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Honours even at Belle Vue as Consett and West Allotment Celtic played out a 3-3 draw in quite atrocious conditions. Credit has to go both teams for serving up a highly entertaining encounter in a near monsoon on a rapidly deteriorating pitch.
Ken Lindoe made two changes to the side that defeated Billingham Synthonia 2-1 in midweek. Carl Piecha returned in defence in place of the injured Michael Coulthard, while top scorer Mattie Moffat returned to the side with Andrew Thompson making way for him.
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Craig Robson makes it 2-0 to Consett
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Despite playing into the teeth of a strong wing and driving rain, Consett raced into a two goal lead in the opening twelve minutes. Moffat broke clear down the right flank and teed up Steven Brown who saw his shot saved by Kevin Morton, however the ball broke to David Colvin who set up David Pounder to drive home from the edge of the area.
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David Pounder opens the scoring
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Moffat was denied by a brave stop from Morton three minutes later, however from the resulting corner Consett doubled their lead. The ball broke to Jonjo Dickman on the edge of the area who returned a stinging drive which Morton fumbled to present an easy chance for Craig Robson to stroke home.
It should have been three seven minutes later when Moffat outpaced the defence from Pounder’s through ball to leave himself with just Morton to beat, but his attempted chip was well off target.
Celtic got back into the game with virtually their first attack. Kevin Hughes sent a speculative ball into the Consett area which Mark Gaffney tried to chest back to his keeper. Unfortunately though Paul Gilmore slipped on the treacherous pitch and the ball trickled over the line.
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Both goal frames were struck in quick succession midway through the half. Celtic thought they had equalised when Andrew Brown rose at the back post to head against the upright and somehow the Steelmen managed to clear the ball off the line. Consett then hit Celtic with a swift counter-attack which ended with Moffat setting up Pounder who fired against the post.
The visitors equalised on 26 minutes when a ball into the area was cleared only as far as Lee York and the Celtic midfielder found the corner of the net with a precise finish from 20 yards out.
As conditions worsened the play became scrappier, but Consett came closest to scoring in the closing stages of the half. Colvin embarked on a strong run down the left but his shot from just inside the area was comfortably saved by Morton. Then six minutes before half time, Dickman’s free kick found Piecha unmarked but his cushioned volley went inches wide.
Half time: Consett 2-2 West Allotment
Consett came out positively after the break with first Pounder testing the keeper with a 25 yard strike, and then Moffat being denied by a brilliant saving tackle from man-of-the-match Andrew Brown.
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New keeper Paul Gilmore clears upfield
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Celtic rode the storm though and completed an amazing comeback by taking the lead on 52 minutes. Some neat interplay between Ben Richardson and Andrew Hay ended with Richardson shooting wide. However straight from the restart Gilmore’s goal kick dropped short and went directly to Hay who fed Andrew Watson and the young striker dispatched an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
Pounder hits the post
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The visitors’ lead only lasted 12 minutes though as Consett equalized from the unlikeliest of sources. Steven Brown delivered a corner from the right wing towards Gary Ormston, however the ball dropped behind him and skipper David Johnson was on hand to drive home only his second ever goal for the Steelmen.
Hay had a good chance to restore Celtic’s lead four minutes later, but after beating David Johnson he slashed his shot across goal and wide of the goal. Substitute Steven Johnson might have added to his tally for the season on 78 minutes when he latched onto a Steven Brown pass to force a save out of Morton, with Colvin then dragging the rebound wide.
In stoppage time Consett should have wrapped up the points but saw two chances go begging. Gary Ormston cut in from the right and forced Morton into an excellent save from a powerful left foot strike. Then five minutes into added time Moffat got to the byline and fed Steven Johnson six yards out, but he was denied by a desperate save from Morton when he seemed certain to score.
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Full time: Consett 3-3 West Allotment
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