Consett deservedly won through to the Third Round of the Northern League Cup with this hard fought victory against struggling Washington, the decisive goal coming with only nine minutes left on the clock.

Consett’s goalkeeping problems continued with Stuart Kelly working and Andy Colling and James Platten still injured. So Ian Archbold, who normally plays for West Allotment Celtic in the Northern Alliance, made an appearance between the sticks. Gareth McKenna was also unavailable so Steve Smith filled in at right back. Alan Batey made his first appearance of the season in midfield as Chris Hodgson has a foot injury and Andrew Thompson was suspended. Johnny Brown was on the subs bench along with his elder brother Steven who made a welcome return to the squad after a lengthy absence.

There were few chances created in an undistinguished first half. After eight minutes Lavery’s well struck shot for the home side was well held by Archbold. It proved to be Washington’s only worthwhile effort on goal all night as it was Consett who looked the most likely to score from then on.

Scott Wilson was making some good runs from midfield for The Steelmen and he twice was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. After 13 minutes Tony Halliday sent over a great cross from the right to which Wilson only just failed to get a vital touch, then ten minutes later he headed over from six yards from Neil Lowdon’s right wing cross.

Ten minutes before the interval Darren Grimes made a good run to the by-line and cut the ball back to Colin McLeod but his close range effort was deflected for a corner.

Half Time: Washington 0-0 Consett

The Steelmen went close to breaking the deadlock ten minutes into the second period and again it was Wilson who was involved. Ian Davison’s cross was headed out to him 20 yards from goal but his sweetly struck shot hit the upright with Norris beaten. Grimes let fly with a speculative long range effort which didn’t go far wide before Consett were thwarted by Norris when he made a good save to keep out McLeod’s header following a Davison corner.

With twelve minutes remaining Washington were reduced to ten men when Dixon was sent off for a two footed challenge on Jeff Sugden. He had been lucky to stay on the field as long as he had as he had already been booked and had come close on more than one occasion to receiving his marching orders earlier in the game.

Steven Brown replaced Alan Batey and his first act was to float over a free-kick which McLeod got his head to but Norris was again equal to it. But the breakthrough finally came with nine minutes to go when the ball fell kindly to Jeff Sugden, still upfield following a set piece move, who calmly stroked the ball home from eight yards.

The Steelmen almost doubled their lead four minutes later when McLeod again got in a header but the ball was hacked off the line by Hood. Washington barely threatened the unusually solid Consett rearguard and it was the visitors who could have made sure of the victory with three good chances in stoppage time. Grimes shot over from a good position following a good ball from Halliday, then Wilson was again unlucky as his shot was acrobatically saved by Norris. The final act of the match was McLeod’s shot that went wide of the far upright.

Full Time: Washington 0-1 Consett

Consett’s reward for victory is a daunting trip to one of their bogey grounds, Central Avenue, the home of Billingham Synthonia, to be played some time in January.

ANDREW PEARSON