Consett strolled to a comfortable victory against Division Two opponents Sunderland Ryhope CA as they began their defence of the Durham Challenge Cup in some style.

The Steelmen, who were unchanged from the previous Saturday’s 3-0 home win against Shildon, opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Steven Johnson collected a Jonjo Dickman free kick and fired in a shot that struck a defender’s arm. The referee awarded a penalty which Mattie Moffat converted.

Steven Brown looks for a pass

David Pounder scores Consett's fifth

Lawson saved from Steven Johnson soon afterwards but could do nothing about Consett’s third two minutes before the interval. Dickman played a one-two with Mark Patterson to open up the visitors defence, and his shot across the face of goal was touched in at close range by Moffat.

Half time: Consett 3-0 SRCA

The Steelmen picked up where they left off at half time by netting their fourth within a minute of the restart. David Johnson crossed from the left and Moffat played it back across the box to leave Gary Ormston with the easiest of tap-ins

The visitors were being run ragged and when they went six down with half an hour still to play, the question was simply how many more Consett would score. Dickman’s cross from the right byline somehow found its way past several blue and white shirts to allow Moffat to complete his hat trick.

As it turned out though, Consett visibly eased off at this point, with Ryhope afforded the luxury of a couple of chances of their own. Karl Jarvis drilled in a shot from a tight angle which was comfortably caugh by James Platten – making his 350th appearance for Consett on the eve of his Testimonial game. Platten also pulled off the save of the night on 82 minutes, saving again from Jarvis at full stretch following good approach play from substitute Luke Ball.

Carl Piecha heads clear