Tag: Thomas McAloon

Consett suffer first pre-season defeat at hands of Pickering Town

Consett tasted defeat for the first time in their pre-season programme today when they narrowly lost 2-1 at home to Pickering Town.

The Northern Premier League side scored twice in the first half, and although the Steelmen got one back after the break, they couldn’t find an equaliser.

Consett fell behind in the 19th minute when Pickering skipper Wayne Brooksby picked out Leon Osbourne, who finished powerfully past Kyle Hayes.

And the Pikes doubled their lead right on half-time when Brooksby headed a deep cross back into the danger area, it was flicked on by Osbourne, and Jackson Jowett was on hand to nod in from close range.

Consett came out for the second half full of attacking intent, and created more chances in the first five minutes than they had in the whole first half.

They got a foothold back in the game in the 73rd minute when the referee judged that Thomas McAloon had been fouled just outside the box, and Calvin Smith swept the resulting free-kick into the top corner.

Their best chance of an equaliser came in the 88th minute, when an excellent pass by sub Daniel Marriott put Michael Mackay through, but defender Ben Etherington saved the visitors with a superb last-ditch challenge, pictured top, just as the veteran striker pulled the trigger.

  • It was a good awayday for the Pikes, as their Under-19s beat Consett U18s 4-1 in a friendly before the first teams met.

Consett stretch their unbeaten run to 19 matches with a 5-0 win at Thornaby in a game full of landmarks

Consett made it 19 games unbeaten today with a 5-0 win in their first league visit to Thornaby in 15 years – and it was a game full of landmarks.

The first was a 30th goal of the season in the same number of games for big striker Dale Pearson. After a nip-and-tuck first half-hour at Teesdale Park he was fouled as he tried to go past centre-back Nathan Guru in the 31st minute, and picked himself up to score from the penalty spot.

Pearson almost doubled the lead early in the second half when he rounded the keeper, but left-back Scott Howes to make a brilliant clearance off the goal-line.

But the Steelmen did make it 2-0 in the 64th minute when Calvin Smith became a member of the select band to have scored 50 goals for the club. The midfielder picked the ball up 25 yards out and left fly with a decent right-footed effort, pictured above, which crept under Thornaby keeper James Dawson.

Scott Howes was then lucky to stay on the field when he was shown just a yellow card for a late challenge on Pearson, who had to be helped off the field.

Consett were well in control, but the final scoreline had a slightly flattering look as they again showed their ruthless side, scoring three goals in four minutes in the closing stages of the game.

First, centre-back Ross Wilkinson fired home from close range in the 81st minute as Jake Orrell’s right-wing corner ricocheted around the box.

A minute later substitute Thomas McAloon recorded his own personal landmark moment, scoring his first goal for the club by robbing the last defender of possession before slipping the ball past Dawson for 4-0.

And in the 84th minute Michael Mackay, who had replaced Pearson, got his first goal since returning from injury, deflecting a shot past the keeper to make it 5-0. It was the club legend’s 321st Consett goal.

It was almost six when Ali Alshabeeb set up Mackay with four minutes to go, but this time Dawson saved with his legs to deny the evergreen striker.

That’s 14 goals in four days for Consett, who remain fourth in the table, six points behind both second-placed Shildon (2nd), who they have a game in hand on, and are yet to play at home, and third-placed Hebburn Town, on whom they have two games in hand.

  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.

Consett take control of their League Cup group with a win over Bedlington Terriers

Consett went top of Group D in the League Cup tonight with a comfortable 3-1 away win at 2nd Division Bedlington Terriers.

A dominant first-half performance laid the foundations for the victory in the Steelmen’s first visit to Dr Pit Welfare Park since April 2016.

Andrei-Ardelean opened the scoring on 15 minutes with his first goal in 10 games, controlling Jake Stafford’s ball into the box superbly before turning and shooting into the far corner.

A minute later Calvin Smith made it 2-0, firing home from the edge of the box, with his shot beating the keeper with the aid of a wicked bobble. It was the midfielder’s 9th goal of the season – his best-ever tally for the club.

Just before half-time, recent signing Jake Orrell – making his first start after being given his debut as a sub at Stockton on Saturday – made it 3-0.

Jermaine Metz was fouled out wide on the right, and with everyone waiting for Orrell to deliver the free-kick into the box, he spotted a gap at the near post, and beat the keeper from an acute angle.

Jake Orrell accepts the congratulations of his teammates after his free-kick made it 3-0.

Consett had chances to increase their lead in the second half, most notably when Ardelean rolled a shot inches wide after drawing the keeper, pictured, while Orrell hit the bar with a follow-up after unselfishly setting up Ardelean and seeing his initial effort blocked by the keeper.

Substitute Leighton Hopper grabbed a consolation goal for Bedlington in the 88th minute when a long clearance from the keeper sent him clear, and he kept his cool to fire past Kyle Hayes to make the final score 3-1.

Thomas McAloon played the full 90 minutes in his first appearance since rejoining Consett, while latest signing Wouter Verstraaten came on at half-time for his debut.

League Cup - Group D

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  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.