Consett increased their lead at the top of the table to seven points with what proved to be a comfortable win over visitors Ashington. Truth to be told The Steelmen should have won by a much larger margin and Adam Emson, who scored all of the goals on the night, could quite easily have doubled his own personal tally.

Manager Kenny Lindoe made only one change to the side that had beaten Billingham Synthonia in such fine style in the pervious game. Steven Johnson returned from injury to partner Emson in attack in place of the unavailable Carl Heiniger.

Consett started where they had left off in the previous game and should have gone ahead in the second minute. David Pounder’s cross from the left was deflected to Emson who shot over from close range.

Six minutes later Emson was put in on goal by Johnson’s pass but as he shot the ball bobbled up and the effort went wide.

In the tenth minute a good build up led to Gary Ormston’s shot from the edge of the box being well saved by young keeper Hayes. But following the resulting corner The Steelmen took a deserved lead. The flag kick was only half cleared to Pounder whose shot was well saved by Hayes but Emson was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Ashington had offered little in the early stages but on the quarter hour Cockburn jinked his way past two defenders before shooting straight at Consett keeper Paul Gilmore.

After 23 minutes Emson glanced a header just wide from Pounder’s free-kick and then just after the half hour the unmarked Carl Piecha headed over from Pounder’s corner.

Consett got the second goal their play deserved three minutes before the interval. Andy Cuthbertson won possession in the final third of the field, set up Emson who ran on and slotted past the helpless keeper.

Emson broke away again just before the interval but he shot horribly wide with only the keeper to beat.

Half time: Consett 2-0 Ashington

Consett continued to dominate in the second period and four minutes after the break they almost made it three. Ormston’s cross fell to Pounder but his well driven shot through a crowd of players was brilliantly saved by Hayes diving to his left.

Cuthbertson missed a good chance to get on the scoresheet when he shot over the top from Emson’s cut back.

But the home side made the game safe with a third goal on the hour. The impressive Chris Scott played the ball forward to Emson who was just onside. The in form striker ran on and gave the keeper no chance as he notched a second successive hat-trick.

Consett made a couple of substitutions with Mattie Moffat and Jonjo Dickman entering the fray in place of Johnson and Cuthbertson.

With ten minutes left Moffat saw his effort cleared off the line following a pass by Scott.

Ashington came into the game in the closing stages but the closest they came to pulling one back was with eight minutes to go when substitute Lee Scott headed over from a corner.

But it was an excellent performance by Consett who looked good going forward but also looked solid in defence with the hardworking midfield three of Craig Robson, Andy Cuthbertson and Chris Scott particularly impressive.

Full time: Consett 3-0 Ashington

Andrew Pearson