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Another three points and another clean sheet for Consett as they overcame a spirited Chester-le-Street Town side 2-0 at Belle Vue tonight. With a massive points gap to be made up on runaway leaders Durham, The Steelmen have certainly done their cause no harm by collecting nine points from a third successive win in a week.
The Consett line-up showed a couple of changes from the side that beat Spennymoor 1-0 the previous Saturday. Paul Curry made his first start of the season at the centre of defence replacing the suspended Carl Piecha, while Ken Lindoe changed things up front, opting to start with Steven Johnson in place of David Pounder. |
Steven Johnson looks for support
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In a highly entertaining first half both sides squandered a shed-load of chances. As early as the fourth minute the visitors threatened to take a shock lead when a loose ball broke to Tony Healer, but Craig Turns was equal to his shot. Three minutes later a defence splitting pass from Steven Brown set Steven Johnson in the clear but Chester keeper Liam Connell came out block that attempt.
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Jonjo Dickman fends off a defender
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It was an really open end-to-end start to the game, typified in the ninth minute when Chester's James saw a back post header saved by Turns, only for the Consett stopper to start an immediate counter-atack which ended with Mattie Moffat forcing a good reaction save from Connell.
Consett started to edge ahead, creating the better chances, and Jonjo Dickman's glancing header lacked sufficient pace to beat Connell. However Consett eventually opened the scoring in the 17th minute, Mattie Moffat firing home after a great through ball from Dickman. |
The Cestrians' heads certainly didn't go down after the goal though, and they almost struck back within six minutes when Healer launched himself at Scott Emmerson's shot across goal, only to see his diving header go inches over the bar.
Another swift Consett counter-attack ought to have led to a second goal on 28 minutes, when Brown released Johnson again, however the young striker shot wide after rounding the keeper. Johnson was more accurate with his next attempt, a shot on the turn from six yards out, but Connell was able to save at his near post.
Healer once again caused problems for Consett's makeshift back-line, ghosting in at the back post to send a shot under pressure just over the bar. In typical fashion though Consett swiftly switched play to the other end and Johnson slid in to meet Gary Ormston's cross but the ball went the wrong side of the upright.
In first half stoppage time the busy Connell had to scramble away a mis-hit attempt from Johnson, who had been picked out by a fine cross from David Colvin. Somehow though half time was reaced with just the one gaol having been scored.
Half time: Consett 1-0 Chester |
Mattie Moffat watches his opening goal find the net
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Almost inevitably after such a free-flowing first half, the second period was a pretty drab affair. Neither goal was threatened until the 61st minute when yet another splendid pass from Brown created an opportunity for Moffat. The goalscorer opted to shoot when he might have squared for better placed team-mates and Connell was able to save.
Steven Brown appeals for handball
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Moffat fashioned another chance for himself seven minutes later, cutting inside from a wide right position before sending a venomous left foot strike high and wide of the goal.
As the game entered the final quarter of an hour the Steelmen had a let off when a long throw was half cleared to Glenn Reay who sent a piledriver from distance whistling past the post with Turns beaten. Once again though, Consett hit their visitors with an immediate counter-attack with Ormston finding Moffat at the near post who forced a save from Connell despite the tight angle.
Consett finally made the points safe nine minutes from time when Moffat turned inside Elliott Milburn, and as he bore down on goal was tripped by the Chester centre-half. Moffat himself converted from the penalty spot sending the ball to the keeper's left.
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Chester continued to search for a consolation goal that they would certainly have deserved. Turns had to make a full stretch save from Ellis, and then in the final minute he was called upon again to save from Danny Craggs. Consett held on though, to register a second clean sheet in a row, a feat they hadn't previously managed since mid-November.
Full time: Consett 2-0 Chester
JPH |
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