Consett remain six points clear at the top of the Northern League Division One after winning a thrilling game 3-2 at Whitley Bay today.
Continue reading “Consett stay six points clear after edging five-goal thriller at Whitley Bay”
Tag: stephen callen
Consett maintain six-point lead after comfortable win over Guisborough
Consett maintained their six-point lead at the top of the Northern League 1st Division with a comfortable 3-0 win over Guisborough Town today at Belle View Stadium.
Jake Orrell got them off to a flying start, firing home with just four minutes gone when the referee played a good advantage after Stephen Callen was dragged back.
The lead was doubled on 27 minutes when Luke Carr latched on to a long ball down the left and played a superb cross into the box, which Colin Larkin half-volleyed home.
The points were secured on 68 minutes when Luke Carr was brought down in the box, and picked himself up to convert the resulting penalty and make it 3-0.
West Auckland, who started the day in second place, dropped two points after drawing 2-2 at Ryhope CW, and dropped to fourth.
Newton Aycliffe went second after their 3-1 win over Redcar Athletic, while Thornaby are third after a 1-0 victory over Whitley Bay.
- Full match report and more pictures HERE.
Fluke goal seals win for Consett over stubborn Sunderland RCA
Consett got back to winning ways with a hard fought 2-0 win against a resilient Sunderland RCA side.
The match, played in front of another impressive crowd of 477 at Belle View, extended their lead at the top of the Northern League 1st Division to six points.
The line-ups had an element of ‘old boys’ about them, as Consett’s strike force of Stephen Callen and Colin Larkin both played for RCA last season, while the visitors included ex-Steelmen Simon Jakab and Dan Hawkins.
The first half saw the sides largely cancel each other out, and with neither keeper having a save to make, it was no surprise that the score was 0-0 at half-time.
Consett started the second half in much brighter fashion, and got the breakthrough in the 64th minute when an inswinging corner from Jake Orrell was headed home from five yards by skipper Arjun Purewal, pictured below.
From an early stage it had looked like a game that would be won by a single goal, but Consett secured the points with a second that had a touch of both fortune and comedy about it.
Visiting keeper Keaton Marrs had the ball at his feet and was under no pressure, but his attempted punt up the field hit the retreating Stephen Callen firmly on his backside 10 yards out and rebounded into the goal, past the helpless keeper.
They say strikers have a habit of scoring against their former sides, but there can’t have been too many scored like this!
Although it was far from Consett’s best performance, these are the type of games that potential champions must win – hard fought against strong opponent, and keeping a clean sheet.
- Full match report and pictures HERE.
Birthday boy Luke Carr’s late winner puts Consett seven points clear
A late goal from birthday boy Luke Carr gave Consett a hard-earned 2-1 win at Ryhope CW tonight to put them seven points clear at the top of the Northern League.
The little playmaker celebrated turning 28 with a man of the match performance, capped by scoring the winner 10 minutes from the end.
But the Steelmen again had to do it the hard way, coming from a goal down to turn the game at Ryhope Recreation Ground around.
After a nip and tuck opening period they had a decent penalty shout turned down in the 13th minute when Dale Pearson went down under a challenge from Robbie Bird.
On 21 minutes Jake Orrell’s curling cross from the left evaded everybody in the middle and came back off the post, with the keeper beaten.
Five minutes later a right-wing corner from Carr picked out skipper Arjun Purewal, whose header flashed just wide of the post.
Ryhope had their moments too, and took the lead on 34 minutes when Karl Southern won the ball and slipped it to Bird, who released James Ellis down the left.
The No 11 cut inside, and his shot from just inside the box found the back of the net with the aid of a slight deflection.
Four minutes before half-time Consett had an excellent chance to level when Ryhope keeper Jordan Harkess made a good save from Carr’s 20-yarder. Colin Larkin, following in, looked certain to score from the rebound, but put it over the bar.
The Steelmen didn’t have to wait long for parity, as on the stroke of half-time they found an equaliser. Jermaine Metz’s long throw was helped on by Calvin Smith, and Dale Pearson did the rest, smashing it into the roof of the net.
It was the big striker’s 11th goal in 12 games this season, and he nearly had another in added time, but had the ball whipped off his toe by the alert Harkess after a glorious pass over the top.
It remained 1-1 at half-time, but Consett were indebted to Hayes for keeping it that way 10 minutes into the second half, making a fine diving save from Bird.
Larkin and Purewal both had chances to put Consett ahead, but Ryhope remained a danger on the break.
The Steelmen got the winner in the 80th minute, when the ball fell to Luke Carr just outside the box and he beat Harkess with a well-struck low drive.
Hayes saved again from Ellis as Ryhope threw everything at the visitors in a bid to grab a point, but it was Consett sub Stephen Callen who came closest to getting on the scoresheet, as his near-post effort from Larkin’s pullback was blocked.
