Consett’s longest ever travel in the FA Vase ended in stalemate as the teams must do it all over again at Belle Vue this weekend. But The Steelmen will feel that they should have won at the first time of asking as they missed some great opportunities to progress to the last sixteen for the first time.

Consett’s only absentees for the 700 plus mile round trip were long term injury victim, skipper David Johnson, and the unavailable John Ewart. Manager Kenny Lindoe made two changes to the side beaten by Seaham Red Star in the Steelmens’ last outing. Goalkeeper Craig Turns returned to replace James Platten and Craig Robson came back into the side after missing three games due to suspension.

Rob Story gives chase
pic - Andy Orman

It was a blustery day on the South Coast and the opening exchanges were even. But it was the home side who created the first opening when Culliford crossed from the left but Trefor Smith shot well wide as he slid in. Consett started to get into their stride and after 13 minutes should have taken the lead when Steve Johnson’s pass set Mattie Moffat in on goal but he shot wide of the upright.

Steven Brown's free kick puts Consett in front
pic - Denise Haworth

Three minutes later Mark Patterson’s ball found Carl Piecha in the box but his effort was blocked for a corner. The Dolphins, however, almost took the lead on 24 minutes when a long free kick fell to Stuart Brown who shot across the face of goal and inches wide of the far post.

A David Pounder free kick forced home keeper Harvell into an acrobatic tip over the bar and Robson shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box..

But Consett took the lead on the stroke of half time when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area which Steven Brown lifted over the wall and into the top corner of the net giving Harvell no chance.

Half time: Poole 0-1 Consett

Unfortunately the lead was short lived as Poole hit back seven minutes after the break. Yelland’s whipped in corner from the left being deflected into his own net by Patterson as he attempted to head clear.

Three minutes later Consett nearly retook the lead when Brown played in Johnson but Harvell parried the shot. Yelland’s corners caused Consett problems all game and on 69 minutes Turns had to be alert to punch another inswinging corner out from under the bar.

Consett came strong towards the end of normal time and went close to winning the game on several occasions. After 77 minutes Gary Ormston’s driven cross deflected off defender Skelton and was parried round the post by Harvell. With five minutes to go substitute Jonjo Dickman played the ball through to Moffat but Harvell made a great one handed save diving to his left to deny him.

Carl Piecha on the charge
pic - Andy Orman

There were two minutes left when Harvell pushed out Dickman’s free kick but it looked as though Consett would win the game in the final minute when Moffat beat the offside to head in on goal. But Consett’s leading scorer saw his shot go agonizingly inches wide of the post.

Michael Coulthard goes in with boots flying
pic - Andy Orman

Full time: Poole 1-1 Consett

Few chances were created in extra time as players started to tire. The best opportunity came after 106 minutes when Moffat’s pass set Johnson away but as he was about to pull the trigger the ball bobbled and his effort went well wide. In the dying moments Poole put pressure on the visitors with a succession of corners but The Steelmen held on to fight another day.

Final score: Poole 1-1 Consett

Referee : Mr Andrew Newell (Yate, Bristol)
Asst Refs : Mr Paul Gurd (Salisbury)
Mr J.R. Whitehead ( Ludgershall)
Fourth Official: Mr Chris Wade ( Bournemouth)

Attendance 441 (Tatnam Ground record)

ANDREW PEARSON

By way of an alternative view, here is the match report from the Poole Town website ...

Another record Tatnam crowd, this time of 441, turned up to see Poole Town take on Consett AFC for a place in the last sixteen of the FA Vase. It was a fantastic occasion with a packed stand and people lined up all round the pitch. Full credit to Consett - they brought a large following down from County Durham and were vocal throughout - a credit to their side.

A massive blow was the suspension of centre back and influential skipper Ian Richardson. On the plus side both Luke Whitley and Aaron Skelton returned to the defence and Taffy Richardson made his first full start since returning from injury and it was Gary Funnell who had to make way - starting as he did on the bench. With Ben Osborne cup-tied, Stuart Brown partnered Steve Smith up front in a side much changed from the defeat at home to Totton last week.

