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Consett stopped the rot after three defeats in a week that killed off their title hopes with a draw, and a much improved performance, against Dunston Federation. The Steelmen dominated throughout and can feel hard done by at not taking all three points.
It was a more familiar looking set of Steelmen for this game with James Platten returning in goal and defenders Carl Piecha and David Johnson returning from suspension and injury respectively. Steven Brown was restored to his more familiar midfield role after serving the last two games in goal.
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David Colvin takes on the defence
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On a bitterly cold and windy night, Consett set the tone for a far brighter performance than of late as early as the fifth minute when David Colvin’s deep cross picked out Andrew Thompson at the back post who shot into the side-netting.
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Mattie Moffat shoots
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Steven Johnson released his strike partner Mattie Moffat with a superb reverse pass, however an uncharacteristically wild finish from the tall striker failed to trouble the keeper.
It was midway through the first half before Fed made any inroads into the Consett area with Steve Preen’s turn and shot being easily saved by Platten. The Consett keeper was more concerned ten minutes before half time when Michael Dixon’s tame effort was diverted goalwards by David Johnson’s heel and Platten had to react well to prevent the softest of own goals.
There was nothing Platten or anyone could do about Fed's 37th minute opener however. Neil Pattinson robbed Andrew Thompson on the edge of the area before unleashing a superb strike into the top corner, as the visitors made one of their few clear-cut chances count. |
Consett almost struck back immediately when Steven Johnson chested down Thompson’s cross but was denied by a super saving tackle from Kane Young, and Fed reached half time with their lead intact.
Half time: Consett 0-1 Dunston
The second half was one-way traffic towards the Fed goal with Platten a virtual spectator at the other end. Mark Patterson shot over from the edge of the area on 55 minutes but on the hour mark the Fed had a double escape. Carl Piecha headed David Pounder’s right wing corner towards goal only to see it headed off the line. The ball then looped up into the air and hit the crossbar on the way down, before being gathered up by the grateful Fed keeper Clark.
Moments later Brown played a one-two with Pounder before unleashing a low left foot drive which Clark scrambled away for a corner. On 65 minutes Cattanach’s attempted header back to his keeper fell short and invitingly to Steven Johnson. With more time than he realized though he attempted a spectacular volley which was well off target. |
Steven Brown with eyes on the ball
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Chances continued to be squandered by the Steelmen and on 71 minutes a neat move ended with Pounder back-heeling the ball into Patterson’s path, but he blazed well wide after the ball appeared to take a bad bobble.
Mark Patterson takes control
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With Consett seemingly unable to make the pressure count, they finally leveled the scores ten minutes from time. Brown’s corner from the left swung in towards goal and although it was stopped on the line by a defender, the ball dropped right at the feet of Patterson who was left with the easiest of tap-ins.
Consett pressed forward in search of a winner and Patterson played a ball through for Brown who shot over the bar under pressure from James Taylor. Then in stoppage Thompson led a counter attack but shot wide, and the spoils were shared.
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Full time: Consett 1-1 Dunston
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