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hitley bay

Consett beat Whitley Bay to make it three pre-season wins in a row

Consett made it three pre-season wins in a row over Northern League opposition tonight as they beat Whitley Bay 2-0 in their latest friendly.

The Seahorses have recruited well under Nick Grey, who took over as manager midway through last season, but the Steelmen scored a goal in each half to claim the win, and a third successive clean sheet.

Andy Coyles’ side have already beaten Birtley Town 8-0 and Northallerton Town 2-0, after losing 4-2 at Berwick Rangers in their first warm-up game.

Zak Atkinson had already had a goal disallowed for offside when Darren Holden gave Consett the lead on 25 minutes, firing home right-footed, pictured top, after a great through ball by Declan Bisset.

Two minutes before the break Bisset looked certain to get his name on the scoresheet when he met a cross from Dan Marriott, but put his header inches wide.

On 56 minutes Marriott almost doubled Consett’s lead with a deft header from Adam Mitchell’s cross, but Bay keeper Dan Lister clawed the ball away.

But he was powerless to stop the hosts make it 2-0 a minute later, with the roles reversed from the first half, as Holden’s right-wing corner picked out Declan Bisset to head home at the far post to make it 2-0.

The usual rash of substitutions saw the game lose some of its momentum in the second half, but the teams served up an entertaining match for the crowd of 203.

Consett confirm eight-game schedule of pre-season friendlies

Consett AFC can today confirm the club’s full list of pre-season friendlies ahead of our first campaign in The Pitching In Northern Premier League (NPL).

There are eight games in all – five at home and three away – ahead of our NPL Division One East bow on Saturday 13 August.

We will receive our league fixtures at the NPL annual general meeting on Saturday June 11, but in the meantime can confirm the following friendly games:

Chairman Frank Bell said: “We’ve had a couple of late withdrawals, including one in the last 24 hours, which has meant having to find new opponents at short notice.

“But we’re happy to now be able to announce a pre-season programme which we believe will prepare us well as we step up to the Northern Premier League.”

We kick off with our first visit since 2017 to Berwick Rangers, who now play in the Lowland League, and we will also face three Northern League sides.

The first is Birtley Town, which brings a swift reunion with Paul Bryson, pictured below, who helped us to promotion as Andy Coyles’ assistant before recently departing for another of his former clubs.

They are followed by Whitley Bay and West Auckland Town, who are expected to be among the league’s leading sides next season.

We face two regular pre-season opponents in Workington and Morpeth Town, both of which will provide good tests. Workington finished second last season in the NPL Division One West, while Morpeth were 10th in the NPL Premier Division.

The last two opponents will provide very tough tests indeed, particularly as the games are both away from home.

Liversedge were last season’s champions of the NPL division we are joining, while our old Northern League friends Marske were runners-up, and join them in the Premier Division for 2022-23 after securing promotion via the play-offs.

Admission prices for the friendlies, along with matchday charges and season ticket details for our league fixtures, will be announced in due course.

On this day: 27 November 2004 – even Sugs can’t halt the slide as Consett hit rock bottom

Managerless Consett suffered a seventh consecutive defeat on this day in 2004 as they lost 2-1 to Whitley Bay at Belle Vue Park.

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On This Day: 8 November 2008 – Consett beat Whitley Bay to return to the top of the Northern League

Consett showed both sides of their Jekyll and Hyde character in a game against Whitley Bay in this day back in 2008.

The Steelmen eventually ran out comfortable 4-1 winners against a Seasiders side who would end the season by scuppering Consett’s title hopes – read more about that here – and recording the first of three consecutive FA Vase triumphs.

When this game took place at Belle Vue Park on Saturday 8 November, Consett were 2nd in the skilltrainingltd Northern League Division One, having been knocked off the top after losing at Chester-le-Street the week before. Whitley Bay were 11th.

