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Latest News
22 May 2013
WITH all the football played, and the farewells to Belle Vue said, it's time for the awards to be handed out, and it's a busy weekend for Consett AFC.
After an excellent first full season at the club, Matty Slocombe has been nominated for the Ebac Northern League's Young Player of the Year award. He's down to the last three and will find out if he's won at the Annual League Dinner on Friday night at Ramside Hall, Durham.
On Saturday night, the club holds its own presentation night, which kicks off in the clubhouse at 6pm. All players, officials, sponsors and fans are welcome, and a buffet will be provided.
Chairman Frank Bell will provide a progress report on the new stadium, and he's urging fans who might want a piece of Belle Vue as a keepsake to get in touch urgently on 07710 133694, as the demolition crews will move in next week to begin pulling the place apart.
And finally, League Chairman Mike Amos had some lovely things to say about the club on his blog on the NL website.
19 May 2013 |
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The curtain came down on football at Belle Vue Park this afternoon, as it staged the Northern League Cup Final between Newcastle Benfield and Spennymoor. It was only the second time the Final had been played at Consett - the only other occasion had been at the end of the 1979-80 season - and, as was the case 33 years, Spennymoor left Belle Vue with the trophy. Moors won 1-0 with a goal from Gavin Cogden after 20 minutes, who scored with a close range diving header from Griffith's cross. |
15 May 2013 |
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IN their final game at Belle Vue Park, Consett succumbed to an early second-half onslaught to go down 6-0 to a strong Newcastle XI. The Steelmen had acquitted themselves more than adequately in the first half and were unfortunate to trail 1-0 at half-time to a Brad Inman goal. But strikes shortly after the break by Inman again, a James Tavernier penalty, Roland Aarons and Jonathan Quinn put the visitors out of sight before Remie Streete rounded off the scoring late on.
> Match report and pictures |
14 May 2013
A reminder that Consett's last ever game at Belle Vue Park is tomorrow night, Wednesday 15 May, when they will be entertaining a Newcastle United XI in a friendly. The Magpies have promised to send as strong a side as possible for the occasion, with the squad hopefully featuring the likes of Gael Bigiramana, Shane Ferguson and Romain Amalfitano among others. The match is a 7:00 pm kick off, and admission is £5 for adults, £3 for OAPs, and £1 for Under-16s.
13 May 2013 |
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Consett's final competitive game at Belle Vue ended in defeat as Newcastle Benfield won 2-1 to secure First Division safety. After a fairly uneventful first half hour, Benfield raced into a 2-0 lead with two goals in three minutes. First ex-Steelman Gary Ormston fired a loose ball into the bottom corner after keeper Peter Jameson had failed to gather a cross from the right. Then in the 40th minute Benfield manager Steve Bowey scoreed a rather fortuitous second when a left wing corner floated towards goal hit the post, rebounded off some part of Bowey's anatomy and dropped into the net. This made the score the same as when the game was abandoned two weeks ago, but Consett pulled one back in first half stoppage time when Aris Guerin-Lokonga beat the offside trap and squared for Michael Mackay to bag his 35th goal of the season (pictured above). There was no further scoring in the second half, but Benfield were grateful to Kevin Leighton in the 89th minute when he threw himself in the path of Steven Aiston's goalbound volley to make a miraculous headed clearance. The defeat means that Sunderland RCA are relegated. Full match report and pictures to follow.
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11 May 2013 |
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Consett shared the spoils with FA Vase Winners Spennymoor Town in a highly entertaining 2-2 daw at Belle Vue Park this afternoon. Had this been, as was intended, Consett's last competitive fixture at the old ground then it would have been a more than suitable way to sign off, as both teams went at it hammer and tongs with little more than pride to play for. Consett opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Kieran Martin broke down the right and picked out Michael Mackay. The leading scorer's shot was blocked but the ball fell to Aris Guerin-Lokonga who drilled home a low shot into the bottom corner (pictured above). There was a stroke of fortune about Consett's second on the stroke of half time. Spenny's stand-in keeper Carl Beasley had his clearance charged down by man-of-the-moment Guerin-Lokonga and the ball rolled a full 25 yards into the vacant net. Spenny, with the wind behind them in the second half, pulled a goal back on 51 minutes through Craig Ruddy. Consett looked like hanging on until four minutes from time Stephen Capper's cross was headed home by Chris Mason. Moors could have stolen the points in the 89th minute when substitute Steven Richardson hit the post, but a draw was a fair result in the end. Full match report and pictures to follow.
