Tag: west auckland

west auckland

Consett’s winning run comes to an end as West Auckland are saved by the woodwork

Consett’s winning run against Northern League opponents came to an end today when they lost 2-0 at home to West Auckland Town in their latest pre-season friendly.

The visitors, who will be one of the favourites for promotion this season, scored a goal in each half in a full-blooded Belle View encounter in front of 204 spectators.

Skipper Matty Slocombe in particular seemed to relish the midfield battle, exchanging some crunching challenges.

The Steelmen named just four of the starting XI from the game v Whitley Bay on Thursday night. One of them was Adam Mitchell, who was facing his old club, while the visitors’ line-up included Scott Heslop, who swapped Consett for West in the summer.

Consett found themselves behind after just four minutes, when West left-back Andre Bennett played in Cieran Jackson, who fired across keeper Mark Foden into the far corner.

It was half an hour before Consett had a chance of note, when Cyril Giraud turned his marker inside out and saw his shot blocked, and Karl Byrne fired the rebound wide after cleverly teeing himself up.

Danny Craggs had a chance to level with one of his trademark free-kicks in the 34th minute, but his effort from 22 yards was just too high.

A minute before half-time Leon Scott’s first-time shot from a right-wing cross hit the post, and West, who’d had the better of the play, went into the break 1-0 to the good.

Eight minutes into the second half they doubled their lead in slightly fortuitous circumstances. Corey Nicholson’s ball in from the right found Charlie Hindson, and Foden saved his initial effort well, but the ball bounced back off the forward and fell kindly for him to make it 2-0 with a tap-in.

On 64 minutes Consett could count themselves unlucky not to reduce the arrears when Byrne collected a crossfield ball, cut inside and curled a shot past West keeper Jordan Harkess, but saw it clip the base of the post and spin out, pictured top.

On 84 minutes the home side were again denied by the woodwork, when Adam Mitchell’s free-kick hit the post, struck the diving Harkess on the back, and was inching towards the goal when the keeper recovered in time to stop it crossing the line.

After a disappointing first half the Steelmen were much improved after the break, and could perhaps count themselves unlucky not to have got a draw against a very strong West team who kick off their league season next week.

  • Full match report and more pictures HERE.
adam mitchell

Consett boost attacking options by signing midfielder Adam Mitchell from West Auckland

Consett AFC are delighted to announce the signing of one-time Sunderland professional Adam Mitchell from West Auckland Town.

The 28-year-old has agreed terms to become a Steelman after five seasons at West, in which he scored 18 goals in 98 appearances.

One of them was an absolute screamer which he put into the top corner from 25 yards when West beat Consett 3-1 at the Wanted Stadium last September.

He’s a player who’s been on Consett’s radar for some time, and Chairman Frank Bell said he’s delighted to have finally got his man.

Adam began his career as a schoolboy at Sunderland, and made his way through the ranks until he made his debut for the first team at Tottenham in May 2013.

He was a regular in the reserves in 2013-14, but was loaned out to Darlington near the end of the season, and eventually released.

After trials at several clubs he signed a two-year contract with Darlington, where he made 109 appearances, scoring 14 goals, and then had a year with Spennymoor Town, helping them win promotion to the National League North.

He joined West Auckland in August 2017, initially on loan, before making the move permanent. He was part of the team which won the Durham Challenge Cup in 2021.

Adam is the fourth signing of the summer, after striker Zak Atkinson, midfielder Declan Bisset and defender Callum Elliott, who all joined from Whickham.

Two more of our promotion-winning squad, Dan Marriott and James Martin, have agreed contracts with the club, with several others already tied down.

west auckland

Consett come from behind twice to beat West Auckland and line up semi-final trip to Ashington

An injury-time goal from veteran striker Colin Larkin gave Consett’s season a much-needed lift tonight as they twice came from behind to secure a cup semi-final place by beating West Auckland Town 3-2.

Andy Coyles’ side put in their best performance for weeks against the same visitors who they had ground out a 1-0 win over in the league seven days earlier.