When the final whistle went it was the big Consett contingent in the crowd of 217 who were celebrating.
It was quite a night for matchwinner Luke Carr No 10. A hard-working performance earned him man of the match plaudits from many fans, and he needed treatment after being felled by a stray arm.
He also ‘took one for the team’ by collecting a stoppage-time yellow card to prevent Ryhope mounting one last raid on the Consett goal. But his celebratory beers will have to wait – he was straight off to night shift!
- Full match report and more pictures to follow.
Consett extend lead at the top by beating stubborn Whitley Bay
Consett extended their lead at the top of the Northern League 1st Division to four points today after beating Whitley Bay 3-0 at Belle View Stadium.
The result maintained the Steelmen’s excellent average of scoring three goals a game, but the game was into its closing stages before they secured the points against a stubborn visiting side.
Indeed, Consett were grateful to goalkeeper Kyle Hayes for two excellent saves early in the second half, when the score was 0-0.
The Seahorses arrived in 12th place, but had conceded only eight goals in seven games – one fewer than Consett.
Sure enough, they proved hard to break down, and gave as good as they got in a tight first half.
The closest Consett came to a goal was on 25 minutes when super work by Jermaine Metz down the right saw Stephen Callen’s effort saved at point-blank range by Bay keeper Dan Lister, pictured below.
Lister was in action again four minutes before the break, tipping over Dale Pearson’s well-struck effort, to ensure the half-time score was 0-0.
Hayes produced the first of his big saves just a minute into the second half, getting a good strong hand to Jason Chanayire’s shot, and eight minutes later he stood up well to save from Richard Coulson.
The importance of the saves was emphasised in the 58th minute, when Consett took the lead. A defender clipped the heels of Callen as he chased a great Calvin Smith pass into the box, and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.
Dale Pearson, who missed from the spot last week against Thornaby, stepped up to take the kick, and although Lister got a hand to the ball, he couldn’t keep it out. It was the big striker’s 10th goal in 11 games this season.
It took until the 83rd minute for Consett to make the game safe, and it was a great moment for young centre-back James Metcalfe, whose glancing header from Jake Orrell’s left-wing corner made it 2-0, pictured top.
Five minutes later it was 3-0 when sub Darren Holden played in Luke Carr, whose 20-yarder was helped in by a big deflection which left the keeper flat-footed, pictured below.
With second-placed Thornaby losing 5-0 at home to a West Auckland side who suddenly seem to have clicked, the win extended Consett’s lead at the top to four points.
Next up for the Steelmen is a visit to Ryhope CW’s Recreation Ground on Tuesday night. Kick-off is 7.30pm.
- Full match report and more pictures to follow.
Four-goal first-half blast at Benfield takes Consett back to the top again
Four goals in a breathless 17-minute spell paved the way for a 4-2 win at Newcastle Benfield tonight which saw Consett return to the top of the Northern League.
In typical Consett style they came from behind to do it, went in 4-1 in front at half-time, and had to fight a determined rearguard action in the second half.
Dale Pearson was unlucky not to open the scoring after six minutes when he ran onto a long ball, but his shot came back off the post with the keeper beaten.
Veteran striker Paul Brayson – who else? – gave Benfield the lead on 24 minutes, finishing from close range after good work by Cyril Giraud and Sam Walton down the left.
But Consett were level on 31 minutes when Jermaine Metz made a great run into the box, Pearson kept it alive as defenders flung bodies in the way, and Jake Orrell, pictured top, fired home for 1-1.
On 40 minutes the Steelmen took the lead, after Metz once again burst into the box, and Dale Pearson stabbed out a foot at his cross – or was it a shot? – to convert from six yards. It was the in-form striker’s 9th goal in 10 games this season.
Two minutes later it was 3-1, as Stephen Callen beat the Benfield goalkeeper to left-back James Martin’s cross to head into his unprotected net.
The third minute of added time at the end of the first half saw Consett score again, as Calvin Smith headed in Luke Carr’s right-wing corner.
If Benfield were shell-shocked by going in 4-1 down they didn’t show it, and they really upped the pressure on their visitors in a proverbial game of two halves.
They got a goal back on 56 minutes when Cyril Giraud cut in from the left, beating two men, before firing a low shot past Kyle Hayes at his near post.
Benfield enjoyed a lot of the ball without creating too many clear-cut chances, and it took Consett until the 72nd minute to have their first goal attempt of the half, Carr firing wide from 25 yards.
Callum Guy then forced a good save from keeper Alfie Gordon, and Arjun Purewal headed wide from Metz’s cross.
The best chance of all to wrap the points up came in the 80th minute, when the pass of the game from Carr sent Pearson clear, but the keeper made an excellent save.
There was a late scare when Benfield sub Archie Leonard beat his man and the onrushing Hayes to the ball, but his shot from a tight angle rolled wide of the far post.
