CONSETT'S Jekll and Hyde season continued as they bowed meekly out of a competition in which they fancied their chances of success. Although they were missing half a dozen players for a variety of reasons, they were a pale imitation of the side they’d been over the few games, and were swept aside by a fired-up Billingham Town.

Manager Kenny Lindoe made four changes to the side which came from two goals down to win a good point at Sunderland RCA on Saturday. Barry Poskett was picked ahead of Peter Jameson in goal for the first time in eight games, and Gavin Ross returned up front for the cup-tied David Molloy. With skipper Carl Piecha suspended and fellow defender Ryan Bell injured, a shake-up was also needed at the back. Matty Slocombe, who had played all his games so far in midfield, went to right-back, while Anthony Lund reprised his recent appearances at centre-back. Central midfield saw 17-year-old Jack Stanger make his first start alongside captain-for-the-night Jonjo Dickman, a veteran of more than 200 games for the Steelmen.

Consett’s 35-goal top scorer Michael Mackay had a half-chance at the other end, but shot wide, and then seemed to be pulled back by a defender as he tried to take the ball past goalkeeper James Briggs just inside the penalty area. The incident happened right in front of the linesman, whose flag stayed down.

Poskett saved well from lively striker David Onions as his defence failed to deal with a right-wing corner, but the keeper could do nothing on 22 minutes as centre-back Chris Dunwell headed home from a deep free-kick by Glen Butterworth to make it 2-0.

Dale Burrell struck a low shot wide before Consett had a second decent penalty shout turned down when Dickman appeared to be tripped by Richard Gaston as he tried to go past him. Again the officials weren’t interested, and the visitors were denied a possible foothold back into the game.

Burrell was within inches of getting one back right on half-time when Dickman played a free-kick short to him 25 yards out, but his rising shot just cleared the bar.

Half time: Billingham 3-0 Consett

Left-back David Brown also wasn’t too far away with a 30-yarder at the start of the second half, but within eight minutes of the re-start, the game was well and truly lost. A good move down the right saw a good shooting opportunity worked for Alan Cossavella, and although Poskett got a firm hand to his low shot, he could only push it out as far as Onions, who accepted the simple finish from eight yards with relish.

With the game effectively over, both sides made full use of their substitutes, with Consett giving a debut to 16-year-old striker Ryan King, and he at least forced a save from Briggs four minutes from time – the keeper’s first of the night

Mackay almost got a consolation goal in added time after creating his own space for a shot, but Briggs saved his low, bobbling effort well, and then thwarted substitute Paul Oxley from the follow-up. There was just time for Mackay to plant a header straight at the keeper before the referee called the one-sided contest to a halt.

It was a game which perfectly illustrated Consett's season – they were as bad here as they were good for long spells in the last few games. But with vital games to come against most of the sides around them, they can’t afford too many more off-days like this if they aren’t to be dragged back into the relegation scrap.

Full time: Billingham 4-0 Consett

GARY WELFORD