Tag: seaham red star

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Dream debut double from new boy Scott Heslop gives Consett a late win at Seaham

New striker Scott Heslop got his Consett career off to a dream start today, scoring a debut double to give them a 3-2 win at Seaham Red Star.

Heslop, 27, who was signed from Northern Premier League side Dunston on 29 December, had to settle for a place on the bench for his new club’s first game of 2022.

But he came on and immediately made his mark to inspire the league leaders to a vital win in a game where they twice had to come from behind.

The festive break’s other new signing, the returning Nick Cassidy, went straight into the starting XI, but the opening 45 minutes was nothing to write home about for either side.

Latest signing Nick Cassidy came straight into Consett’s starting XI. Pic: Gary Welford.

The closest we came to a goal was midway through the half, when Liam Heywood’s pass put Adam Lennox through, but Kyle Hayes stood up well to save his dinked effort.

Consett created very little, but thought they should have had a penalty on 35 minutes, when Colin Larkin was flattened from behind by Jordan Patterson, but the referee decided it was inches outside the box rather than inside.

The game burst into life five minutes into the second half when Seaham striker Jamie Clark, on loan from Blyth Spartans, curled a tremendous effort into the top corner to make it 1-0.

The lead lasted only a minute, as Consett equalised through the unlikely figure of Matty Slocombe, who buried a shot in the bottom corner from 25 yards for 1-1.

Consett’s Matty Slocombe fires home from 25 yards to make it 1-1. Pic: Gary Welford.

It was the popular midfielder’s first goal of the season, and his first in nearly two years, the last being in a 4-1 win over Ashington on 25 January 2020.

Five minutes later Consett had another big penalty shout when Dale Pearson powered into the box and went down under challenge from Max Nelson, but the referee decided the centre-back got the ball and gave a corner.

Slocombe thought he had a second goal on 65 minutes when his header from a setpiece struck the bar, bounced down and was cleared off the line by Joe Hailes. The Consett midfielder was adamant his effort had crossed the line, but the referee ruled otherwise.

Consett’s Matty Slocombe appeals, but the referee denies him a second goal. Pic: Gary Welford.

A minute later Seaham had an excellent chance when Clark was sent clear, but Hayes stood up well to save with his feet.

There was nothing the Consett keeper could do to prevent Seaham retaking the lead on 77 minutes, however, as Adam Lennox went past three defenders before finishing past Hayes to make it 2-1.

Two minutes later Consett were denied an equaliser when Pearson was ruled offside as he bundled Cassidy’s cross into the net with the help of a defender.

But on 80 minutes Consett got a goal that did count, when Scott Heslop, who’d come on for Carl Lawson, glanced a superb header into the bottom corner from Cassidy’s right-wing cross.

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Consett’s Scott Heslop scores with a glancing header to make it 2-2. Pic: Gary Welford.

The game was anyone’s now, and Consett were grateful to James Martin for a 90th-minute goal-line clearance which kept the score at 2-2.

Seaham keeper Andrew Jennison saved well from Slocombe as Consett went in search of a winner, and Larkin slipped as he tried to convert the rebound

Just when it seemed like the game was heading for a draw, Scott Heslop stuck out a leg at fellow sub Lewis Green’s cross from the right to give Consett a 94th-minute winner.

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Scott Heslop sticks out a leg to score an injury-time winner for Consett at Seaham Red Star. Pic: Gary Welford.

The victory means they went eight points clear of second-placed Thornaby at the top of the table, though many of the chasing pack saw their games called off.

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

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Consett’s game at Seaham Red Star will kick off early

Consett’s first game of 2022, at Seaham Red Star this Saturday, will kick-off earlier than planned, due to floodlight issues.

The Northern League Division One match at the Independent Utility Advice Arena will kick off at 2pm, instead of 3pm.

Admission to Seaham Town Park (SR7 0HP for any first-time visitors) – is £6 for adults and £4 for concessions, and the match programme is £1.50.

Callum’s the Guy as Consett start the season with a win over Seaham

Consett got their Northern League campaign off to a winning start today, beating a dogged Seaham Red Star 3-1 at Belle View Stadium.

Wearing their new red and black away kit, the Steelmen gave debuts to two of their new signings, left-back Charlie Exley and midfielder Callum Guy.

