
		Consett 0 Guisborough Town 3 Albany Northern League Division 1 Belle Vue Park, Saturday 17 August 2002

Consett:

Colling
McKenna (Smith)
Davison
Butler
Sugden
Brown
Suddes
Wilson
McLeod
Hodgson
Grimes (Thompson)

Guisborough:
Hinchley 6
Jameson 16
Todd 47

Corbett
McClean (J Keegans)
Osborne
C Keegans
Robins
Hinchley
Richie
Bell
Todd (Scott)
Outhwaite
Jameson (Sweeney)

Chris Hodgson fires in a shot but his effort is saved.

A disappointing start to the new season for Consett. The visitors trotted out comfortable winners in the end, and, to crown off a miserable day all round, Scott Wilson (a new signing from Benfield Saints) was sent off on his league debut. 3-0 may have been a bit harsh, given the way Consett fought back after a disastrous start, but the visitors superior finishing was the difference between the two teams.

Alongside Wilson, Consett had a second new signing on show today, Andy Colling an 11th hour recruit to replace the injured James Platten in goal. In addition, Gareth McKenna returned to the side after an ankle injury which had kept him out since Christmas.

Any early season optimism that may have been in the air was pretty soon dispelled. Guisborough were awarded a free kick 25 yards out on six minutes. Assistant manager Gary Hinchley thundered a shot against the bar which cannoned down, hit Andy Colling on the back, and trickled over the line. Ten minutes later it was two as hesitancy at the back allowed Michael Jameson to round the prostrate Colling and run the ball into the net.

Consett did recover from these early blows and can consider themselves unfortunate not to have got at least one back before half time. Within minutes of Guisborough's second Chris Hodgson broke clear and had a firm left foot shot well saved Corbett. In the last 15 minutes of the half Consett really stepped up the pressure. First Rod Butler rattled the crossbar with a shot from just outside the area, then Colin McLeod connected with an excellent Ian Davison cross only to his header flash wide, soon afterwards Gareth McKenna had a shot blaze over the bar after good approach work by Lee Suddes and a lay off by Hodgson. However half time arrived with the Guisborough's two goal lead intact.

Half Time: Consett 0-2 Guisborough

Before The Steelmen had a chance to carry on where they left they found themselves three down. Steven McClean broke well down the right and his excellent cross was converted by Michael Todd.

McKenna's deflected free kick hits the keeper and bounces to safety.

That proved to be the killer blow and for all Consett's efforts they never really looked like scoring thereafter. Guisborough were more than happy to sit back and hit Consett on the break, Colling being called upon several times to make last ditch saves. The home side's best chances came from a fine shot from distance by Davison which Corbett parried to safety, and then with fifteen minutes a missed opportunity which summed up Consett's day. A deflected Davison shot fell to Hodgson six yards out, but his stabbed effort simply popped straight up into the arms of the Guisborough keeper.

Davison (right) sees his goalbound effort parried by Corbett.

With three minutes to go Scott Wilson, who had earlier received a yellow card for persistent foul play, was given a second yellow and subsequent red for a late challenge on Richie. This proved to be final act of what was at times a bad tempered match.

So it would seem on this evidence that pre-season fears of a long hard season may be justified. There were positive signs in this game, especially the number of chances created in the 30 minutes before half time. Also Consett's fighting spirit showed through. However, it's goals and points that count and both tallies are still stuck at zero.

Full Time: Consett 0-3 Guisborough

JPH