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A very disappointing defeat for the Steelmen as they lost to at struggling Northallerton Town. A win in this game combined with a slip up by Billingham Synthonia would have seen them go top of the league, however that never looked likely as a misfiring Consett were punished by the hard-working North Yorkshiremen who, prior to today, had collected just 6 points from 12 league games.
Manager Ken Lindoe fielded the same starting eleven as that which had won 4-2 at Shildon in midweek. There was one key positional change however as David Pounder played up front alongside Mattie Moffat, with Adam Emson moving out to the left side of midfield.
In rotten conditions, Consett almost made a dream start to what turned out to be a poor first half. In the 6th minute a Steven Brown free kick found its way through to Moffat who, caught by surprise at the ball hitting him on the chest, shot wide with the goal at his mercy. |
Josh Moody collects a cross
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It was the home side who seized the initiative though, despite playing into a fierce wind, and on 21 minutes Gabriel Radu shot wide from just inside box.
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An exasperated Steven Brown looks to the heavens
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Five minutes later Consett received a let off when a corner broke to Stuart Jackson who lifted the ball over keeper Josh Moody, but Pounder got back to clear off the line.
In a rare Consett attack Moffat embarked on a strong run before seeing a shot deflected wide, but it was a brief respite as sloppy defending by the Steelmen presented John Ryan with a chance, but he fired over the keeper and the bar.
All the first half action was crammed into an incredible SEVEN minutes added on at the end of the first half by eccentric referee Jack Traynor - despite neither physio having been on the pitch and no substitutions being made. In the third minute of added time Cuthbertson slid a perfect ball through to Emson, but the keeper came out to save. |
Within a minute Consett went behind when the dangerous Ryan beat the Consett offside trap to round Josh Moody and score. There was still time for Consett to have gone in at half time level though when two minutes later Emson headed a Brown cross against the inside of post and Town keeper Pisani clawed it back from off line. Consett made strong claims that the ball was over the line but to no avail.
Half time: Northallerton 1-0 Consett
The second half was a far more entertaining affair and both sides had a chance to score within the first four minutes. First Ryan's cross broke to Radu but he shot just over, then moments later Cuthbertson played a ball through to Gary Ormston but he shot at the keeper under pressure.
Hearts were in Consett mouths on 52 minutes when Josh Moody let a firm drive from Clarke slip through his hands, but to his and the travelling support's relief the ball trickled away for a corner.
Northallerton added their second goal on 55 minutes as once again the Consett defence didn't exactly cover themselves in glory. A ball over the top saw Gaffney and Ryan tussling to get on the end of it. Both fell over in the process, however as the ball broke off the advancing Moody, Ryan was first up to his feet to turn it into the empty net. |
Mattie Moffat shoots
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Consett spent most of the last half hour on the attack but a rare fruitless day in front of goal meant they were destined to get nothing from the game. On the hour mark a Pounder corner broke to Cuthbertson who saw his shot deflected wide.
Adam Emson's header hits the post
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Midway through the second half another flag kick fell at the feet of Cuthbertson and this time his toe poke was cleared off line by Walker.
On 73 minutes a neat Consett move released Emson down the left but his shot from 20 yards went inches over the bar. Then a Dickman free kick was headed over the bar by Town's James Crossman.
The luckless Cuthbertson was denied again five minutes from time when another reflex shot was cleared off the line again by Walker. Soon afterwards another free kick on the edge of the area went begging, this time Pounder's effort went just over.
With 90 minutes up that long-time thorn in Consett's side Carl Chillingworth turn inside a defender before getting a venomous shot away that Moody tipped over the bar. Two minutes later Clarke dispossessed Dickman an put Ryan through, but Moody denied him his hat trick by making a brave save at his feet.
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Town ended the game with ten men when Ryan was harshly sent off for an altercation with Jonjo Dickman - the incident occurring so far into second half stoppage time that the crowd had given up looking at their watches.
Full time: Northallerton 2-0 Consett
JPH |
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