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Nicholson
slams his penalty into the roof of the Consett net.
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In front of what was easily Consett's biggest crowd of
the season, this was, on the face of it, a good point
achieved against last season's Northern League Runners Up.
However the home side can have every reason to consider this
two points dropped as they were denied what would have been
a deserved victory by a late Tow Law penalty. Today's
game was notable for the 500th appearance in Consett colours
of striker Colin McLeod, and both teams formed a guard of
honour to welcome him onto the pitch. He led the
Consett line alongside the returning Tony 'Tiger' Halliday,
with Scott Wilson, another midweek absentee, also restored
to the starting line up.
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The visit of Tow Law is
about as near as Consett get to a local derby and certainly the
match was played in a competitive spirit throughout. Both teams
started well and Tow Law could have taken the lead as early as the
7th minute when Andy Allen did well to get over the top of a high
bouncing ball, but his volley went just wide. Most of
Consett's early chances seemed to be falling to Scott Wilson, and in
a 10 minute spell he could have had a hat-trick. First a waist
high volley from the edge of the box went close, then a lob from
distance had Sams scrambling, and finally a 20 yard effort was
deflected into the arms of the grateful keeper.
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The Steelmen's best
chance of the half came on 31 minutes when a right wing cross found
its way to Andrew Thompson just inside the area, however he opted to
strike it first time when under no pressure and blazed over.
On the stroke of half time the Lawyers had two good chances to open
the scoring. A long solo run from Paul Richardson took him
into the Consett area but he was unable to provide the finish when
Stuart Kelly came out of his goal to narrow the angle, as he shot
well wide. Moments later Kraig Wilkinson found himself in a
similar position but he shot straight at Kelly.
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Halliday
rounds the keeper but finds the side netting.
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Half Time: Consett 0-0
Tow Law
Three
minutes into the second half it was Consett who took the lead.
Lee Suddes took a corner from the left wing, which was flicked on,
and found Colin McLeod at the back post. He celebrated his
500th appearance in style by controlling the ball well before
drilling it into the Tow Law net, giving Sams no chance.
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Thompson
shows composure on the ball.
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Having taken the lead, Consett totally dominated
the second half creating several chances to extend their lead.
In the 55th minute Neil Lowdon's fine header from a right wing
corner was unfortunately directed straight at the keeper.
Ten minutes later a trademark Thompson run from midfield resulted
in him shooting just wide from the edge of the area.
Tow Law very nearly gifted Consett their second on
74 minutes when a poor back pass by David Bellamy was intercepted
by Halliday. He rounded Sams but could only find the side
netting from a narrow angle. Moments later Bellamy was
substituted!
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Still
Consett pressed forward to try and seal the game with the
all-important second goal. Eight minutes from time Thompson
again went on a mazy run down the left wing and his superb cross
found Halliday arriving in front of goal. Unfortunately
though, Tiger could only apply the faintest of touches and ball ran
wide.
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The Steelmen were made
to rue their missed chances in the 85th minute when substitute Scott
Thompson nudged the ball past Rod Butler and then went down under
his challenge in the area. It seemed a harsh penalty award but
Scott Nicholson made no mistake from the spot, blasting the kick
high to Kelly's right.
With Tow Law having seized the initiative, the home side found
themselves hanging on for the point in the closing stages.
Consett's fortunes took a turn for the worse when, deep into
stoppage time, Stuart Kelly was shown the red card, presumably for
something he said to the referee as he was preparing to take a goal
kick. In the end though, just as they were at Ironworks Road
in August, the spoils were shared.
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'Tiger
' holds off a Tow Law defender.
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Full Time:
Consett 1-1
Tow Law
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