grimsby took the lead while Consett got used to playing with 10 men.

A quick break down the right – where the dismissed Mitchell had been playing – saw the visitors’ top scorer Adam Drury exchange passes with York before firing a first-time shot past Coombe to make it 0-1.

Consett skipper Arjun Purewal had a glorious chance to level from a corner five minutes later, but his powerful header, pictured below, went inches over the bar.

**This header by Consett captain Arjun Purewal cleared the bar by inches. Pic: Gary Welford.**

The home side were made to pay when another quick raid down Consett’s depleted flank saw debutant Tyler Edwards convert from a pass by Lewis Collins.

A flurry of substitutions followed as Consett sought a way back into the game and Grimsby tried to hold onto what they had, but the home side received a lifeline in the 84th minute.

Borough centre-back Callum Lovett brought down Fenwick with a scything tackle, pictured below, and Consett’s top scorer Zak Atkinson stepped up to convert the resulting spot kick and make it 1-2 with his 10th goal of the season.

Substitute Cyril Giraud and Atkinson had chances to level, and with five minutes of time added at the end of the game the crowd got behind Consett, spurring the 10 men on for a late leveller.

Instead the decisive goal went the other way as sub Kyle Radford made it 1-3 with a strike from distance, which went in off the post.

The result saw Consett drop one place to 10th, with their next fixture a tough away trip to third-placed Stocksbridge Park Steels next Saturday, 4 February.

Full match report and more pictures to follow.

01/11/202201/11/2022

Consett take the lead but lose at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels

Consett learned another Northern Premier League lesson tonight when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Stocksbridge Park Steels, despite taking the lead.

The Sheffield side pinched all three points by taking their chances against a Consett side who played some decent football, but were found wanting in both boxes.

Zak Atkinson gave the home side the lead on 14 minutes, pictured top, when he finished a lovely flowing move down the left involving Evan Horwood and Colin Larkin. It was his sixth goal of the season, making him the club’s top scorer.

But on 25 minutes it was all square when the visitors broke quickly from a Consett attack and pacy striker Ify Ofoegbu beat two men before burying a shot past Ross Coombe.

In added time at the end of the first half Declan Bisset brought a fine save from Steels keeper Harrison Davison-Hale with a stinging drive from 20 yards, and the sides went in level at the break.

Parity didn’t last long, however, and a defensive error in the first minute of the second half gifted what turned out to be the winner to the visitors.

A loose pass by Coombe was seized upon by Stocksbridge, who were playing a high pressing game, and Leigh Whelan made it 2-1.

Jake Orrell and Calvin Smith had efforts deflected wide and Cyril Giraud and Adam Mitchell both missed headed chances as Consett pressed for an equaliser.

Larkin almost rescued a point for Consett in the second minute of added time, but his well-struck 25-yarder came back off the bar with the keeper beaten.

The defeat saw Consett drop a place to 10th in the NPL Division One East table and means they have now gone eight games without a win (if you count the West Auckland cup game as a draw).

Full match report and more pictures to follow.

18/10/202222/10/2022

Consett lose to impressive Worksop after taking lead against the run of play

Consett suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since joining the Northern premier League tonight when they lost 3-1 at Worksop Town.

The Steelmen had to endure long periods without the ball as the home side, who are one of the favourites for promotion, dominated the play.

The Tigers had a goal disallowed for offside and hit the bar in a one-sided first half where the visitors made it into their hosts’ penalty area just once.

But Andy Coyles’ side took the lead completely against the run of play in the 48th minute when they broke quickly from a Worksop free-kick, and Zak Atkinson coolly finished to give them the lead.

Keeper Ross Coombe, recalled to the starting XI, made two excellent saves to keep Consett ahead, but could do little about Worksop’s 73rd-minute equaliser, as Vaughan Redford headed home at the back post.

Two minutes later the home side were ahead, as Josh Wilde turned the ball in from close range from Redford’s cross.

And on 82 minutes the points were in the bag when Liam Hughes prodded home from Liam Hardy’s cross to make it 3-1.

Consett were left to lick their wounds after a defeat at the hands of a hugely experienced and very impressive Worksop side who will be there or thereabouts when the championship is decided at the end of the season.

Full match report and more pictures to follow.

27/08/202227/08/2022

Consett starting to get into their stride as they hit Carlton Town for five

Consett recorded an excellent Northern Premier League win today against Carlton Town, who headed home from Belle View Stadium on the wrong end of a 5-0 drubbing.

The visitors from Nottinghamshire finished sixth in the NPL Division One Midlands last season before being switched by the FA to the East division in the summer.

They must have wished they’d stayed there after coming up against a Consett team who are really starting to find their feet in their new surroundings.

Lewis Green set the Steelmen on their way in the 20th with a crisp volleyed finish, pictured below, from Darren Holden’s left-wing cross.

On 26 minutes the lead was doubled when Karl Byrne ‘s pass sent Kieren Aplin running through, and despite the attentions of a defender he finished from 15 yards to make it 2-0, pictured below.