When the final whistle went Consett had three well-earned points in the bag, which was enough for them to overtake Thornaby and return to the top of the table.
- Full match report and more pictures HERE.
Consett back on top after battering Bishop Auckland
Consett returned to the top of the Northern League Division One tonight after thumping Bishop Auckland 5-0 at Belle View Stadium.
Strike pair Dale Pearson and Stephen Callen helped themselves to two goals each and skipper Arjun Purewal was also on the scoresheet as the Steelmen dominated from start to finish.
The result leaves Bishops fourth-bottom, and it’s no exaggeration to say they have their goalkeeper to thank for preventing the scoreline being double figures.
Consett took control from the start, and Stephen Callen opened the scoring after just two minutes, stretching to reach Dale Pearson’s ball to the back post, pictured below.
The only surprise was Consett took until the 33rd minute to score again, Arjun Purewal netting with a thumping header, pictured top, from Luke Carr’s free-kick from the right.
A minute later it was 3-0, as Consett broke quickly from defending a corner. Jermaine Metz found Callen, whose pass left Dale Pearson running clear on goal, and he held his nerve to claim his sixth goal of the season.
Six minutes before half-time a superb crossfield pass by Calvin Smith picked out Pearson on the left, and he was denied by the fingertips of Nick Liversedge, as the Bishops keeper pulled off a superb save, with Callen inches away from converting as he slid in at the back post.
Three minutes into the second half Consett almost made it four when excellent work by James Martin and Pearson set up Callum Guy, who smashed a shot against the bar from 18 yards.
On 59 minutes Martin surged into the box after being sent clear by Pearson’s clever backheel, but was denied by a superb save by Liversedge as it headed for the top corner.
There was nothing the keeper could do, however, when Consett made it 4-0 from the resulting corner, Jake Orrell’s kick picking out Stephen Callen to stab home his second of the game from six yards.
The Steelmen were rampant, but Liversedge stood firm, saving twice from Carr, denying Callen his hat-trick at point-blank range, and making a superb full-length save to thwart Orrell.
Again there was little he could do about the goal which made it 5-0 in the 85th minute, as Carr’s perfect pass sent Dale Pearson clear, and he gave the keeper no chance, scoring his seventh goal in eight games this season.
Consett were able to give young defender Ellis Swinburn his debut for the last few minutes as they continued to lay siege to the visitors’ goal, but a second 5-0 win of the season in front of a crowd of 548 was a perfect response to the weekend’s disappointing FA Cup exit.
Next up for Consett are Thornaby, who could be back on top of the table if they beat Newcastle Benfield tomorrow night. Kick-off at Belle View is 3pm on Saturday.
- Full match report and more pictures to follow.
Depleted Consett suffer FA Cup exit at hands of Bridlington
Consett bowed out of the FA Cup after a below-strength side missing nine players lost 3-2 at home to Bridlington Town at Belle View Stadium.
The Steelmen took the lead against their higher-ranked visitors twice, and dominated in terms of possession and chances.
But they couldn’t hold onto it as the Northern Premier League side twice came from behind and then snatched a winner to progress to the 1st Qualifying Round.
Consett took the lead after nine minutes when recent signing Olly Scott crossed from the left and Stephen Callen volleyed in from six yards, for his first goal for the club.
Dale Pearson hit the post, Callen fired another chance into the side netting and the Seasiders keeper Charlie Dixon made a good save from Jake Orrell as the Steelmen dominated the first half.
They had a let-off in the 39th minute when Bridlington had the ball in the net with their first real attack, but were saved by the linesman’s flag.
Consett hit the woodwork for the second time when Luke Carr’s free-kick on the stroke of half-time missed everuone in the box and came back off the post.
But they were made to pay for missed chances when Bridlington equalised in first-half injury time, Danny Earl going on a run down the left and finishing in off the near post.
A minute into the second half Consett regained their lead. James Martin’s ball through the middle was dummied by Callum Guy, and Dale Pearson took it in his stride before smashing a shot into the net from 20 yards, pictured below.
Incredibly, a minute later it was 2-2 as Andy Norfolk beat keeper Kyle Hayes to a ball down the left, and when his effort came back off the post, Danny Earl scored his second of the game from the rebound.
Consett almost got their noses back in front immediately, as keeper Dixon got the slightest of touches to Callen’s shot, to tip it onto the bar – the third time the home side were denied by the frame of the goal.
The winning goal came on the hour, when Bridlington skipper Pete Davidson went on a surging run and played a neat one-two before firing a low shot past Hayes.
Orrell was denied by another good save from Dixon, pictured top, and Pearson and Martin both fired into the side netting as Consett strived for an equaliser.
But the visitors defended resolutely, their game management was good, and they saw out the rest of the game, to take their place in the next round, despite being distinctly second-best in the first half.