Even within this 90 minutes, Consett’s following were treated to a bit of everything, as for the first half an hour they were a distant second best to their visitors. However, for the rest of the game the performance was as good as the previous week’s defeat at Chester Moor Park had been poor.

Consett’s Jonjo Dickman threads a pass against Whitley Bay. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

Whitley had by far the better of the opening exchanges, threatening as early as the sixth minute when Paul Chow’s low shot forced Consett keeper Paul Gilmore into a good save. Gilmore saved the Steelmen again four minutes later, coming out save with his feet from Bruce Hogg who was left clean through when Carl Piecha missed an attempted clearance.

Adam Emson had shot wide under pressure in Consett’s only serious attack of the first third of the game, but the Steelmen were soon under pressure again, with David Coulson – who would go on to have a brief spell at the club a few years later – heading a left-wing corner over the bar.

Consett midfielder Andrew Cuthbertson slides in. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

The inevitable breakthrough came for the Bay on 25 minutes. After Chow saw a shot blocked and loop up into the air, Chris Fawcett held off his marker to lay the ball off to Bruce Hogg, who hammered it into roof of the net.

It was almost 2-0 a couple of minutes later when Paul Robinson’s ball over the top released Chow, but Gilmore came out smartly to tackle the ever-dangerous striker.

Completely against the run of play, Consett found themselves level in the 36th minute. David Pounder’s right-wing corner dropped in the six yard box and after a goalmouth scramble Carl Piecha poked the ball home to make it 1-1.

Carl Piecha, on the far left, is about to score to make it 1-1. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

The goal acted like an off switch for Whitley, who were simply never in the game thereafter. Andy Cuthbertson sent in a fine cross which Steven Johnson headed at Bay keeper Terry Burke, and then two minutes before half-time Consett took the lead. Jonjo Dickman won an important challenge in the Bay penalty area and the ball broke kindly to Emson, who fired home from eight yards.

Adam Emson puts Consett in front, despite a defender’s challenge. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

Emson should have added another on the stroke of half time when he skinned Darren Timmons and bore down on goal, but Burke stopped Emmo’s effort with his legs.

Half-time: Consett 2 Whitley Bay 1

Burke was much the busier of the two keepers in the second half but could only watch thankfully as Emson’s glancing header from Pounder’s wicked inswinging corner flashed wide.

The Steelmen had a scare just before the hour mark when a right-wing corner was only half cleared as far as Chris Fawcett, whose volley arrived at an awkward height, forcing Gilmore to somehow fumble the ball round the post.

Consett’s Adam Emson bursts through, but the Whitley Bay keeper came out on top this time. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

Consett spent much of their time soaking up pressure from their visitors and then hitting them with dangerous attacks, and one such situation midway through the second half resulted in Emson and Johnson up against just one defender, however the attack ended with Johnson shooting harmlessly at Burke.

Another lethal Pounder inswinger almost found the net directly, but Burke tipped it over the bar. Two minutes later though, Consett’s third finally arrived as a result of another counter-attack.

Johnson collected the ball then sent an excellent defence-splitting pass through to the unmarked Emson, who took his chance first time and make no mistake.

Consett midfielder Chris Scott runs at the Whitley Bay defence. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

This stirred Bay out of their slumbers and on 77 minutes Chris Moore – who would later play for and manage Consett – embarked on a brilliant run past five defenders, only to see Gilmore cut out his cross. Five minutes later substitute Lee Kerr fired in a shot, but Chow deflected it over the bar from in front of goal.

Consett added their fourth in the last minute of normal time. Whitley threw everyone up for a corner, but Emson’s clearance set Johnson on a quick breakaway, and despite being on his own he beat a defender and let fly with a shot that had enough pace to cross the line despite Burke getting both hands to the ball.

There was still time for Bay’s Fawcett and Consett’s Johnson to be denied in one on ones, but there was no further scoring and the Steelmen stormed back to the top of the Northern League with this impressive win.

