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A frustrating night for Consett as they were held to a 1-1 draw by West Auckland Town at Belle Vue. With their rivals for the league runners-up spot Whitley Bay winning 5-1 at Billingham Synthonia this result left Consett two points behind Bay with just two games left.
Consett manager Ken Lindoe made just one change from the side that beat Jarrow Roofing
3-0 the previous Saturday, and that was in goal where Paul Gilmore returned in place of Andy Colling. That meant that first team regulars Mattie Moffat and Gary Ormston had to be content with a place on the bench.
Consett couldn’t have got off to a worse start conceding a goal after just 38 seconds. Paul Freary collected a ball from the left and after running across the edge of the penalty area, he dispatched a shot into the bottom corner past the helpless Gilmore. |
David Pounder heads past Bell before setting up Consett's goal
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It should have been two in the first three minutes for the visitors as sloppy defensive play by Consett allowed Ian Maddison in with a clear run on goal, but Gilmore saved well with his feet.
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David Colvin crosses under pressure
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Consett finally woke from their slumbers and equalised with their first meaningful attack on ten minutes. A defensive slip let Pounder through, and as the keeper came out he headed it past him then pulled the ball back from the by-line for Steven Johnson to tap in from barely a yard out.
The Steelmen had the better of things from then on. Craig Robson had two attempts in as many minutes, one saved and one just off target, before Jonjo Dickman headed a Johnson cross wide.
In first half stoppage time Consett had their clearest chance of taking a lead into the interval. With West keeper Mark Bell out of his area, Dickman played the ball back into the box to Colvin who scooped the ball over the bar from six yards out.
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Half time: Consett 1-1 West
The second half was totally dominated by Consett but they were unable to make the pressure count despite numerous chances. Three minutes into the second period Dickman won possession and set Johnson through with just the keeper to beat, but Bell saved and a defender blocked Moffat’s follow-up attempt.
In a rare West attack John Ewart did well to head off the line from Bryan Stewart, but Consett were soon back on the attack with Bell making a brilliant double save from first Steven Brown and then Johnson. From the resulting corner Carl Piecha saw a volley headed off the line.
Fifteen minutes from time the Steelmen were awarded a penalty after Mark Gaffney had been felled in the area byLouden. However Moffat's penalty was saved by West keeper Mark Bell and the striker then headed the rebound against the crossbar.
Consett’s search for a winner became increasingly desperate, and Moffat’s dangerous low cross was somehow deflected over the bar by a defender virtually on the goal line. When Moffat then contrived to blaze over from inside the six yard box a minute later Consett knew it wasn’t to be their night.
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Steven Johnson takes on a defender
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Full time: Consett 1-1 West
JPH |
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