The result means Consett travel to Ashington for a Division One Cup semi-final on Tuesday 12 April – four days before they complete their league fixtures with a game against the same opponents at Belle View Stadium.

Consett were the better side in the first half, and it was against the run of play that West Auckland took the lead on 38 minutes, as Ross Wilkinson headed the ball into his own net under challenge from Gary Brown as they contested a free-kick.

A minute later Consett were level, from another set play. Jake Orrell played the ball in from the right, Wilkinson did well to keep it alive in a melee of bodies, and Alex Francis fired home from close range against one of his old clubs, pictured below.

west auckland
Alex Francis makes it 1-1 in a goalmouth scramble. Pic: Gary Welford.

However, parity lasted just three minutes, as Francis went from goalscoring hero to villain, tripping Jordan Blinco to gift West a penalty, which Arron Thompson converted.

It remained 2-1 at half-time, but Consett, whose football was much more fluid than in recent weeks, were back on the front foot right from the start of the second half, creating chance after chance.

Dan Marriott fired just wide, David Dowson had a shot cleared off the line after the keeper dropped a corner, and Orrell’s 20-yard free-kick hit the post as the Steelmen poured forward.

The pressure was rewarded on 65 minutes when Luke Carr’s excellent pass picked out Calvin Smith‘s run to the back post, and he tucked the ball under the keeper to make it 2-2, pictured below.

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Calvin Smith finishes under the keeper to make it 2-2. Pic: Gary Welford.

There was a let-off for Consett in the 69th minute as West’s top scorer Blinco failed to convert from close range, but just as the game looked like it was heading for penalties there was one final twist.

In the first of three minutes of added time, Orrell’s corner from the right caused chaos in the West box, and Colin Larkin pounced on the loose ball, turned and fired home his 16th goal of the season to take Consett through.

It was just reward for a fine team performance, where every player showed their battling qualities against tough opponents, as well as playing their best passing game for quite some time.

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

Consett’s hopes of a double date at Wembley go West as they suffer FA Vase KO

Consett’s hopes of making it to Wembley twice in one season were shattered today when they lost to West Auckland Town in the FA Vase 3rd Round.

The Steelmen, who are still waiting to play last season’s final, were beaten 2-1 at Belle View Stadium, despite dominating the opening period.

They could have already been three up by the time Dale Pearson put them ahead in the 15th minute with his 16th goal of the season, finishing from 12 yards after great work on the left by Darren Holden.

But West turned the game on its head with two goals in six minutes. They levelled in the 17th minute through Consett old boy David Dowson.

And in the 23rd minute their captain Jamie Harwood headed home from Michael Hoganson’s corner to make it 2-1 to West.

In the 35th minute things got worse for Consett when they lost influential playmaker Luke Carr with a dislocated shoulder after a heavy challenge by Gary Brown.

Just before half-time a great run and cut back by Jermaine Metz set up sub Matty Cornish, but West’s debutant keeper Decklan Greenwood made a good save.

Ten minutes into the second half the keeper – signed yesterday from Brandon United – made an even better save from Pearson’s well-struck shot.

Midway through the half Consett had Holden sin-binned for something he said to an official, and West almost took advantage of their extra man, with Kyle Hayes making a fine save to deny Jordan Blinco.

Matty Slocombe then cleared off the line from Dowson’s header from a corner as Consett found themselves on the ropes.

Even after Holden returned to the action, Consett found themselves unable to find an equaliser, and after six minutes of added time it was West who progressed to the last 32.

  • Full match report and more pictures to follow.

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.

Season ticket holders get first option to secure their place at Consett v West Auckland FA Vase tie

Consett season ticket holders are being invited to book their place at next weekend’s big FA Vase tie v fellow Northern League side West Auckland Town.

The 3rd Round game is at Belle View Stadium on Saturday, December 19, with a 3pm kick-off.

Tickets go on sale at 9.15am on Monday, December 14, priced £7 for adults, £5 for OAPs and £2 for under-16s.

A limited number will be available in person from the club or by phoning (01207) 588886. Contact details must be taken for track and trace purposes.