Full-time: Consett 4 Whitley Bay 1

Consett: 1 Paul Gilmore, 2 Karl Baston, 3 Michael Coulthard, 4 Jonjo Dickman, 5 Carl Piecha, 6 Craig Robson, 7 Chris Scott (sub David Scorer 84), 8 Andrew Cuthbertson, 9 Adam Emson, 10 Steven Johnson, 11 David Pounder. Subs not used: Paul Curry, James Platten, Carl Heiniger, Mattie Moffat.

Whitley Bay: 1 Terry Burke, 2 Darren Timmons, 3 Chris Reid (sub Leon Ryan 46), 4 Craig McFarlane, 5 David Coulson, 6 Bruce Hogg (sub Lee Kerr 60), 7 Chris Moore, 8 Damon Robson, 9 Chris Fawcett, 10 Paul Chow, 11 Paul Robinson (sub Mark Taylor 48). Subs not used: Phil Bell, Darren Reay.

On this day in our history: 10 May 2016 – Consett make it 8 out of 10 as they end the season with a win at the seaside

Consett completed their fixtures with a comfortable 3-0 win over Whitley Bay at Hillheads on this day in 2016 – their eighth victory in their last 10 games.

Manager Mark Eccles made two changes to the side which had lost at Marske three days earlier, with Jake Stafford and Nathan Steel coming in for Joe Grant and Michael Sweet. Whitley included two former Consett players, goalkeeper Tom Flynn and midfielder Jake Fowler, who wore the captain’s armband.

The Steelmen dominated from the start, and Jordan Nellis had the first chance after just four minutes, firing wide after being played in by skipper Danny Craggs.

Jordan Nellis had the first chance of the game. Pic: Gary Welford.

Ten minutes later Consett should have taken the lead with a good move. Matty Slocombe’s ball forward was knocked down by Nellis, and Jake Stafford, arriving late, shot wide of the far post.

Craggs tried his luck from 30 yards, but was off target, but the Steelmen didn’t need to try to force the issue, as Whitley had little to offer in an attacking sense.

On the half-hour Stafford had an even better chance when his run into the box was picked out by a deep cross by Nellis, but, with only the keeper to beat, he failed to get his header on target.

Matty Slocombe in control in midfield. Pic: Gary Welford.

In a rare foray at the other end, left-back Chris McDonald let fly from 25 yards, but the shot was a couple of yards wide.

Consett were still creating most of the chances, and Nellis had another when he chested down a half-cleared cross and smashed the ball goalwards, only to find the side netting.

The closing minutes of the half saw almost constant Consett pressure, and Nellis flashed another shot over the top from Jordan Lavery’s cross.

The first half had been largely one-way traffic, and the second proved more of the same.

Nathan Steel (No 9) turns away after his header drops in. Pic: Gary Welford.

A goal only seemed a matter of time, and it came on 59 minutes when good work by Nellis down the left paved the way for Nathan Steel to send a looping header over the helpless Flynn.

Consett’s tails were up, and when Nellis took the ball around the keeper from Lavery’s Crossfield pass, it took an excellent defensive interception to stop him setting up Steel for a second goal.

Whitley did create one good chance, midway through the half, after Consett gave the ball away in their own half, but it was squandered by Scott Prosser, who ballooned his shot over the bar.

A minute later the game was as good as over when Consett went two-up. A quick free-kick on the left flank sent Craggs scampering into the box, and he held the ball up and laid it off until Lavery arrived. Taking it across two defenders, the wide man steered his shot into the bottom corner past the helpless Flynn.

Jordan Lavery makes it 2-0 to Consett. Pic: Gary Welford.

Two minutes later Consett scored again. A fine Calvin Smith pass sent Lavery clear, and although Flynn managed to halt him as he tried to go round the keeper, he managed to keep the ball alive and set it up for Gibbons to thump a low drive home for No 3.

It was almost four in the closing moments when Nellis and Lavery both had shots saved by Flynn, who was just about the only home player to emerge with any credit.

