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.
Continue reading “Consett get an excellent win on their travels at third-placed Stocksbridge Park Steels”
Next up for Consett is the trip on Saturday, 4 February, to Stocksbridge Park Steels FC – another new ground for us as we continue our adventure in our first-ever Northern Premier League season.
They play at the Look Local Stadium, Bracken Moor Lane, Stocksbridge, Sheffield, S36 2AN.
It has been their ground since they formed in 1986. Before that it was the home of Stocksbridge Works and before that Stocksbridge Church.
The ground has a capacity of 3,500, with 450 seats. The main stand seats came from Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium. The clubhouse is within the Bracken Moor Sports & Social Club.
One side of the ground directly adjoins a cricket pitch, so the club was required to erect a dividing fence to gain entry to the Northern Premier League. The ground has hosted numerous local finals, and is regarded by many as the best non-league ground in South Yorkshire.
The usual limited number of spaces will be available on Consett AFC’s official coach to the game, priced £20. These can be booked at the clubhouse and must be paid for in advance.
We have already met this season, when Stocksbridge – who are 3rd in the table, level on points with 2nd-placed Stockton Town – won 2-1 at Belle View on 1 November.
If you’re making your own way to the game, it’s a journey of 125 miles, which should take about 2 hours 15 minutes. Head south on the A1(M), following the right fork for the M1 when the road splits. At Junction 36 take the A61 exit for Sheffield (North)/Barnsley. At the roundabout take the third exit onto the A61. At McDonalds roundabout take the third exit onto the A616, signposted Manchester.
Follow the road for about 6 miles then take the Stocksbridge West exit. Continue about 1.5 miles until you reach the shopping centre, then 300 yards past the centre you’ll see Gordons Autos on your left. Turn right directly opposite onto Nanny Hill, and continue up the hill for 500 yards. The ground is on the left.
Admission is £8, with £5 for concessions, and under-12s are admitted free.
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).
Dates have been confirmed for three forthcoming Consett fixtures – two at home and one away.
The Durham Challenge Cup 1st Round tie v West Auckland will take place at Belle View Stadium on Tuesday, 11 October, kick-off 7.45pm.
This game is not covered by season tickets.
The away NPL Division One East game at Worksop Town, which was postponed on 17 September due to their involvement in the FA Cup, will now be on Tuesday, 18 October, with a 7.45pm KO.
And our home game v Stocksbridge Park Steels, which was due to take place this coming Saturday, 1 October, has also been postponed, as they are hosting Ashington in the FA Cup on that date.
It will now take place at Belle View Stadium on Tuesday, 1 November, again with a 7.45pm kick-off.
