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A quick return to winning ways for Consett as they came away from today's top versus bottom clash at Jarrow Roofing with a comfortable 4-1 victory. It was only the Steelmen’s third ever victory at Boldon Colliery and it came exactly six years to the day since their last win at this venue.
Consett made three enforced changes to the side that had lost their long unbeaten record at Billingham Town the previous week. Michael Coulthard and Mark Patterson came in for the injured John Ewart and Steven Brown, whilst James Platten returned in goal for flu victim Craig Turns. |
Mattie Moffat slides in to net Consett's second
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A ridiculously one-sided first half saw the Steelmen create numerous chances but convert only two of them. Mattie Moffat should have opened the scoring in the seventh minute when he latched on to a back-flick from Steven Johnson, but shinned his shot wide with just Roofing keeper Frater to beat. Johnson himself was left with a clear run on goal on the quarter-hour mark but he ran too wide and Frater saved.
The opening goal came from the unlikely source of Craig Robson - the midfielder breaking his Consett duck in his 53rd appearance. Patterson played a free kick into the area which Frater came for and dropped, and Robson sent a delightful 25-yard lob over the keeper’s head and into the unguarded net.
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Michael Coulthard heads away
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For all his culpability on the goal Frater was responsible for keeping the score respectable thereafter, saving well from Johnson and Moffat. Meanwhile the closest The Roofers came to scoring was when Mark Gaffney’s attempted header back to his own keeper was well wide of Platten and thankfully for Consett, also wide of the post.
Consett doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Moffat forced home substitute John Clark's left wing cross from close range. Moffat missed a considerably easier chance in first half stoppage time however, volleying another Clark cross wide from close range.
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Half time: Roofing 0-2 Consett
It was more of the same in the second half as Consett continued to press forward and it was no surprise when the third goal came in the 61st minute. Clark was the provider again sliding a precise ball through the home rearguard to set up Steven Johnson who cut back onto his right foot before slamming home the third from 12 yards.
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Roofing almost responded with a goal within a minute, when Craig Tate’s cross from the right was volleyed just over by Paul Taylor. At the other end some brilliant one touch football involving Gary Ormston and Moffat set up Patterson whose fierce drive went just over the bar.
Shortly after heading a Johnson cross into the side-netting, Moffat scored his second and Consett’s fourth after 76 minutes. Another defence splitting pass, this time from Craig Robson, picked out the tall striker who fired past the despairing dive of Frater to make it 4-0. |
Gary Ormston in full flight
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Former Steelman Craig Tate pulled one back two minutes later when he was first to react to a hopeful ball played into the box and he finished will with the outside of his foot.
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Moffat fends off two defenders
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The game was to take a dramatic twist ten minutes from time with a triple sending off. Mark Gaffney and Roofing's Paul Taylor got into a tangle on the floor, which developed into a prolonged bout of wrestling. For this they both received straight reds, whilst Craig Tate, who had earlier been booked for an altercation with one of his own players, was shown a second yellow for his part in the 20-man melee that ensued.
Consett were unable to add to their tally with a man advantage in to the closing stages, although Ormston and David Pounder both went close. With Durham City being held to a draw at Seaham Red Star, the win extended Consett’s lead at the top of the Division to four points.
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Full time: Roofing 1-4 Consett
JPH