The result lifted Consett to fifth, and although the resurgent Steelmen but were overhauled by Newton Aycliffe and North Shields to finish seventh – two places higher than last season, and tantalisingly close to the pre-season target of a top-six finish.

Nathan Steel lets keepr Tom Flynn know he’s there. Pic: Gary Welford.

Whitley Bay: 1 Tom Flynn, 2 Craig McFarlane, 3 Chris McDonald, 4 Josh Day, 5 Steve Gibson, 6 Callum Anderson (sub 14 Aiden Haley 46), 7 Callum Munro, 8 Jake Fowler (captain), 9 Nikolay Ivanov (sub 13 Dan Gladstone 68), 10 Scott Prosser, 11 Alex Kempster. Subs not used: 12 Ash Davis, 16 Thomas Potter.
Consett: 1 Gareth Young, 2 Matty Slocombe (sub 15 Ryan Cummings 75), 3 Jake Stafford (sub 12 Joe Grant 62), 4 Stephen Little, 5 Dan Hawkins, 6 Lewis Gibbons, 7 Jordan Nellis, 8 Calvin Smith, 9 Nathan Steel (sub 14 Chris Mordue 71), 10 Danny Craggs (captain), 11 Jordan Lavery.

On this day in our history: 3 May 2013 – a win at Whitley Bay at last

Consett won at Hillheads for the first time in eight years, with two goals from top scorer Michael Mackay giving them a 2-0 victory over third-placed Whitley Bay on this day in 2013.

Manager Kenny Lindoe’s teamsheet showed five changes from the side which started the abandoned game against Newcastle Benfield four days earlier, with Chris Elliott, David Brown, Ian Davidson, Andrew Cuthbertson and Aris Guerin-Lokonga coming in for Peter Jameson, Ryan Bell, Carl Piecha, Luke Sullivan and Liam O’ Mahoney.

A sixth change was forced upon him when Anthony Lund was injured in the warm-up, and Steven Aiston came off the subs’ bench to fill the No 11 shirt. The hosts included one ex-Steelman, David Pounder.

Steven Aiston was a late addition to the starting line-up. Pic: Gary Welford.

The visitors kicked off into a swirling wind, and they got off to an ideal start, taking the lead after just two minutes. Michael Mackay was manhandled to the ground by centre-back Chris Reid as he chased a speculative Craig Robson ball into the box, picked himself up and tucked the resulting penalty beyond the dive of Bay keeper Kyle Hayes, despite him guessing the right way.

Michael Mackay converts the early penalty to make it 1-0. Pic: Gary Welford.

Whitley, who are guaranteed a third-place finish, then had two chances in as many minutes to draw level, but Consett’s luck held and their goal remained intact.

First, Michael Pearson got caught in possession outside his own box by Paul Chow, who reached the by-line and seemed to tee up Lee Paul Scroggins for a simple close-range finish, but the midfielder somehow hit the post.

Then Paul Robinson hit a first-time shot from the right corner of the penalty box which Elliott got a vital touch on to turn it onto the opposite upright.

On the quarter-hour Consett had a couple of chances of their own as the game ebbed and flowed. First, Davidson headed straight at Hayes from a left-wing corner, and then Calvin Smith flashed a shot just wide of the far post.

Calvin Smith and Steven Aiston on the attack. Pic: Gary Welford.

The game started to get a bit feisty as half-time approached, and Robinson was perhaps lucky only to be shown a yellow card as he kicked out at Matty Slocombe as the right-back saw a ball out of play.

But the referee then infuriated Consett fans by booking Guerin-Lokonga for handling when he fell on the ball and grabbed it after being fouled. Mackay had a decent chance at one end for Consett and Craig Smith hit one just wide at the other as the half ended in end-to-end fashion.

Consett had the wind behind them in the second period, but they needed no assistance for the goal which doubled their advantage just a minute after the break.

Matty Slocombe was in an unfamiliar right-back position. Pic: Gary Welford.

