Consett got their 2008-09 Northern League campaign off to a winning start with a 3-1 opening day win over newly-promoted Penrith. Last season's League top scorer Mattie Moffat immediately picked up where he left off by netting all three.
With most of last season’s squad having re-signed for this campaign the team for this opening fixture had a familiar look. Two of Ken Lindoe’s new signings were named in the starting eleven, defender Karl Baston and midfielder Andrew Cuthbertson. Two others, Adam Emson and Chris Douglas, were given places on the bench.
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Moffat pounces for Consett's first goal of the season
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Consett made a bright start and had a good chance to take the lead as early as the third minute when Jonjo Dickman saw a shot deflected just wide of the upright. Penrith were soon up to speed also though, and Michael Brown set up Michael Lea whose shot was saved by Paul Gilmore.
Steven Johnson charges forward
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It was the home side who dominated the rest of the half and after Steven Johnson had slid into the 6 yard box to send a Gary Ormston cross inches over the bar, Moffat saw a 25 yard strike miss the target.
It was no surprise therefore when Consett took the lead on 28 minutes. Johnson made a surging run down the left channel and although his low driven cross was partially blocked, Moffat was on hand to bundle the ball home from close range while the Penrith rearguard made laughable appeals for offside.
Half time: Consett 1-0 Penrith |
Consett carried on attacking in the second half and wasted no time in adding a second six minutes after the restart. Ormston’s right wing cross was cleverly touched on by Dickman in to the path of Moffat. The tall striker stumbled in taking the ball past the keeper but still managed to scoop it home off the floor from tight angle.
Penrith almost struck back within three minutes when the unmarked Wayne Robertson headed Mark Jones’ corner towards goal, but Michael Reed’s attempt at flicking it on past Gilmore went just over the bar.
Lindoe brought Emson into the array for his debut on the left side of midfield on 68 minutes, changing the formation to 4-4-2 in the process, and it almost paid immediate dividends when Penrith keeper James Holland snatched the ball from the feet of the incoming Ormston after Moffat’s initial attempt had been blocked.
Five minutes later Dickman’s left wing corner picked out Emson at the back post and his powerful header forced a brilliant one-handed save from Holland. |
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The visitors generated a good spell of pressure in the closing stages, however twelve minutes from time they were gifted a goal from the unlikeliest of sources. Subsitute Karl Jackson’s tame corner didn’t appear to be posing any problems, however Ormston’s attempted clearance from 12 yards out spun wickedly into the air and looped over everyone and into the net.
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Six minutes from time Penrith’s tall centre half Robertson was again afforded too much space from a corner but this time his header sailed harmlessly over the bar.
It was proving to be an unnecessarily nervous finale for Consett in a game they had largely dominated, but the points were ultimately made safe in the last minute when Moffat dispossesed Penrith skipper Mark Jones to coolly complete his hat trick.
Full time: Consett 3-1 Penrith
JPH
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