CONSETT suffered the frustration of being unable to build on their excellent win at Marske after their next game 48 hours later was abandoned at half-time due to torrential rain.

Despite a day of heavy rain, the home officials insisted all day that the pitch was up to hosting our first-ever league visit. However, they didn't reckon on the sheer volume of rain, which continued to fall well into the next day.

Arriving at the ground an hour before kick-off, the Students' pitch - one of the best playing surfaces in the Northern League - looked OK, but by the time the match kicked off at 7.30pm, standing water was already beginning to form in parts of the half Consett chose to attack.

It made passing the ball on the ground impossible, and it quickly became so bad that running with the ball was also ruled out.

The conditions were becoming dangerous long before referee Simon Clayton consulted both managers as the teams left the field at half-time, and then made the decision to abandon the game, which came as no surprise to anyone present.

Team Northumbria showed glimpses of the form which made them 2nd Division champions last season, and Consett keeper Chris Elliott had to be off his line quickly to save from John Sherlock and Dean Critchlow.

For Consett, Michael Mackay saw an effort from 20 yards swerve just wide, and he also played an important part in the 'goal', setting up strike partner Luke Sullivan, who finished into the corner from just inside the box.

The biggest shame was that just before half-time, as Sullivan tried to collect the ball on the edge of the rain-soaked box, he suffered an ankle injury which, for now, has interrupted what looks a very promising partnership with Mackay.

Rumours that a man in an ark was seen heading down the Coast Road on the way home are unfounded, but Team Northumbria's No 9 Sherlock pretty much summed it up when he Tweeted: "Game did well to last 45 mins on the paddling pool tonight."

GARY WELFORD