Video highlights can be seen at the NLFPP site here |
9 May 2013
Consett are pleased to announce that their final game at Belle Vue Park will be a friendly against a Newcastle United XI, which has been arranged for Wednesday 15 May, with a 7:00 pm kick off. Again, the admission is £5 for adults, £3 for OAPs, and £1 for Under-16s.
Before that, their final league game will now be the re-arranged fixture against Newcastle Benfield. The first game was abandoned due to floodlight failure in the 78th minute on the 29 April, and it had been hoped that the result would be allowed to stand. However as it is still possible that Benfield could be relegated, the League have decreed the game should be replayed and this will take place on Monday 13 May, kick off 7:00 pm.
8 May 2013 |
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A storming second half comeback by a youthful Sunderland side saw them run out 4-1 winners at Belle Vue this evening. The friendly, organised as part of the celebrations to mark the end of football at Consett's home for the last 63 years, was an entertaining and keenly contested one. Consett had much the better of the first half, but only led by one goal. That came on 27 minutes when a Kieran Martin shot was parried by the keeper and Aris Guerin-Lokonga was on hand to head in the rebound (pictured above). It was all change after the interval though, and the catalyst was the introduction, as a half time substitute, of Sunderland's Tommy Robson. The son of Consett assistant manager David, he levelled the scores five minutes into the second half when he latched onto Ryan Noble's cross. Noble himself made it 2-1 seven minutes later scoring from the rebound when Louis Laing's shot was saved. On 63 minutes Robson bagged his second and Sunderland's third, turning Michael Pearson inside out before slotting into the bottom corner. He saved the best until last though, with a stunning goal to complete his hat trick eight minutes from time. Picking up Elliott's poor clearance he controlled with his chest, lifted the ball over a defender before volleying home in a goal very reminiscent of Paul Gascoigne's against Scotland at Euro 96.
> Match report and pictures
> Video highlights can be seen here |
6 May 2013 |
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Consett went down 1-2 at home to Marske United in today's Bank Holiday Monday fixture. Following on from Friday's excellent win at Whitley Bay, The Steelmen's end-of-season random results generator today threw up a defeat in a game where they never really got started. Adam Wheatley's near post glancing header put the visitors ahead in the 25th minute. Then John Alexander raced on to Karl Charlton's through ball to round Chris Elliott an make it 0-2 ten minutes later. Consett had the chances, the best of which fell to Michael Mackay who saw a superb volley crash against the crossbar after 79 minutes. Eventually Consett pulled one back two minutes into stoppage time when Ian Davidson'd free kick was sliced into his own net by Marske defender Josh Myers (pictured above), but by then it was too late.
> Match report and pictures |
4 May 2013
Consett AFC are preparing a triple celebration as they leave Belle Vue Park, their home of 63 years. The club, who will play in a new purpose-built stadium next season, begin the countdown in earnest on Wednesday 8 May, with a friendly against a Sunderland XI. The opposition is quite apt, as the first game staged at the ground was against Sunderland Reserves in the old North Eastern League on 19 August, 1950. The match kicks off at 7pm, and admission is £5 for adults, £3 for OAPs, and £1 for Under-16s. A good crowd is hoped for, as the club have used social networking site Twitter recently to build a growing band of young fans, the 'Conny Army'. A special souvenir programme will be on sale, with plenty of Belle Vue-themed content, priced £2.
The Steelmen's final league game is on Saturday 11 May, at 3pm, against newly-crowned FA Vase winners Spennymoor Town. Consett have resisted the temptation to cash in, and will be charging the usual admission prices for the game, as detailed above.
Finally, the curtain comes down on Belle Vue when it hosts the League Cup Final, Newcastle Benfield v Spennymoor Town, on Saturday 18 May. Kick-off is 3pm, and with no Premier League, Championship or Northern League games that day, chairman Frank Bell is hoping for a good crowd, of anything from 500-1,000. Recent home games have seen a steady trickle of groundhoppers from as far as away as Cleethorpes, London, Brighton, Watford, and even one from Holland. More are expected for the last-ever game at the ground, which was voted one of the Northern League's favourites in a poll a few years ago. Admission (set by the league) is £5 and £3 for all concessions. A special matchday programme will be priced at £1.50.
3 May 2013
Consett won at Hillheads for the first time in eight years tonight, with two goals from top scorer Michael Mackay giving them a 2-0 victory over third-placed Whitley Bay. He scored from the penalty spot after just two minutes after being
hauled down in the box, and grabbed his 34th goal of the season a minute after the break with a sweet strike after exchanging passes with Calvin Smith. Bay hit the post three times and missed an injury-time penalty of their own, but it was
a well-earned three points for the Steelmen, who rose a place to eighth in the table.
