Consett kept their sixth consecutive clean sheet in the league as they came away from their longest trip of the season with a fine 2-0 win over Northallerton Town. The win was far more comfortable than the scoreline suggested, but despite numerous chances and an incredible amount of possession the Steelmen were unable to add to the two goals they scored in the opening 17 minutes.

Ken Lindoe made just one change to the side that administered a 7-0 hammering to Sunderland Ryhope CA in the Durham Challenge Cup in midweek, and that was in goal where Craig Turns returned for the unavailable James Platten.

Steven Johnson lobs the keeper to make it 1-0

Consett took charge straight from the off, and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a well worked goal. Turns sent a big clearance upfield and after a home defender missed his header, Mattie Moffat was able to collect the ball and play it to Steven Johnson in the area. Johnson controlled well before lifting a delicate lob over the advancing keeper to make it 1-0.

Mattie Moffat volleys in Consett's second

Town responded well and Turns had to get down quickly to save a low strike from distance by Lee Lenaghan. However play switched immediately to the other end and Pounder picked out Johnson with a superb 40-yard pass only for the young striker to blaze over.

Consett went closer in the 14th minute when Gary Ormston teed up Craig Robson from 20 yards who forced a full length save from Town keeper Jack Norton. There was nothing he could do about Consett’s second three minutes later though. Moffat rose well to flick a ball on to Johnson who played it back to Moffat and the Steelmen’s leading scorer sent a superb dipping volley from all of 30 yards smashing into the back of the net.

The Steelmen threatened to run away with the game from here on in, however Johnson’s drive over the bar from just outside the area and David Pounder’s ambitious 30-yarder that drifted wide were as close as Consett came to adding to their score before half time.

Half time: Northallerton 0-2 Consett

Quite how Consett failed to increase their tally in the second half is a mystery. Twice in the opening six minutes Consett rattled the frame of the Northallerton goal as the pressure continued. First Craig Robson saw a fine 25 yard strike tipped on to the crossbar by Norton, with Moffat unable to convert the rebound from a tight angle. The Jonjo Dickman pulled the ball back for Moffat whose first time shot clipped the bar and went over.

On 54 minutes Steven Johnson headed Gary Ormston’s cross over, and then Moffat did the same from a Johnson cross as Town’s goal continued to lead a charmed life.

Daniel Earl jabbed a shot just wide for the home side, but that was on a rare foray into Consett territory as for the most part it was one way traffic towards Norton. Seldom in the recent past can Consett have enjoyed so much possession away from home.

Gary Ormston wins an aerial challenge

Pounder went on a strong run down the left and pulled the ball back for Patterson who forced the busy Norton into yet another save. Then from the resulting corner Moffat directed the ball goalwards, seemingly off his back, and Ian Fairlamb cleared the ball to safety with Consett claiming the ball had crossed the line.

Jonjo Dickman fends off a tackle

In the closing stages Town, realizing they were still in the game after 70 minutes under the cosh, had a promising spell in which Turns made two saves from Earl, and another from substitute Luke Bythway.

However the Steelmen ended the game in the ascendancy with Moffat and Pounder both squandering good chances, and in the end a comfortable win and a further extension to their defensive record was a more than satisfactory result from the day’s events. It is now 574 minutes of league football since the Steelmen conceded a goal which should give them good heart as they go into their top of the table clash with Durham City.

Full time: Northallerton 0-2 Consett

JPH