Consett's first ever trip to Whitehaven proved to be a fruitful one as the Steelmen progressed comfortably into the 2nd Round of the Brooks Mileson League Cup, winning 3-0.

Ken Lindoe kept faith with as many of the side that had won 5-1 at Billingham Town three days earlier as he could, with just one enforced change - Paul Henderson-Reay starting up front in place of the unavailable Adam Emson

The kick off was delayed by 30 minutes due to the late arrival of several of the Consett team, but when the game did get under way it was Whitehaven who were quickest out of the blocks. They threatened as early as the second minute when Stephen Hewitt crossed towards Darren Donald arriving at pace, but he was denied by an excellent saving tackle from Paul Collins.

Paul Henderson-Reay fires in Consett's opener

Gary Ormston goes up for a header

The Steelmen weren't left rueing their luck for long though as they took the lead three minutes later through Henderson-Reay's first Consett goal. Latching onto a Pounder slide-rule pass he carried the ball into the area before firing assuredly under the keeper's despairing dive into the bottom corner.

Henderson-Reay was having easily his best game in a Consett shirt, causing havoc in the home rearguard, and on 16 minutes he nodded down a left wing cross to Andrew Cuthbertson whose half-volley under pressure forced a good save from Fryer.

Consett's relentless pressure continued and three minutes later Pounder latched onto a poor clearance to shoot wide from the edge of the area. With less than 20 minutes on the clock the Steelmen could easily have been four or five up.

Six minutes before the interval Consett got a richly deserved second goal and it was that man Henderson-Reay who was on target again. He doubled his and his team's tally with a well taken shot on the turn from the edge of the box, having been supplied the ammunition by Cuthbertson.

Half time: Whitehaven 0-2 Consett

Consett carried on where they left off after the break and on 55 minutes Scott's clever free kick picked out Henderson-Reay in space but he miscued his shot just wide. Moments later Ken Lindoe took Michael Coulthard out of the action, replacing him with David Scorer after he was a little fortunate not to see red following a late, but not malicious, tackle when already on a yellow card.

Whitehaven had proved to be little threat following the early exchanges but caused consternation at the other end in the 58th minute when a swerving strike from Stuart Shaw proved difficult for Dan Staples who was only able to parry the shot before gratefully grabbing the rebound off substitute Robert Fowler's toe.

David Gordon closes down

Henderson-Reay makes it 2-0

Any nagging doubt that the home side might stage a fightback and force an unwelcome period of extra time was dispelled in the 68th minute when Consett scored their third. Scott somehow managed to deliver a superb cross from next to the right corner flag and Gary Ormston was on hand to calmly head home from 6 yards.

Consett were able to see out the remainder of the game with a degree of comfort, and came closest to extending their lead two minutes from time when Henderson-Reay teed up Scott whose firm drive was tipped round the post by Fryer. From the corner, Cuthbertson shot just wide.

Whitehaven almost grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time when some sloppy play at the back resulted in Donald trying his luck with a 30-yard lob which sailed just wide. Donald also forced a save from Staples a matter of seconds later but Consett were able to complete their shut out and will now play Tow Law Town away in the 2nd Round after they won 1-0 at Billingham Town.