> Match report
30 April 2013
CONSETT have secured a prestigious home friendly against Sunderland AFC to be played next Wednesday 8 May, with a 7:00 kick off. This is one of a sequence of games to bring down the curtain on Belle Vue's 63-year history, as The Northern League Cup Final is also being staged at Consett's soon-to-be former ground. It is fitting that Sunderland should provide the opposition for one of the last games to be held at the old stadium, as it was their Reserve side that were the opposition for the first game played there back in August 1950.
29 April 2013 |
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Consett and Newcastle Benfield will have to do it all again after the Belle Vue floodlights caused tonight's match to be abandoned in the 78th minute, with the visitors 2-0 up and looking comfortable following first-half goals from Stephen Young and Gareth Williams. It was the second time this season floodlight failure has resulted in a premature end to a game, although unlike the match against Guisborough, it was all the lights going off rather than just one set. The game will have to be replayed, though with matches on Friday night, Bank Holiday Monday and the following Saturday, it's unclear when it can take place. |
27 April 2013 |
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Consett returned to winning ways with a 1-0 home win over Dunston UTS this afternoon. There was no scoring in a largely uneventful first half, with both sides showing the effects of playing their fourth game in seven days. The closest either side came to scoring was when Dunston's Stephen Goddard was denied by a brave stop from Peter Jameson in the Consett goal (pictured above). The deadlock was eventually broken in the 73rd minute when Michael Mackay got the all-important goal.
> Match report and pictures |
25 April 2013 |
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Two goals in five minutes midway through the second half saw the end of Consett's unbeaten run as they went down 0-2 at home to Penrith. A depleted and tired-looking Consett side just ran out of steam in the second half after having the better of things before the break. The Penrith woodwork had been rattled twice, courtesy of Penrith defender Grant Davidson's stray backpass, and then Luke Sullivan. Consett were also denied a strong penalty shout when a Sullivan shot was blocked on the line by Davidson's hand (pictured above), only for the referee to deem it accidental. Steven Rigg put the visitors ahead in the 62nd minute with a looping header from a Kevin Holliday cross, then five minutes lates Richard Faustino drilled home a low shot from 20 yards to put the matter beyond doubt.
> Match report and pictures |
23 April 2013 |
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Consett's recent winning streak came to an end at Belle Vue tonight when they were held to a 1-1 draw by a battling South Shields. It was the proverbial game of two halves, with neither side looking like scoring in a drab opening 45 minutes. After the break, the Mariners, who needed to win to give themselves a chance of avoiding relegation, went on the attack, but it was Consett who scored first on the hour. Luke Sullivan scored his sixth goal in his last four games, smashing the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. But a spirited Shields side levelled on 70 minutes when Colin White scored from a rebound after Chris Elliott had saved Jonny Wightman's shot. Andrew Cuthbertson nearly won it for Consett with an effort that hit the bar, and Stephen Ramsey almost snatched it in injury time for Shields, whose relegation is confirmed. Full match report and pictures to follow. |
20 April 2013 |
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Consett's recent incredible run of form continued today as they ran out comfortable 4-1 winners against Billingham Synthonia at a sunny Belle Vue. Their eighth win in eleven games was never in doubt from the moment Luke Sullivan drilled home the opener in the 21st minute. Despite losing Jack Stanger to injury soon after, Consett doubled their lead through Aris Guerin-Lokonga in the fourth minute of added on time at the end of the first half. A Danny Newby penalty three minutes after the restart gave the Synners hope, but Sullivan's piledriver of a free kick (pictured above) on the hour mark restored Consett's two goal advantage. Mattie Slocombe headed home the fourth seven minutes later from a peach of a cross by Michael Pearson and the Steelmen saw out the remaining time with minimal fuss. Full report and pictures to follow. |
17 April 2013 |
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Consett made it four wins in seven days tonight when they beat Sunderland RCA 3-0 at a windswept Belle Vue. Recent signing Aris Guerin-Lokonga opened the scoring against his old club on 20 minutes with a penalty after Luke Sullivan had been bundled over. Two minutes later Sullivan doubled the lead when he smashed home a tremendous volley from a corner. The visitors' best chance of the first half was when they were awarded a penalty five minutes before the break, but Chris Elliott pulled off a fine save from Jamie Clarke's spot kick (pictured) - his second penalty save in a week. Sullivan made it 3-0 with his 10th goal of the season on 56 minutes, reacting quickest after Anthony Lund's shot was parried by the RCA keeper. The result lifted Consett to 9th place - their highest of the season. Full report and pictures to follow. |