Both did well, and Guy turned out to be one of the key men in the game, which saw Consett take the lead, pegged back, then take three points with an impressive second-half display.

They opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Carl Lawson took Calvin Smith’s crossfield ball down on his chest, turned, and smashed an unstoppable effort in off the bar from 22 yards, pictured below.

The lead didn’t last long, however, as Seaham equalised two minutes later, with right-back Jordan Patterson getting on the end of Lee Kerr’s cross to glance in a header.

Six minutes before half-time Consett almost restored their lead, when Jake Orrell played in Luke Carr, whose dinked effort was saved by Seaham keeper Andrew Jennison, and centre-back Max Nelson cleared the loose ball before Dale Pearson could take advantage.

It remained 1-1 at the break, and the Steelmen were grateful to keeper Kyle Hayes for saving with his feet from Adam Lennox in the 52nd minute.

Nine minutes later Consett regained the lead with a fine goal. Guy started the move in midfield, spraying the ball out wide for Pearson.

The No.9 made for the byline before pulling the ball back for Callum Guy, who had continued his run into the box, to finish from 10 yards, firing into the roof of the net for 2-1, pictured below.

Consett’s tails were up, and Pearson and Exley both had chances to increase the lead before they scored a third goal to clinch the game in the 79th minute.

This time Guy returned the favour for Dale Pearson, setting up the striker to score from eight yards after seeing the Seaham keeper save his initial effort.

The final scoreline could have been more. Jennison made an excellent save from Orrell, who burst clean through after robbing Kerr in midfield, and sub Dan Marriott curled an effort just wide after Orrell turned provider.

But manager Terry Mitchell was happy enough to get three points on the board, ahead of a week in which his side faces two tricky away games, in the league at Northallerton on Wednesday, then the FA Cup at Whickham on Friday.

  • Full match report and more pictures HERE.

All Consett AFC games are OFF until further notice due to Tier 4 Covid-19 restrictions

Consett AFC first-team games and training are being postponed until further notice, due to Covid-19 precautions.

This is due to the Government’s decision to place the North East into Tier 4 restrictions to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

That means our first scheduled game of 2021, the Durham Challenge Cup tie at Birtley Town this Saturday, January 2, is OFF.

Northern League fixtures, which were hoping to restart on Saturday, January 9, will not be resumed until further notice.

That means our next scheduled home game, v Seaham Red Star on Saturday, January 9, is OFF.

Subsequent fixtures will depend on which tier of restrictions we’re placed in at the next review.

The Northern League management committee meets on Monday, January 4, to consider options available for the rest of the season.

Consett AFC Chairman Frank Bell said: “Sadly, we have entered Tier 4, and we won’t have football for some weeks.

“However, I believe it is in all our safe interests. Please take care, and I hope to see you all soon.”

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.

Consett start their league campaign in style by hitting Seaham Red Star for six

Consett got their Northern League Division One campaign off to a great start tonight with a thumping 6-2 win at Seaham Red Star, with six different players on the scoresheet.

The Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for the Steelmen, but they made light of that with a powerful display which blew their hosts away.

Indeed it’s fair to say Terry Mitchell’s rampant side could easily have doubled their tally, as they missed at least another half a dozen good chances.

They opened the scoring in the 7th minute, when Jake Orrell swing in a free-kick from the left and Simon Jakab met the ball at the front of the six-yard box to head home his first goal for the club.

Consett’s Darren Holden takes on former teammate Dan Hawkins. Pic: Gary Welford.

Dale Pearson almost made it two when he smashed a 25-yarder against the crossbar in the 11th minute, but the Steelmen only had to wait three more minutes for a second goal, as Ross Wilkinson fired home at the back post, pictured top, from another Orrell corner after the keeper dropped the ball.

A moment of sloppiness proved costly for Consett in the 22nd minute, when a backpass fell straight to veteran striker Andrew Johnson, and he rounded Kyle Hayes to halve the deficit.

It remained 2-1 at half-time, but Consett – wearing their entire all-blue third kit for the first time – wrapped up the points with three goals in a scintillating 11-minute spell at the start of the second half.