To make a bad day worse for Consett, they were deposed as Northern League leaders by next Saturday’s visitors Thornaby, who beat Penrith 6-2.
Our next game is on Tuesday night, when we play Bishop Auckland in a Division One fixture at Belle View, KO 7.30pm.
- Full match report and more pictures to follow.
Consett win at Whickham takes them back to the top of the table
Consett returned to the top of Northern League Division One tonight after a commanding 2-0 win at near-neighbours Whickham.
The result, and a surprise 1-0 defeat for Newton Aycliffe at Seaham Red Star, means the Steelmen are top on goal difference.
Terry Mitchell’s side put in an excellent performance at the First Mortgage Glebe Sports Ground, despite being without six first-teamers through injury.
It meant a debut for one new signing, Oliver Scott, at left-back, while a second, James Martin, was on the bench.
Consett took the game to their hosts from the start, and Whickham could count themselves lucky not to be reduced to 10 men on 19 minutes when Dale Pearson robbed centre-back Ben Milburn of possession.
The No 6 pulled him back, and was clearly last man, but the referee saw fit to punish him only with a yellow card instead of red.
Two minutes later the lively Dan Marriott tried his luck from outside the box, and was unlucky to see his shot come back off the post, with the keeper beaten.
Consett took the lead on 23 minutes with a stunning strike from Calvin Smith, who let fly from 35 yards, pictured top, giving Jack Norton no chance.
On 36 minutes it was almost two when Stephen Callen played Pearson in, but this time Milburn got back to clear, though Consett claimed the ball had crossed the line.
On 63 minutes the visitors did double their lead when Jermaine Metz played an excellent one-two with half-time sub Callum Guy, before slipping the ball past Norton.
Norton made a good save from Guy’s 25-yarder to prevent him making it three, and Pearson had another effort cleared off the line, which the away fans behind the goal were convinced should have been a goal.
Sub Ryan King’s through ball gave Guy a chance to wrap up the points with a one-on-one three minutes from the end, but he was again denied by Norton.
The final score of 2-0 didn’t come close to summing up how in control of the game Consett were, as keeper Kyle Hayes didn’t have a serious save to make.
Next up for the Steelmen is a home FA Cup tie on Saturday against Bridlington Town, who lost their opening Northern Premier League East game tonight, 2-0 at Yorkshire Amateur.
- Full match report and more pictures HERE.
New boys shine in the sun as Consett beat Blyth Town
Consett’s new signings shone today as the Steelmen won their latest friendly, beating Blyth Town 6-2 in their latest friendly at a sun-drenched Belle View Stadium.
All six goals against the Northern League newcomers came from players who have been added to Terry Mitchell’s squad since the end of last season.
Consett got off to the best possible start, taking the lead after three minutes when Callum Guy picked up the ball 25 yards out and drilled it into the bottom corner to make it 1-0, pictured below.
But Blyth, who will be making their 2nd Division debut this season, responded well, equalising on seven minutes when Jack Fennell touched home a cross from the left.
Midway through the half, with temperatures reaching a sweltering 27C, there was the unusual sight of the referee halting play so the players and officials could have a much-needed drinks break.
The game had hardly had the chance to settle when Consett regained the lead on 27 minutes. Jake Orrell’s excellent ball saw Stephen Callen beat a defender and the keeper to the ball, pictured top. His effort came back off the post, but he followed it in to tap home from no more than a foot out.
Incredibly, within a minute Blyth had levelled again, when another move down the left saw Adam Johnson slide in to finish from close range at the second attempt.
Consett took the lead for the third time on 34 minutes, when another Orrell pass was helped on, and Callum Guy ran through to lob the keeper for his second of the game, the ball going in off the underside of the bar.
Half-time was reached with the score at 3-2, and Consett made their usual raft of changes for the second half, including a first pre-season appearance for Luke Carr.
In the 51st minute Consett were awarded a penalty after Drew Lake was sent tumbling in the box, but Blyth’s sub keeper read Carr’s kick well and saved down at his right-hand post.
The Steelmen didn’t have to wait long to extend their lead, however, as a minute later Charlie Exley played the ball in to Stephen Callen, who smashed home a great strike from the edge of the box to make it 4-2.
In the 56th minute Exley turned provider again with an excellent cross from the left to pick out a trialist striker, who fired home first time with his left foot.
On 62 minutes it was Callen’s turn to be the provider, when his clever lay-off set up Charlie Exley to fire home from 15 yards to make it 6-2.
Another water break midway through the half gave some fresh impetus to tiring legs, and the trialist striker and Dan Marriott went close to adding to Consett’s tally, but at the final whistle the score was 6-2.
- Consett’s next pre-season friendly is on Tuesday, when they visit the 1st Cloud Arena to take on Northern Premier League side South Shields. Kick-off is 7.30pm, and admission is payable at the turnstiles.
