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Consett progressed to the last 16 of the FA Carlsberg Vase for the first time in their history with a superb 4-1 victory in today's 4th Round replay against Poole Town. Roared on by an impressive crowd of 514, the highest for a competitive game at Belle Vue for many, many years, the Steelmen fought back from a goal down to record a memorable win against a very good side from Dorset who are currently top of the Wessex League.
Manager Ken Lindoe made just one change from the side that drew at Poole the previous Saturday to force the replay, with captain Jonjo Dickman returning in midfield in place of the unavailable Mark Patterson. The visitors were cheered on by a good following from the South Coast, who made the arduous journey North through some atrocious weather, and were rewarded by a spirited show from their team. |
Steven Brown slots home the equaliser
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The game couldn't have started much worse for Consett as the visitors set about them like a whilrwind. A nervous fumble from keeper Craig Turns presented a chance to Pete Smith which he was unable to convert, and then moments later Consett were forced into a re-shuffle at the back when Michael Coulthard limped off to be replaced by Mark Gaffney.
It was no surprise when Poole took the lead on 9 minutes. Dan Cann launched a long throw into the Consett area, and Gaffney's first contribution to the game was to connect with his head at the near post, only for the ball to loop over everyone and nestle in the goal.
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Steven Johnson makes it 2-1 to Consett
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Consett were hanging on by a thread at this stage and could consider themselves fortunate that a very strong penalty shout from the visitors was denied when Pete Smith appeared to be bundled over by David Pounder just as he was about to send a header towards goal.
Having survived a poor start, Consett gradually took control and dominated the rest of the half. With almost their first serious attack Consett levelled the tie on 20 minutes. Dickman made a strong run to the by-line before pulling the ball back for Steven Johnson. Poole keeper Jason Harvell did well to save that effort, but could do nothing about Steven Brown's precise finish from the rebound. |
Harvell was in action again soon afterwards, getting down well to save a Mattie Moffat strike, and Poole breathed a collective sigh of relief just before the half hour mark when Johnson's scuffed effort struck the upright.
As the home side cranked up the pressure, they should have taken the lead on 33 minutes when Dickman's precise ball set Johnson clear with the Poole defence appealing in vain for offside. Johnson's finish was tame and Harvell saved easily, but his heroics were to be in vain as Consett went ahead a matter of seconds later.
Brown restarted Consett's attack with a defence splitting pass to Dickman and although Harvell came out to make a brave stop, the ball broke to Johnson who lashed the ball gleefully into the roof of the net.
A minute before the interval Poole somehow survived the mother of all goalmouth scrambles to ensure the deficit remained at just one goal. Gary Ormston saw his volley cleared off the line by Mark Robinson, and then managed to send another shot goalwards whilst still on the floor only for that to be saved by Harvell. Follow up attempts by Moffat, Dickman and Moffat again were also repelled as sky blue shirts were thrown in the way of shot after shot. |
Jonjo Dickman cuts out a through ball
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Half time: Consett 2-1 Poole
Consett picked up where they left off in the second half and in the opening 30 seconds some great work down the right flank from Moffat set up Craig Robson whose side-footed shot missed by inches.
Johnson has another effort saved
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On the hour mark, Moffat pounced on a defensive slip to send in an awkward skidding shot which Harvell did well to save, with the defence clearing their lines before Dickman could pounce on the rebound.
All the time while Consett's lead was just one the tie was in doubt though, and following another Cann long throw, a potent weapon for Poole all afternoon, Andy Culliford stabbed a shot just wide.
The main pre-match concern on the weather front was the high winds that had forced the closure of the A1(M) the previous day. The wind had died down a bit by kick off, but was still strong enough to lend Consett a helping hand in their decisive third goal. Harvell's goal kick held up in the stiff breeze, carrying barely 30 yards from goal, Consett regained possession immediately and Mattie Moffat collected the ball, cut inside, and saw his deflected strike loop over the keeper to make it 3-1 on 69 minutes. |
In the wake of the goal Poole lost their discipline somewhat, seeing three players booked in the space of five minutes. And it was from the third of those offences that Consett struck the killer blow. Poole conceded a free kick 25 yards out and Brown sent it sailing over Harvell's head, via a deflection off the wall, to take his personal tally to three goals in the two games and put the result beyond doubt.
Consett might have gone nap two minutes later when Moffat embarked on a solo run from the centre circle which ended with a curling shot that missed the target. Johnson also squandered a great chance in the last minute when clean through with just the keeper to beat, but he also placed his shot wide. However it was a fine win for The Steelmen, who now progress to the
5th Round where they will face Merstham, who overcame Pickering Town in their 4th round tie 4-2 after extra time.
Full time: Consett 4-1 Poole
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Gary Ormston's volley is cleared off the line
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