Mackay cut in from the right, and exchanged passes with Calvin Smith, who laid the ball back nicely into his path. The No 10 took a touch before picking his spot into the top-left corner, beyond Hayes’ despairing dive. It was a fine goal, and one which put the Steelmen in control.

Whitley showed why they are third in the table, however, by creating a succession of chances. Pearson got in a vital tackle on Chow as he shot from Scroggins’ pullback, and Elliott got down well to his left to get a good hand to Robinson’s effort, with Pearson completing the clearance.

Mackay had a chance to complete his hat-trick on 69 minutes when Cuthbertson laid the ball back into his path, but he couldn’t keep his shot down. And Guerin-Lokonga made a vehement appeal for a penalty after going down as he tried to shimmy his way between two Bay defenders, but the ref was having none of it.

Consett keeper Chris Elliott stands up well to save from Paul Chow. Pic: Gary Welford.

Bay made changes, bringing on three sets of fresh young legs, and James Fairley went close to reducing the deficit when he hit a shot across goal from the right.

But still the game ebbed and flowed, and Aiston had a chance to seal it for Consett, but his shot lacked power after he made space for himself from Slocombe’s pass.

Fairley was unlucky not to reduce the arrears on 76 minutes when he chipped the advancing Elliott but saw his shot strike the outside of the post – the third time the Seasiders had hit the woodwork.

Craig Robson takes charge in midfield. Pic: Gary Welford.

Cuthbertson was then involved in two incidents in the space of six minutes which could have affected the outcome of the game. First, he shot straight at Hayes after making space for himself on the edge of a crowded penalty area, and then, a minute into added time, he was adjudged to have handled while defending a corner, and the referee awarded a penalty.

However, Robinson, who had been Whitley’s best player all night, blazed it over the bar. When the final whistle went a couple of minutes later, the Steelmen had perhaps rode their luck a little, but headed home with a well-earned three points which lifted them a place to eighth in the table.

Whitley Bay: 1 Kyle Hayes, 2 Chris Fawcett (sub 14 Kyle Downey 73 mins), 3 Ian Watson, 4 Craig McFarlane, 5 Chris Reid, 6 Craig Smith, 7 James Fairley, 8 Lee Paul Scroggins, 9 David Pounder (sub 15 Dillon Blake 67 mins), 10 Paul Chow (sub 12 Lewis Burns 67 mins), 11 Paul Robinson (captain). Subs not used: 16 Callum Anderson 17 Brian Smith.
Consett: 1 Chris Elliott, 2 Matty Slocombe, 3 David Brown, 4 Andrew Cuthbertson, 5 Michael Pearson, 6 Ian Davidson, 7 Craig Robson (captain), 8 Calvin Smith, 9 Aris Guerin-Lokonga, 10 Michael Mackay, 11 Steven Aiston. Subs not used: 14 David Scorer 15 Jack Stanger 16 Kieran Martin 17 Luke Sullivan.

On this day in our history: 2 May 2009 – Consett come within minutes of clinching their first-ever Northern League championship

Consett came agonisingly close to clinching a first-ever Northern League title on this day in 2009, only for a defeat at the hands of Wembley-bound Whitley Bay to leave their fate in the hands of others.

It all looked so promising as Consett led 2-0 at Hillheads at half-time. However, the Steelmen were left stunned by a spirited fightback by their hosts, culminating in a dramatic late winner.

In front of a crowd of 599, the highest to see a league game involving Consett for many a year, Kenny Lindoe’s side took the field having been dealt a setback even before the kick off. Keeper Jack Norton dislocated a finger during the warm-up, meaning Paul Gilmore was pressed into service between the sticks.

Any thoughts that this might be a nervous encounter with few goalmouth chances were dispelled quite early on. On a sunny spring day with the pitch in immaculate condition, the stage was set for a classic Northern League encounter.

Consett’s David Pounder waits for support. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

Consett were first to threaten when Adam Emson teed up Chris Scott who saw his firm drive from just outside the area saved by Bay keeper Terry Burke.

