A third 1-0 win in a week for Consett at South Shields this afternoon ensures that they remain ahead of the chasing pack in the Northern League Division One. It certainly wasn't pretty, and although they extended their lead at the top of the League to eight points with this victory, Dunston Fed (four games in hand) and Spennymoor (seven) haven’t yet been burned off.

Michael Coulthard and Andrew Cuthbertson were suspended for this encounter; but with Carl Picha and Jonjo Dickman returning after injury, it was still a strong Consett line-up fielded by manager Ken Lindoe.

On a bright and warm spring day, and on a pitch in remarkably good shape for the time of year, the conditions were perfect for a good game of football. Unfortunately though, it turned out to be a disappointing match with very little goalmouth incident. Shields started the better of the two sides and thought they had taken the lead in the 12th minute, however but Stephen Ramsey’s effort was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Adam Emson rides the tackles

Eight minutes later, Lee-Paul Scroggins dispossessed Craig Robson in midfield and he broke clear to set up Ramsey. Consett keeper Jack Norton pulled off a great save, and was grateful to see Wyn Fremlin volley the rebound over with the goal gaping.

Chris Scott's header flies into the net for the only goal of the game

It was 25 minutes before Consett even vaguely threatened the Shields goal, as Adam Emson, looking suspiciously offside, played the ball across goal but Steven Johnson was unable to reach it and supply the finishing touch.

Shields’ front pairing of Fremlin and Ramsey were always a threat and just after the half hour mark, Ramsey played a ball inside to Fremlin who shot over the bar under pressure.

Consett finally got their game together in the last 10 minutes of the first half and, after Emson had latched onto a Johnson flick on to shoot wide, they took the lead in the 37th minute. The goal was a simply executed one as Gary Ormston stood up a cross from the right flank and Chris Scott rose well to send a glancing header into the net from 6 yards.

Shields might have levelled two minutes later when Scroggins headed Glenn Reay’s left wing cross straight at Norton. Soon after, at the other end, another good cross from Ormston found Johnson, whose goalbound header forced a fine one-handed save from Shields keeper Andrew Clark at full stretch.

In the fourth minute of time added on at the end of the first half, Fremlin struck a fierce drive from the edge of box which tested Norton. He could only parry it away and although Ramsey was first to react he put the follow up wide under pressure from Carl Piecha.

Half Time: Shields 0-1 Consett

Rather like the game against Bedlington seven days earlier the second half was an extremely dull affair with very little to report. The Steelmen seemed content to soak up Shields pressure and hit them on the counter-attack, which they did with relative ease. Oddly, given that most of the play took place in front of the Consett goal, the best chances of the second period actually fell to Consett.

Gary Ormston controls a throw-in

On 58 minutes a ball over the top found Johnson who had got behind his marker, however he had to stretch to reach the ball and as a consequence fired over the bar.

Craig Robson starts an attack

Midway through the second half David Pounder slid a great ball through to Emson who cut back inside onto his right foot, turning a defender inside out in the process, and the tall striker dispatched a firm drive which Clark parried away for corner.

With 18 minutes left, Jonjo Dickman floated a ball into the box that was clearly intended to be a cross however it drifted in towards the goal and the Shields keeper was forced to palm it away from under the bar.

So overall, not a classic, but another three points safely gathered in and whilst sides below them may have many games in hand, Consett still have that most precious of commodities at this stage of the season … points on the board.

Full time: Shields 0-1 Consett

JPH