Rumours had been rife that Consett were going to be a very good side and they certainly did not disappoint. Right from the start they looked very capable and especially dangerous going forwards. At times in this match their passing and movement was superb, carving Poole apart on numerous occasions. Both sides looked to play at a fast tempo and with a good referee allowing the game to flow, it made for a tremendous cup tie.

The opening quarter of an hour was end to end stuff as both sides looked to gain the upper hand. Poole looked good but Consett looked very dangerous on the counter. On 13 minutes, Dan Cann missed a header and this allowed Consett to break the offside trap. In a one-on-one situation the Consett player chipped Harvell but the ball bounced just wide of the post - the first of several let-offs for the home side.
Poole hit back with Culliford providing a couple of crosses from the left, the best of which found Stuart Brown in the middle of the area but whilst stretching for the ball he couldn't quite get a strong enough contact on the ball.

On 23 minutes, the Consett number 6, Craig Robson caught Trefor late and was immediately booked - a little harsh given that it was his first offence but it was to be the only card shown on the day. From the freekick, Dan Cann crossed the ball into the box, Taffy nodded it down and Stu Brown fired a shot across the keeper and just wide. Ten minutes later and Cann was adjudged to have handled just outside the Poole area and Harvell had to be on his toes to tip over the resulting freekick. The end of the first half saw Consett provide good pressure on the Poole goal. One goalmouth scramble saw Harvell try to prevent a corner when he would have been better to have allowed the ball to go dead. By keeping it in he left himself out of position and a cross and shot saw the ball blocked on the line and cleared by the Poole defence. Right on the stroke of half time Consett took the lead. Taffy Richardson twice tried to play the ball out of trouble on the edge of the box when probably a big clearance would have been better and after losing the ball Poole brought down a Consett player. Steve Brown took the freekick and curled it sweetly over the wall into the top left corner - a great strike.

Half time: 0-1.

Poole started brightly in the second half and on 52 minutes they got the equaliser. A corner was flicked on by a Consett head and another touch saw the ball fly into the far corner. Although there was mention of Karl Yelland getting the touch I'm pretty sure it was an own goal (Consett match report backs this up). Either way it was all level and everything to play for again. Credit to Consett, at no time in this match did they 'settle' for a draw and replay. They continually attacked looking for a winner and it made for an exciting and nervy second half. On 55 minutes Consett’s Steve Johnson had a twenty yard effort well saved by Harvell.

Gary Funnell replaced Taffy Richardson on 57 minutes and Pete Smith replaced Steve Smith on 72 minutes. On 76 minutes, Consett broke again and after getting to the bye line the ball was pulled back for a shot which Harvell again did well to push away for a corner. Harvell's best save came on 86 minutes however. A shot from just inside the box looked to be heading for the corner but Harvell did brilliantly to get an outstretched hand to the ball and push it away.

Right on the stroke of full time it looked as though Consett would nick it. A neat ball was chipped over the Poole defence and two attackers raced away against one defender. The resulting lob left Harvell stranded but the ball bounced just wide of the post.

Full time: 1-1.

If anything Consett looked the more dangerous again in extra time. At times it looked as though a goal was certain only for either the finishing to be poor or they simply over played it. On 100 minutes Harvell closed the space on a forward but with another Consett player waiting with an open goal the pass went just behind him and the chance went begging. Chris Smith came on for Stuart Brown and this left Pete and Trefor Smith up front for the Dolphins. The final good chance fell to Consett on 107 minutes. They broke the offside trap and a striker raced away with just the keeper to beat. With Poole supporters' hearts in mouths the shot was poor, going well high and wide.

A thrilling match played in an excellent spirit between two good sides. If Consett proved hard to beat today it will be twice as hard in the replay at their place. Poole can play a lot better than this however and they are certainly not out of this tie yet. Another match like this one will be most welcome - it's what non league football is all about.

STEVE BEAN