On the quarter-hour mark Whitley produced their first chance of the game when Adam Johnston, spotting Gilmore off his line, tried an audacious chip from the edge of the centre circle, which went just over the bar.

The game continued in an end-to end fashion and after Emson had sent a David Pounder through ball over the target on 26 minutes, play switched immediately to the other goal as Phil Bell sent a 25-yard daisy cutter inches wide.

It was Consett who finally found the net just before the half-hour mark. There was an element of good fortune about it as a Pounder cross caused problems in the Bay area, and although the keeper got to it ahead of Emson, indecision between Burke and an incoming defender allowed Steven Johnson to fire into the unguarded net.

Steven Johnson, left, celebrates his goal with Andrew Cuthbertson. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

Whitley almost struck back immediately, however Paul Chow shot over under pressure from Carl Piecha. Then on 33 minutes, Burke just beat Johnson to a through ball, with the Consett striker catching the keeper as he cleared, earning a yellow card for the challenge.

Two minutes before the break, a Consett side visibly growing in confidence as the half wore on took what looked like a decisive two-goal lead. Gary Ormston played in Jonjo Dickman, whose shot fizzed across the goal and rebounded off the post. The ball was played back in by Pounder to Emson, who outpaced his marker to make it 2-0 with a great finish.

Adam Emson wheels away after making it 2-0 to Consett. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

Whitley boss Ian Chandler no doubt took the opportunity at half-time to remind his charges that FA Vase final places were by no means guaranteed, and the home side started the second half like men possessed.

They took just four minutes to halve the deficit with a goal of classic simplicity, Paul Chow glancing Lee Kerr’s corner in at the near post.

Consett suddenly looked very vulnerable, and after Johnston had seen a shot from just outside the area deflected wide, Bay drew level in the 57th minute. Johnston drilled in a low free-kick from 20 yards out which took a deflection before Bell stabbed it home from close range.

On 61 minutes another Kerr corner found Chow, who this time directed a free header wide. Consett produced their first chance of the second half soon after when Scott’s trademark 25-yard low drive was stopped by the keeper who couldn’t hold onto the shot, but was able to grab it at the second attempt, with no-one in a red shirt following up.

Consett’s Gary Ormston gets the ball forward. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

The tension was starting to mount as the half wore on, and 15 minutes from time passions boiled over as Kerr and Pounder found themselves in the referee’s notebook following a head-to-head confrontation. Almost immediately after that Emson saw a shot blocked, and although Pounder was first to follow-up he flashed his effort wide.

With the clock running down it looked like the Steelmen might hang on for the point that would have virtually clinched the championship. However, Whitley had other ideas, and six minutes from time substitute Chris Reid broke down the left and played the ball across area to fellow-replacement Chris Moore, who had all the time in the world to control it, pick his spot and break Consett hearts.

Consett’s Adam Emson is outnumbered by Whitley Bay defenders. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

Consett threw everything at Bay in search of that elusive title-winning point, and with the clock ticking round to 90 minutes Emson saw a dipping volley go just over. Then three minutes into stoppage time sub Richard Logan fired in a strike from just outside the box, but Burke got down well to save.

Moments later the final whistle blew on Consett’s season. News filtered through that title rivals Newcastle Benfield had won 5-1 against West Allotment Celtic, which means everything comes down to the last game of the season … Penrith v Benfield on Tuesday night.

The equation was very simple, a win for Benfield meant the title would go to the East End of Newcastle, anything else and Consett were champions. All the folk from Belle Vue could do was cross their fingers and hope.

Paul Gilmore clears as Consett’s goal comes under pressure. Pic: John Paul Hardy.

Agonisingly, the Penrith v Benfield game three days later looked like it was heading for a goalless draw, until seven minutes from time, when Stephen Young snatched a winner for Benfield, to give them their first title, and leaving the men from Belle Vue to ponder what might have been.