15 April 2013 |
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TWO goals in three minutes at the start of the second half gave the Steelmen their third away win in five days in a controversial game at the King George V ground. They were second-best for much of a drab, goalless first half, even though Town had striker Daniel Johnson sent off for swearing at referee Tom Rodgers after 25 minutes. But they went ahead a minute after the break when ex-Consett player Jamie Poole spooned the ball into his own net while trying to clear Michael Mackay's scuffed shot. There was no mistaking the scorer three minutes later when a poor kick by keeper Shane Bland went straight to Mackay, who rounded him and finished into the unguarded goal for his 31st of the season. Full match report and pictures to follow. |
13 April 2013 |
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Consett completed the double over Bedlington Terriers with an excellent 3-1 win at their Welfare Park this afternoon. The Steelmen led by two at half time, the first coming from the boot of Luke Sullivan, whose superb shot on the turn opened the scoring in the 28th minute. The second came two minutes before the break when Richard Pell attempted to clear a Craig Robson corner but succeeded only in slicing the ball into his own net (pictured above). Consett's third, mid-way through the second half was a picture book goal, with a magnificent cross from Sullian powered home from by the head of Aris Guerin-Lokonga. Pell made amends for his earlier own goal when he headed home a consolation for the Terriers ten minutes from time, but it couldn't take the gloss off a brilliant team performance from Consett. Full match report and pictures to follow. |
11 April 2013
CONSETT registered an excellent 4-0 away win at relegation-threatened Norton & Stockton Ancients this evening, with Michael Mackay scoring three of his side's goals to bag his third hat trick of the season. Mackay opened the scoring when he netted the rebound from an Aris Guerin-Lokonga shot. It was 2-0 at the break, with the prolific number 10 having doubled his and Consett's tally drilling a shot home from a knock down by Mattie Slocombe. Consett keeper Chris Elliot saved a Norton penalty shortly before Consett got their third goal, scored by Calvin Smith after more good work from Slocombe. Mackay then broke through the middle to slot home his third and round off a very satisfactory night's work.
> Match report
9 April 2013
CONSETT mounted a spirited comeback after falling four goals behind to third-placed West Auckland - but it wasn't quite enough as the visitors recorded their fifth successive win at Belle Vue. Former Steelman Mattie Moffat had a header cleared off the line before West took the lead on 16 minutes, when Moffat's pass put strike partner John Campbell clear to finish past the exposed Chris Elliott. When Campbell made it two eight minutes later, Consett were up against it, and their task looked impossible when two goals in two minutes at the start of the second half left them 0-4 down, Jonathan Gibson scoring in the 50th minute, and Stuart Banks adding another a minute later. The Steelmen weren't down and out, however, and Michael Mackay reduced the deficit on 65 minutes. When Aristote Guerin-Lokonga got his third goal in three games on 74 minutes, home fans began to believe an unlikely comeback was on. As the game entered injury time, Mackay headed his 27th goal of the season to make it 3-4, but Consett simply ran out of time to find an equaliser.
> Match report
6 April 2013 |
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Consett let a two goal lead slip as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Ashington today. Playing their first home game for a month, The Steelmen got off to a dream start when Michael Mackay's venomous strike after just 90 seconds opened the scoring. When Mackay's deflected cross was headed home by Ryan Bell (pictured above) ten minutes before half time, it looked like Consett would go on to record their fourth win in five games. However two golas in three minutes from ex-Steelman Marc Walton midway through the second half levelled the scores and although both sides had chances to win it, there was no further scoring.
> Match report and pictures |
3 April 2013
Consett bounced back from the disappointment of Saturday's defeat at Billingham Town with a fine 2-1 away win at Penrith this evening. The game was a personal triumph for new signing Aristote Guerin-Lokonga who marked his debut by scoring both of Consett's goals. He took just six minutes to open his account, and gave the Steelmen a two-goal lead at the break with his second four minutes before half time. Davidson's looping header gave the home side hope of a fightback 11 minutes from time, but Consett held on for the win.
> Match report
3 April 2013
Consett's outstanding fixture list has been reduced with the scheduling of the following midweek games in April ...
Tue 9 Apr West Auckland Town (H)
Thu 11 Apr Norton & Stockton Ancients (A)
Mon 15 Apr Guisborough Town (A)
Wed 17 Apr Sunderland RCA (H)
Tue 23 Apr South Shields (H)
Thu 25 Apr Penrith (H)
That leaves four games still unscheduled, so given that Consett are already playing three games a week in April it seems inevitable that the season will be extended by at least a week.