Any remaining tickets will go on general sale on Wednesday, however, the number available could increase, depending if the North East is moved from Tier 3, which the Government is due to decide that day.

The teams have already met at Belle View this season in the league, with Consett winning 3-2 back in September.

Consett draw fellow Northern League side West Auckland in FA Vase 3rd Round

Consett were today handed a home tie against fellow Northern League Division One side West Auckland Town in the FA Vase 3rd Round.

The game will take place at Belle View Stadium on Saturday, December 19, with a 3pm kick-off.

However, it is not known at present if spectators will be allowed to attend, due to the North East being subject to Tier 3 Covid-19 restrictions.

The clubs have already met in the league this season, with Consett winning 3-2 at Belle View back in September. This will be our first-ever meeting in the FA Vase.

Like ourselves, West have just entered this season’s Vase, due to their exploits last season, when they reached the 5th Round. They progressed on Saturday with a 4-1 win at North West Counties League side 1874 Northwich.

Luke Carr is Consett’s matchwinner again as they edge out bogey team West Auckland

Luke Carr was Consett’s matchwinner for the second game in a row tonight as they beat West Auckland Town 3-2 at Belle View to make it three wins in three league games and stretch their unbeaten run this season to seven.

But the Steelmen had to come from behind to do it, after going a goal down early on for the second Division One match in a row.

The game was only two minutes old when they conceded a free-kick on their left, which was swung in by Anthony Bell, and Jamie Harwood headed West into the lead.

On nine minutes it was 1-1 when a great piece of control and superbly weighted pass by Dale Pearson left Calvin Smith with just the keeper to beat, and he obliged.

In the 20th minute Consett went ahead after another well-worked move, when a corner was played low into the box and Dale Pearson fired home into the far corner.

Luke Carr almost made it three in the 28th minute when his curling effort brought a superb full-length diving save from ex-Consett keeper Tom Flynn in the West goal.

It remained 2-1 at half-time, but within three minutes of the restart West were level. Flynn pumped a long clearance downfield, and a mistake in the Consett defence let in Jordan Blinco, who ran through to score.

Flynn beat out a well-struck effort from Carr, and Consett had a decent penalty shout turned down after Ali Alshabeeb seemed to be felled by Gary Brown, but they got what turned out to be the winner in the 58th minute.

Good work by Jermaine Metz set up Luke Carr, who fired home a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the box, pictured top, leaving Flynn helpless.

Bell had a chance to level the scores on 67 minutes, but his shot drifted wide, while at the other end Flynn twice denied Pearson to deny Consett the comfort of a two-goal cushion.

  • Full match report and more pictures HERE.

Matchday guidance: How supporters can stay safe and help everyone else do the same at Belle View

Consett return to action tonight with a league game against West Auckland at Belle View Stadium – and several new measures will be in place to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

Since our last home game a week ago, the maximum number of supporters allowed into the ground has been reduced to 150 by Durham FA.

This means that only Consett AFC season ticket holders, plus a handful of people who had already bought tickets for the game, will be able to gain admission (along with club officials, those with essential matchday roles, and press). If you do not fall into one of these categories, please do not turn up hoping to gain admission.

Upon arrival at the ground, your temperature will be taken, and your details checked against the manual track and trace system which we have had in place for several weeks.

Supporters with mobile phones are also asked to download the NHS Track and Trace app before they arrive, and scan the QR code upon entry into the ground. It is displayed in several places, to prevent bottlenecks forming.

Face masks must be worn at all times (washable Consett AFC branded masks are available in the ground for £5), and everyone will be asked to sanitise their hands, practise social distancing from anyone not in their household or support bubble, and spread out around the ground.

Food and drinks will be available from the serving hatch and the mobile can van. You should only congregate with people from your household or social bubble. Toilets should be used on a one-in, one-out basis.

Tickets will be on sale to season ticket holders for Saturday’s FA Cup game at Marske, priced £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £3 for children. The game is all-ticket and Consett have received an allocation. Please do not attempt to buy tickets direct from Marske.

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.