And although we were runners-up in three of the next four seasons, and led the table for more than half of the 2018-19 campaign – ironically under the management of Chris Moore, who scored Whitley Bay’s winning goal in this game – we have never been as close again to winning the league.

Whitley Bay: 1 Burke, 2 Anderson, 3 Picton, 4 McFarlane, 5 Coulson, 6 Ryan, 7 Bell (sub Moore 66), 8 Kerr, 9 Johnston (sub Reay 80), 10 Chow, 11 Robinson (sub Reid 70). Subs not used: McLean, Bone.
Consett: 1 Paul Gilmore, 2 David Scorer, 3 Mark Gaffney, 4 Jonjo Dickman, 5 Carl Piecha, 6 David Pounder, 7 Chris Scott, 8 Andrew Cuthbertson (sub Ian Davison 89), 9 Adam Emson, 10 Steven Johnson (sub Richard Logan 77), 11 Gary Ormston. Subs not used: Paul Curry, David Robson.

league cup

Consett drawn at home to Whitley Bay in the next round of the League Cup

Consett have been handed a home tie against Whitley Bay in today’s draw for the League Cup Round of 16.

The Steelmen will face the Seahorses at Belle View on Tuesday, 28 January, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Amazingly, since we joined the Northern League in 1970, the clubs have only met twice in the League Cup.

The first was in the 2nd Round in 2006-07, when we won 6-3 at our old Belle Vue Park ground, and the second was in 2012-13, when we lost 3-1 at Hillheads, at the same stage of the competition.

Michael Mackay helped himself to four goals in the first game, and was also our goalscorer in the second.

The rest of the draw is as follows:

Whickham v Guisborough Town

Shildon v Jarrow

North Shields v Ryton & Crawcrook Albion

West Allotment Celtic v Heaton Stannington or Seaham Red Star

Ryhope CW v Newton Aycliffe

West Auckland Town v Sunderland RCA

Hebburn Town v Thornaby or Newcastle Benfield

Ties to be played January 28/29.

Latest fixture changes mean new dates for Consett away games at Penrith, Shildon and Whitley Bay

The latest round of fixture changes by the Northern League in the wake of the weekend’s FA Vase ties mean new dates for three of Consett’s away games.

The first one is for Saturday, 14 September, when we were meant to be away to Shildon. Their progress in the FA Vase means we will now be away to Penrith (brought forward from 2 November).

Our visit to Dean Street to take on Shildon will now take place on Saturday, 19 October, when we were meant to be away to Whitley Bay.

Finally, the trip to Whitley Bay, which was scheduled for 19 October, will now be on Saturday, 14 March.

Consett batter Whitley Bay but have to settle for a point from Belle View scorcher

Consett had to settle for a point after a 1-1 draw at a sun-drenched Belle View against a dogged Whitley Bay side despite making enough chances to win three games.

The Steelmen had new striker Dale Pearson making his debut up front, and he had the ball in the net on 15 minutes after running on to Jake Stafford’s pass, but was ruled offside.

The Seahorses took the lead against the run of play in the 28th minute when a great run down the left by James Martin saw him set up Adam Shanks to score from close range.

Consett thought they had equalised in the 37th minute when Ross Wilkinson fired home against his former club after the keeper had saved Calvin Smith’s shot, but the defender was flagged offside.

Whitley keeper Dan Lister was in excellent form, and made an outstanding save from Smith in the 62nd minute, flinging himself full-length to his left to palm away a well-struck drive.

Luke had a shot cleared off the line by Thomas Graham-Bage as Consett pressed hard for an equaliser, and Lister denied Wilkinson and then substitute Joe Sloan from close range.

Consett got the goal their pressure deserved in the 74th minute when Darren Holden’s shot crashed back off the post, and Calvin Smith smashed home the rebound, pictured, for his fourth goal of the season.

More chances came and went as Consett pushed for a winner, but the Bay defence and keeper laid their bodies on the line to take home a point.