Consett made a welcome return to winning ways today with a fine 5-2 win over near neighbours Ryton. In a tremendously entertaining game between two attacking sides the score could have been just about anything, however Consett’s superior finishing saw them run out comfortable winners.

Off the back of two disappointing defeats in a week against struggling sides, Ken Lindoe – outspoken in his criticism of the side in the match programme – rang the changes. James Platten returned in goal after a six month absence, new signing from Sunderland Nissan Chris Scott made his debut in midfield, while Karl Baston and Steven Johnson returned to the starting line-up.

Ryton, who had put ten past Guisborough Town in the FA Vase in midweek, threatened to continue where they’d left off in a really bright start. Striker Marc Walton had two chances in the first five minutes, but he missed the target on both occasions.

Liddle can only watch Andrew Cuthbertson's shot go in

Mattie Moffat opens the scoring

Within 60 seconds it was 2-0. David Pounder’s right wing corner found an unmarked Carl Piecha at the back post who found the net with a towering header.

They almost added a third on 20 minutes from the unlikely source of Mark Gaffney, whose cross from the left drifted towards goal forcing Ryton keeper Ben Starford to palm it away for a corner.

Consett’s third came along soon enough though, when Moffat broke clear and headed past the keeper but the chance seemed to have gone when he was forced wide. However, he kept possession and played the ball back to Andrew Cuthbertson whose low drive found the bottom corner.

Ryton were by no means a beaten side though and on 26 minutes Walton headed Patterson’s corner against foot of post. Then from another corner six minutes later, Walton dragged a shot wide from just outside the box.

The complexion of the game changed on the stroke of half time when Gaffney’s body check on Jones appeared innocuous enough, however the linesman flagged for a foul and Walton sent the resulting penalty to Platten’s left to make it 3-1.

Half time: Consett 3-1 Ryton

The hugely impressive Walton was at the heart of all Ryton’s attacks and five minutes into the second half his deflected cross found Glenn Reay whose volley was saved well by Platten. Almost immediately from the restart though Jones robbed Scott and broke through the Consett back line before sliding the ball under the advancing Platten to reduce the arrears to one.

With memories of the three goal advantage the Steelmen let slip at Bishop Auckland still fresh in their minds Consett must have feared the worst when Walton latched on to a long clearance from Bell and got ahead of Gaffney to create a good chance, but his firm drive produced an excellent stop from Platten.

Steven Johnson hurdles a challenge

Moffat v Burrell in a bout of Kung Fu

Two minutes later Johnson hit a powerful shot straight at Ryton skipper Liddle, the ball striking the defender’s arms as he protected his chest. A somewhat harsh penalty was awarded and Piecha, sensing a hat trick, stepped up to take it. His powerfully struck spot-kick was well saved by Starford however.

Ryton hit the woodwork again on 62 minutes as Parker headed Dobby’s free kick against the bar. The action was very much of the end-to-end varierty though and Johnson’s flick on to Moffat left the Steelmen’s top scorer clean through. He rounded Starford but was forced too wide and in the end his shot was blocked for corner.

On 75 minutes a superb ball from Bell picked out Jones who chested it down and volleyed towards goal, but Platten was on hand to save again.

Consett finally made the game safe ten minutes from time when Dickman’s tame free kick somehow found its way round the wall and into the net. The ball took a cruel bounce in front of Starford, however the Ryton keeper has to be disappointed with the goal.