CONSETT bowed out of the FA Vase at the first hurdle for the third season in a row after a below-par performance against 2nd Division Washington, who were worthy winners after coming from a goal down. Kenny Lindoe made one change to the team which had beaten Guisborough in midweek, with Gavin Ross returning in place of Ben Johnson, who didn't even make the 16.

Washington, sitting third in Division Two, had the wind at their back in the first half, and made all the early play. Former Newcastle junior Glenn Reay had the first chance after just five minutes when he was given a worrying amount of time and space in the box, but could only direct his header from a left-wing cross straight at Barry Poskett in the Consett goal. Five minutes later Poskett was again called into action, when he got down well to his left to turn a Nicky Martin strike from the edge of the box out for a corner.

The first 15 minutes had been all Washington, but Consett passed up a glorious chance to take an undeserved lead in the 16th, when a quickly-taken free-kick by Jamie Poole put Jonny Hewitson in down the right, but no-one could get on the end of his tantalising low cross.

Consett were at last coming into the game, and Ross was unlucky to see visiting keeper Danny Molyneux save with his feet after twisting and turning in the box to make himself some space for a shot. On 26 minutes Consett were ahead, and it was that man Poole, with his 11th goal in as many games.

Andy Cuthbertson picked out his run with a great chipped pass over the full-back, and Poole drove forward, changed feet, and slotted it under the advancing keeper. Instead of spurring Consett on, however, the goal only served to gee up Washington. Right-back Graham McTaggart tried to lift the ball over Poskett on the edge of his box, which the keeper was equal to, and then left-back David Lee hit a 30-yarder which Baz watched all the way and pushed over the bar. There was also a decent penalty shout, when Fox went down in the box as he tried to wriggle his way through two challenges, but the referee was having none of it.

With Consett a goal to the good and kicking with the wind after the break, the home supporters hoped they would go on and complete the job, to clinch a 1st Round tie at Dunston UTS. But it was Washington who again made all the running when the second half got underway. Centre-half Keith Foster hit a free-kick over the top and Fox was given a free header, which he put straight at Poskett, but on the hour Consett were made to pay for their lifeless display when Marc Hollingsworth, on as a half-time sub, levelled the scores. He took advantage of indecision in the home defence to fire home into the roof of the net from close range.

Rather than inspiring Consett to lift their game, the goal spurred the visitors on, and within three minutes they were ahead. A Foster free-kick from 25 yards went through the defensive wall, Poskett saved well low to his left, and Jamie Dawson reacted quickest to slam the loose ball home.

The introduction of Kieran Megran for Hewitson and Danny Craggs for Jonjo Dickman briefly sparked some life into the Steelmen. The two subs combined well down the right for Craggs to put in a good first-time cross, which skipper Carl Piecha headed over. Then Megran produced an equally good cross, from which Cuthbertson went close with a diving header, after taking the ball off Barton's toe as he prepared to volley.

But with five minutes left Washington clinched the win with a third goal. They broke down the left, and the impressive Martin's low cross found Hollingsworth free in the six-yard box, where he had the simple task of slotting past the helpless Poskett. When the final whistle went you wouldn't have found a single Consett supporter who wouldn't agree the better team had won, and the Steelmen were left to reflect on another season where they hadn't made a penny in the cups. Never mind, it's only Spennymoor away next Saturday

Full time: Consett 1-3 Washington

GARY WELFORD