Consett keeper Ross Coombe made an important save in the 57th minute, to deny visiting skipper Nathan Watson and deny the Millers a lifeline back into the game.

Four minutes later the points were as good as Consett’s when Carlton left-back Niall Hylton handled on the goal-line and was shown a straight red card.

The penalty was neatly tucked away by striker Zak Atkinson, pictured below, who again led the line superbly, never giving the visiting defence a moment’s rest.

Most teams would have been happy with three, but not this Consett side. On 88 minutes Declan Bisset scored his first goal for the club to make it 4-0, with a neat finish, pictured below, from sub Dan Marriott’s pass.

And in the last minute of stoppage time the outstanding Lewis Green made it 5-0, slotting home a precision finish into the bottom corner, pictured below, from another Marriott set up.

It was an excellent win, which could have been even more emphatic, and made it four games without defeat in the Northern premier league.

Full match report and more pictures to follow.

Next up for Consett is a tasty Bank Holiday Monday trip to our old Northern League friends and rivals Dunston. Kick off at the UTS Stadium is 3pm.

16/08/202216/08/2022

Consett pick up their first Northern Premier League point by drawing with North Shields

Consett picked up their first point of the season tonight in a 0-0 draw with North Shields – but were the width of the woodwork away from making it all three.

Encouraged by Saturday’s battling performance at Cleethorpes Town, the Steelmen hosted last season’s Northern League champions at Belle View Stadium in their first home Northern Premier League game.

A healthy midweek crowd of 429 was treated to a good, hard-fought contest between two well-matched sides – and all that was missing was a goal.

David Robinson had the ball in the net for the visitors on 16 minutes, but the ‘goal’ was correctly ruled out for offside.

On 28 minutes Shields were grateful to keeper Finlay Hodgson for keeping the scoresheet blank as he stood up well to Cyril Giraud’s fiercely-struck drive.

Seven minutes later Hodgson made an even better save from Jake Orrell, tipping his effort onto the bar after the midfielder created space for the shot with a tremendous piece of skill.

North Shields rarely threatened, with their big striker Dan Wilson kept well in check by the home defence, and Consett keeper Ross Coombe didn’t have a serious save to make all night.

Consett had a big shout for a penalty on 72 minutes when a surging run from Matty Slocombe was brought to an abrupt halt by his Shields counterpart Anth Myers.

The referee decided the offence, pictured top, was right on the edge of the box, and awarded a free-kick, which was fired against the foot of the post by Orrell, with the rebound evading the following-in Zak Atkinson.

Dan Marriott had a late chance to be Consett’s hero, but his curling shot from 20 yards a minute after coming on as sub flashed just over the bar.

It ended honours even, but the Steelmen are off the mark, and can take a lot of positives from their performance – probably the best of the season so far.

Full match report and more pictures to follow.
Next up for Consett is a rearranged home game against Tadcaster Albion this Saturday, 20 August, KO 3pm.

26/07/202226/07/2022

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.

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.

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.

17/07/202217/07/2022

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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26/03/202230/03/2022

Redcar deal another blow to Consett’s title hopes after completing league double over them

Consett lost the inaugural ‘Steel Cup’ today – but more importantly saw their lead at the top of the Northern League cut to six points by a 2-1 defeat at Redcar Athletic.

It was the same scoreline by which the newly-promoted Teessiders won at Belle View three weeks ago, giving them a league double over their fellow Steelmen after our first-ever meetings.

The result tips the balance of the championship race in favour of our closest rivals North Shields, who beat Penrith 5-0, and now have 65 points to our 71, but with four games in hand.

The opening exchanges were tense, and Consett had the first real chance midway through the half when defender Matty Ridley had a header from a corner cleared off the line.

A minute later No 9 Scott Heslop looked certain to score when a Lewis Green pass sent him clear on goal, but he put his effort high and wide.

Consett did take the lead on 27 minutes, when Darren Holden’s long throw was chested down by Heslop, and James Martin fired home from 15 yards.

But the home side were level within a minute when dangerman Isaac Walker, who scored the winner at Belle View, cut in from the left and struck a shot which took a deflection which sent the ball looping over goalkeeper Ross Coombe.

Luke Carr had an effort deflected wide as Consett sought to regain the lead, and Coombe then saved well from Walker, so it remained 1-1 at half-time.

A penalty shootout between supporters during the break saw Consett triumph 4-3, with keeper Peter Lockeron saving three kicks and Sam Martin slamming home the decisive kick.

But it was Redcar who took the initiative when the game resumed, and Isaac Walker beat his man and fired in a dipping effort to make it 2-1 to the home side on 55 minutes.

Consett rang the changes, bringing on three substitutes in a bid to get back into the game, and one of them, David Dowson, pictured top, almost equalised on 77 minutes, but saw his 20-yarder come back off the base of the post.

That was as near as the visitors got to finding an equaliser, and it was a dispirited league leaders who trooped off the field as news of North Shields’ win filtered through.

Full match report, stats and more pictures to follow.

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