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Consett moved back into second place with a very good win over their rivals for the runners-up spot Whitley Bay. In a very tight game of few chances it was the Steelmen’s better finishing that won the day.
Skipper David Johnson, top scorer Mattie Moffat, and the influential Gary Ormston were all restored to the starting line-up as Ken Lindoe fielded his strongest available side for this important contest.
Consett had the wind behind them on yet another blustery day on Derwentside, but it was Whitley who created the first goalscoring opportunity. A right wing corner was flicked on to Lee Kerr at the back post and his falling volley was blocked on the line. |
Mattie Moffat puts Consett in front
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It was just before the quarter hour before Consett threatened but when they did, they took the lead. Jonjo Dickman won the ball just outside the area and played it in to Mattie Moffat whose cool finish found the bottom corner.
Bay were still having the better of things overall almost struck back within three minutes. Paul Robinson played a superb 30-yard ball to Paul Chow who got ahead of Carl Piecha before sending a firm drive just over. Two minutes later Robinson tried his luck from distance but Gilmore was able to save with relative ease.
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Steven Brown leads the charge towards the Bay goal
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On the half hour the creator of Consett’s goal Dickman was the instigator again, chipping a cross towards Steven Johnson who attempted a spectacular volley, however it flew well over the bar.
With the referee just about to blow for half time, Craig Robson spun and shot from the edge of the area. However, his attempt went straight down Bay keeper Terry Burke’s throat and Consett took a one goal lead into the interval.
Half time: Consett 1-0 Whitley
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The first half was not a classic but the second was about as dull a 45 minutes of football as has been seen at Belle Vue this season. Consett added a second eight minutes into the half and from then on the game was over as contest.
The Steelmen’s second came when Steven Brown floated a free kick to the far post where David Pounder had time and space to control the ball and dispatch a low shot past Burke.
It was a further 20 minutes before either goal was threatened and it was Whitley’s Lee Kerr who turned cleverly inside his marker but then slashed a shot high and wide of the target.
With twelve minutes remaining Moffat’s 10-yard snap shot out of nothing was caught by Burke but that was about it as far as goalmouth activity was concerned and in the end Consett’s victory was a lot more comfortable than they might have expected.
The win means that if Whitley fail to beat Durham City at Hillheads on Tuesday night Consett will finish second. If Bay do become the first team to beat Durham since early January, then Consett will still clinch the runners-up position by beating Benfield at home the following night.
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David Johnson climbs high to clear
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Full time: Consett 2-0 Whitley
JPH |
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