Two goals in two minutes just before half-time swung this game in the visitors favour after Consett had held the upper hand in the early stages. The win means that The Seahorses have completed an early season league double over The Steelmen and they look a good bet for the Northern League title this season.

The Consett line-up saw only one change to the side that had beaten Whitehaven in midweek, Steven Huggins replacing the injured Jonjo Dickman.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges and went close through Andrew Cuthbertson and David Pounder who forced saves from Bay keeper Kindley after seven and eight minutes respectively.

Then on the quarter hour mark Consett took the lead. Huggins’ corner from the left evaded Kindley and fell nicely for skipper Carl Piecha to fire into the net from six yards. But Whitley were soon on the attack with the ever dangerous Johnston prominent. After 20 minutes Johnston shot just wide from eight yards out then ten minutes later he ran onto a throughball but shot wide when he looked odds to score. Young Consett keeper Daniel Staples was called into action when he tipped Moore’s 18 yard shot onto the bar and out for a corner. From the corner Consett broke away quickly with Gary Ormston setting up Chris Scott who only had the keeper to beat, but he chose to try and beat Kindley from distance, however the keeper was equal to the task making a comfortable save.

Picture JULIAN TYLEY

It was a good chance wasted and the home side paid the price after 41 minutes when Bay levelled the scores. Kerr’s powerful shot beat Staples, hit the bar, and Johnston was on hand to stab home the rebound.

It got worse for The Steelmen when the visitors took the lead almost immediately. The ball was played into Johnston at the front post and quick as a flash he turned and shot home giving Staples no chance.

Full time: Consett 1-2 Whitley

Adam Emson replaced Paul Henderson-Reay in the Consett forward line at the interval and Consett again had the better of it in the opening minutes of the half.

Picture JULIAN TYLEY

David Gordon’s cross come shot was pushed away by Kindley then Huggins’ pass picked out Cuthbertson but he shot tamely at the keeper. Consett’s best chance of the half came after 62 minutes. Pounder played a 1-2 with Cuthbertson and found himself in on the keeper but Kindley did well to block the shot with his legs. With 20 minutes left, Moore broke away for the visitors but he shot across the face of goal and narrowly wide. But the decisive third goal came three minutes later. Again Moore was involved as his cross from the right was headed home at the far post by Coulson.

Although Consett battled they never looked like getting back into the game and they almost conceded a fourth in stoppage time when Fawcett’s long range effort was tipped onto the bar by Staples.

Full time: Consett 1-3 Whitley

ANDREW PEARSON