Consett AFC threw away their 100% start to the season with a lacklustre performance at home to Morpeth Town.

The Steelmen lost 3-2 to Morpeth at Belle Vue Park in only the third league game of the season after winning their previous three fixtures comfortably. But it was a different tale against a strong and well-organised Morpeth side, who harried the home team into too many errors.

Consett missed captain Jonjo Dickman, on holiday, and the injured Craig Robson, who might have added more bite to their midfield. Two senior midfielders, Steven Brown – captain for the day in Dickman’s absence – and Gary Ormston, had days they will hope to forget as they struggled to control the game, and Consett manager Ken Lindoe was forced to move defender Carl Piecha into midfield in the second half to give the team more presence in the centre of the pitch.

But it was still a game that Consett could have won. Steven Johnson took his chances well to bag both Consett goals and strike partner Mattie Moffat looked eager, and worried the visiting defence from both wings as well as from central positions. But Morpeth were resolute in midfield and attack, took their chances well, and forced the home team onto the back foot when it mattered.

Morpeth gave an indication of what was to come in the first minute with a header that went wide from a corner. On five minutes, they took the lead, when a deep cross from the left wing eluded the Consett defenders allowing fullback Chris Phillipson to nip in front of goalie Paul Gilmore and get enough contact to turn the ball into the net.

Consett looked unconvincing, but came back into the game on 16 minutes, when Gary Ormston dribbled the ball in from the right wing and ran at the heart of the Morpeth defence. His pass found Steven Johnson, who beat the keeper with a smart shot.

Rather than settle the home side, Consett continued to look vulnerable to Morpeth’s tenacity in midfield and up front. Morpeth’s Polish midfielder Mateusz Halembiec was encouraged enough to try his luck from 40 yards and saw his shot narrowly clear the bar.

Consett pressed, but after several unsuccessful attacks, Morpeth striker Chris Rue slipped his marker and turned towards goal. His pass found teammate Alex Benjamin, who mesmerised Piecha and Karl Baston in the Consett defence before shooting past Gilmore.

Consett equalised for the second time within eight minutes of half time. Piecha, enjoying the opportunity to express himself in midfield, got the ball after nice wing play from Emson and cracked a shot straight to the feet of Steven Johnson, who again left the Morpeth ‘keeper with no chance.

But on 82 minutes, Morpeth’s Ian Herron got the ball from his opposite number Steven Brown and put the game beyond Consett’s reach. The Morpeth number eight dispossessed Consett’s stand-in captain, going the wrong way deep in his own half. He advanced quickly and, while the Consett defence backpedalled in front of him, curled a beautiful right foot effort into the Consett net, beyond the reach of the diving Gilmore.

Full Time: Consett 2-3 Morpeth

GED NAUGHTON