Consett’s Marske jinx continued on Tuesday as they went down to a goal in each half on a bitterly cold night at Mount Pleasant. The Steelmen have yet to beat The Seasiders in a Northern League game and have won only once in 13 encounters in all competitions since United joined the Northern League in 1997.

Consett were down to the bare bones for this game with several players missing. Johnny Brown, Gareth McKenna, Tony Halliday, Steve Smith and Scott Wilson were all unavailable for differing reasons. So youngster Richard Lognonne made his first start for the club on the right side of midfield with Lee Suddes switching to centre midfield.

Consett, kicking with the strong wind in the first half, created the first opening after six minutes. Suddes’ free-kick was deftly flicked on by Jeff Sugden into the path of Colin McLeod, but Macca didn’t get enough power into his shot and it was comfortably saved by Naisbett.

But Marske took the lead five minutes later. Rod Butler lost possession on the Consett left and when the ball was crossed into the middle Ward was impeded by young Lognonne and the referee awarded a penalty. Howes made no mistake with the spot kick.

The home side almost doubled their advantage after 20 minutes when Howes volleyed over from Ward’s cross following a quick breakaway attack. The Steelmen didn’t make best use of the strong wind at their backs and the home keeper wasn’t tested in the first period. The only shot of note that Consett mustered was a long range effort from Andrew Thompson that was deflected wide.

Marske looked the more likely scorers and they almost went two up after 39 minutes when Brown beat two men as he cut in from the byline but he shot over from about ten yards.

Half Time Marske 1-0 Consett

With the wind now in their favour the home side tried their luck with a couple of long range efforts early in the second half, with Woods shooting wide and Brown lifting his shot over the bar.

Consett had long spells of possession and conjured up some good approach play but the cutting edge was missing and the home goal was rarely seriously threatened. Their best chance came after 66 minutes when Chris Hodgson made a good run but his shot was comfortably gathered by Naisbett.

The decisive second goal came with 73 minutes on the clock when Ward let fly with a powerful wind assisted drive that flew past the helpless Stuart Kelly in the visitors’ goal. Consett battled manfully on to the end but Marske comfortably held on for the win.

Full Time Marske 2-0 Consett

ANDREW PEARSON