CONSETT moved into second place in the STL Northern League 1st Division with a 6-1 hammering of newcomers Stokesley, although the comfortable-looking scoreline doesn't quite tell the whole story.

The Steelmen came into the game on the back of four wins, and made one change, with Jamie Poole returning from his trial at Gillingham in place of Andy Cuthbertson. Stokesley were something of an unknown quantity, but had made a steady start to life in the 1st Division, with seven points from their opening seven games.

On a beautiful afternoon for football it was the visitors who made the more impressive start, and they should have taken the lead as early as four minutes when David Hillerby was sent clean through on goal, but Barry Poskett pulled off an excellent double save.

There was no great pace to the game at this point, but 12 minutes later Poskett was in action again, saving well at his near post from Andrew Jennings, who had managed to shrug off Richard Forster.

Stokesley's two front men, Jennings and Lev Yalcin, were starting to cause all manner of problems, with Consett's back three receiving precious little help from their midfield, and on 17 minutes the visitors took a deserved lead, with captain Paul Crager heading in from a corner.

Consett hadn't strung a worthy attacking move together at this point, but against the run of play they were level on 21 minutes. Captain Carl Piecha drove at the defence, and his cross found Gavin Barton five yards out, and although his initial header continued his recent love affair with the crossbar, he reacted very smartly to volley home his own rebound.

The game soon reverted to its original pattern, with Jennings again sent clean through on 25 minutes after sloppy Consett play, but the lively striker could only shoot wide. Consett were forced into a change at this point with Andy
Cuthbertson replacing Anthony Lund. Cuthbertson slotted into his usual central role, allowing Jamie Poole to return to his more familiar left-sided position.

The change had little effect, and Stokesley looked certain to take the lead on 33 minutes when Yalcin was sent clean through on goal and rounded Poskett, only to see his firm effort on goal brilliantly cleared off the line by the head of Scott Martindale.

The visitors must have been wondering whether their inability to take chances would cost them, and sure enough on 35 minutes Consett took the lead. Piecha was again the architect, powering into the box, and the ball broke to Gavin Ross 16 yards out, who curled the ball beautifully into the bottom right-hand corner, with virtually his first meaningful touch of the match.

The home side were starting to grow in confidence now, and on 41 minutes it was 3-1 as Jamie Poole smashed in a penalty given for a debatable foul on Jonny Hewitson.

Half-time came with Consett 3-1 up, and the visitors scarcely able to believe they weren't a couple up themselves.

Half time: Consett 3-1 Stokesley

No changes were made by either team at half-time, but the game was finished as a contest in the 46th minute when Adam Wheatley handled a Jonjo Dickman cross in his own area and Poole again stepped up and powered home the resulting penalty. Visiting keeper Jack Binks went the right way, but the kick was so well struck he didn't get near it.

It was one-way traffic from this point, with the visitors understandably looking a bit demoralised, and after a few half-chances Gavin Barton made it 5-1. The unfortunate Stephen Morrison stood on the ball as he brought it out of defence, and, despite having good options to his left and right, Barton curled home a great effort into the top right corner from 20 yards.

A flurry of substitutions followed from both teams, but Consett continued to press, and Jamie Poole almost got his second hat-trick of the season on 79 minutes with a superb half-volley from just inside the area.

However, it was Gavin Barton who was to record his hat-trick on 81 minutes. Poole was the provider, driving down the left and playing Barton in to finish coolly from 15 yards to make it 6-1.

That was the last meaningful action of the game as Consett recorded their fifth consecutive league win. It's worth noting that in only the second week of September they have as many victories at Belle Vue as were recorded in the whole of last season. Is it too early to mention the phrase 'dark horses'?

Full time: Consett 6-1 Stokesley

ANDY BALL