On 50 minutes it was 3-1 when theyb roke quickly from defending a corner, and the move ended with Carl Lawson laying the ball back to Calvin Smith, who buried it in the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Three minutes later it was 4-1, when, after good work by Ali Alshabeeb down the left, the outstanding Jake Orrell played a one-two with Lawson and finished high into the net.

Jake Orrell was outstanding for Consett, scoring and claiming two assists. Pic: Gary Welford.

And on 61 minutes it was 5-1, when a clever dummy by Pearson left Darren Holden to run clear through on goal, and he finished through the keeper’s legs.

Last season’s top scorer Pearson should have made it six in the 74th minute when he latched onto a long ball, but fired into the side netting.

Seaham got a goal back in the 79th minute when Hayes made a good save from a free-kick, but former Consett player Dan Hawkins reacted quickest to prod the ball home from close range.

But within a minute Consett’s had restored their four-goal advantage with a piece of clinical finishing from Matty Cornish, who slotted home the rebound after the keeper had saved fellow sub Thomas McAloon’s initial effort.

Michael Mackay’s shot brought a good save from Seaham’s keeper. Pic: Gary Welford.

Consett could have scored more, but Seaham keeper Andrew Jennison pulled off the save of the game from a curling Orrell effort, and also denied Michael Mackay as the visitors threatened to run riot.

  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.

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Consett kick-off their Northern League campaign at Seaham: Here’s what supporters need to know

Consett will at last kick-off their Northern League fixtures tonight with a trip to Seaham Red Star.

The game at the Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium at Seaham Town Park (SR7 0HP) has a 7.30pm KO, and is NOT all-ticket.

Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, and costs £6 for adults and £3 for concessions, with under-16s admitted free. Capacity is limited to 300.

As usual, track and trace details will be required on entry, and social distancing and other Covid-19 measures put in place by the home club should be adhered to at all times.

Seaham started the season with an FA Cup exit on penalties to Newcastle Benfield, and their next games, against Whickham and Northallerton, also ended in draws. Their most recent outing was on Saturday, when they lost 3-1 at home to North Shields.

Their squad includes three former Consett players – Dan Hawkins, Nathan Lawrence and Luke Sullivan, with the latter scoring their goal at the weekend.

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.

Consett AFC thank Dan Hawkins for his service as he decides to end his five-year spell at the club

Consett AFC today wished Dan Hawkins well after the popular midfielder decided to leave the club after five years, in search of more regular game time.

The 28-year-old’s contract recently expired, and he has agreed to join fellow Northern League 1st Division side Seaham Red Star, where he had a successful loan spell last season.

Consett AFC chairman Frank Bell said: “From the day he arrived at the club, Dan was extremely loyal and an excellent asset.

“He played just about everywhere but in goal for us, and showed tremendous character by coming back from a horrific injury.

Dan Hawkins in action against Whitley Bay. Pic: Gary Welford.

“We’re disappointed that he’s decided to leave, but fully understand his desire to start games on a more regular basis.

“He leaves on good terms with our best wishes, and he knows he will always be welcome back at Belle View.”

Dan signed for Consett in the summer of 2015, having spent the previous season with Blyth Spartans in the Evo-stik League Premier Division, and helping them to the 3rd Round proper of the FA Cup.

An ex-Middlesbrough Academy player, he had previously spent four years at Bishop Auckland, helping them to lift the Durham Challenge Cup in 2013.

Dan, pictured with Willie Donachie and Mark Eccles, was Player of the Year in 2016-17.

He arrived at Consett as a midfielder, but showed his versatility by also playing at right-back, centre-back and centre-forward.

Named vice-captain for the 2016-17 season, he responded by turning in some excellent performances, and being voted Player of the Year.

Sadly, he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury in December 2017 in a League Cup tie v. Tow Law. It needed two operations and ruled him out for more than a year, but Dan slowly regained fitness and became a regular squad member again last season.

His last appearance was against Atherstone Town in the 6th Round of the FA Vase on 7 March, when he made a little bit of club history by becoming our first-ever ‘fourth sub’ during extra time.

Dan made seven starts and 10 substitute appearances last season, scoring once, at Brandon in the League Cup. His overall record as a Steelman is 134 games and 14 goals.

Dan Hawkins became Consett’s first-ever ‘fourth sub’ in the FA Vase at Atherstone.