|
Consett won the battle of the Arngrove Northern League top two on the Archibald Stadium's plastic pitch to progress to the 3rd Round of the FA Vase. The win was, if anything, more impressive than the 3-0 victory in the league three and a half weeks ago.
The Steelmen were unchanged from the eleven that had registered a 4-2 win at West Allotment Celtic seven days earlier to go top of the league. They started slowly though, as the home side pinned Consett back in their own half for most of the early exchanges. A left wing cross from Stewart Morris created problems for Consett on 14 minutes, but it was too high Jamie Clarke to direct on target. |
Craig Turns collects a cross under pressure
|
The visitors opened the scoring somewhat against the run of play in the 18th minute. David Pounder crossed from the right flank and although Mattie Moffat mis-controlled it, the ball broke kindly to Gary Ormston who calmly found the top corner from 12 yards.
|
David Pounder in familiar pose
|
A slick Consett move saw them double their lead just before the half hour mark. Mark Patterson released Steven Johnson through the right channel and his chipped cross was planted into the bottom corner by the head of Moffat.
Four minutes later Consett added a third when Pounder’s right wing corner was flicked on at the near post by Johnson, and Moffat stretched to volley the ball home from close range. |
Durham’s best chance of the first half fell to Tommy English but his strike from the edge of the area was saved at full stretch by Consett keeper Craig Turns. English also saw a free kick from inside the ‘D’ go round the wall but wide of the post
Half time: Durham 0-3 Consett
|
Consett were content to sit on their three-goal cushion in a largely uneventful second period, bringing on John Ewart in place of Steven Brown to enable them to play four at the back.
Morris set up English with another chance seven minutes into the second half but he dragged his shot wide, as Turns continued to have one of his quieter afternoons. |
Steven Brown looks for a pass
|
On 65 minutes Johnson’s brilliant shot on the turn on forced Durham stopper John Mohan to tip the ball over the bar.
|
Michael Coulthard clears upfield
|
Three minutes from time Consett rounded off an impressive victory when Moffat turned inside a defender before rifling a 25-yard strike past the flat-footed Mohan to complete his hat-trick at take his tally for the season to 26.
City might have grabbed a late consolation in stoppage time when John Butler headed a left wing corner down to Steven Richardson, but the substitute’s attempted lob went over the bar.
Full time: Durham 0-4 Consett |
JPH