Full updated fixture list
2 April 2013
Some transfer news: Consett have signed striker Aristote Guerin-Lokonga from 1st Division rivals Sunderland RCA. Tall, quick and powerful, he previously played for Jarrow Roofing and Newcastle Benfield, and has had trials with Sunderland and Torquay United. The squad has also been bolstered for the onslaught of games to come by the signing of two midfielders - Mark Patterson returning from Chester-le-Street and Barry Lindoe, the manager's son, who usually plays for Annfield Plain in the Wearside League. 31 March 2013
Tomorrow's home game against Sunderland RCA has been POSTPONED, Belle Vue is still covered in snow.
30 March 2013 |
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Missed chances proved costly for Consett as they lost 1-0 to relegation-threatened Billingham Town this afternoon. Although Danny Brunskill hit the bar after just two minutes, Consett had good chances to take a first-half lead through Michael Mackay (three times), Steven Aiston and Ryan Bell. Chris Elliott also saved well from former Steelman Harrison Davies and Glen Butterworth, and it was 0-0 at half-time. The moment which decided the game came midway through the second half, when the visiting defence was caught out by a long ball. Scott Martindale was judged to have clipped the heels of Nicky Martin as he tried to get back, and was shown a red card as well as conceding a penalty. Butterworth sent Elliott the wrong way from the spot to give Town their fourth win in five games and lift them out of the bottom three.
> Match report and pictures |
28 March 2013
With no improvement in the weather, tonight's game at home to West Auckland is POSTPONED. Snow has drifted to 8 inches in places and the pitch is frozen.
26 March 2013
With Belle Vue still snowbound and frozen, tonight's home game against Marske United was POSTPONED. This is the 21st postponement Consett have suffered as a result of the weather this winter (16 home, 5 away), as well as two abandonments, and with no improvements in the conditions forecast there must be a serious risk of that becoming 22 with a home game against West Auckland scheduled for this Thursday.
22 March 2013
Unsurprisingly, with Belle Vue still under several inches of snow, Consett's home game against Newcastle Benfield tomorrow has been POSTPONED.
20 March 2013
Consett's backlog of fixtures means that we are now officially at the three-games-a-week stage. The first manifestation of this comes with the news that last night's postponed home game against West Auckland Town has been hastily re-arranged for next Thursday, 28 March. Kick off is 7:30pm. This means Consett now have six games scheduled in an 11 day period between 23 March and 3 April.
18 March 2013
Tomorrow night's home game against West Auckland Town has been POSTPONED due to a snowbound Belle Vue pitch.
16 March 2013 |
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A goal at the start of each half from Michael Mackay gave Consett a 2-0 win at Dunston UTS this afternoon. Never a happy hunting ground for the Steelmen, this was only their second-ever win at Dunston, but it turned out to be a surprisingly comfortable win against a lack-lustre home side. Mackay scored his first after seven minutes, creating space for himself on the edge of the area before rifling a superb left foot strike into the top corner (pictured above). It was 2-0 five minutes into the second half when Mackay dispossessed UTS full back Steven Pickering to leave himself with just the keeper to beat, which he did with ease.
> Match report and pictures
Video highlights can be seen at the NLFPP site here |
13 March 2013
With contracts due to be signed any day now, after planning permission was finally granted last week, supporters are being invited to share the moment many feared might never arrive - the ground-breaking ceremony for the new stadium. It's being held at 5.30pm this Thursday, 14th March, at the Crookhall site, and anyone interested in watching a little bit of local history being made is welcome to go along.
Chairman Frank Bell said: "All issues with regard to the highways and planning have been eradicated, and I am now pleased to say - for the whole community, not just Consett AFC - that we can now move on in a positive manner, rather than generating negative headlines. An incredible amount of effort has been put in by so many people on this development over such a long period of time, and we are all very grateful for their support and hard work.
"The delays have cost the club a great deal of money, and could have even threatened its very existence. When you consider the fact that we have 40 teams, providing football for more than 700 children and over 200 adults, then this would have been unthinkable for a club with a 114-year history. I really hope the whole community pulls behind this now. We expect to get the handover of the pitch on 16 September, and the whole stadium by 25 October at the latest.
"We should be proud that within a couple of years we will have a wonderful new school with state-of-the-art technology for our children, an excellent 21st century leisure centre, two new swimming pools of the latest design, and of course, a new football stadium that won't just be the home to Consett AFC and Consett Juniors, but which will all used for the whole community, covering all age groups and meeting many of its social needs.
"These are really exciting times, but we still have a great deal of work to do, and the football club itself has to raise a six-figure sum to pay towards the start-up costs, and we will be very active in the coming months to achieve this for all of us. I would thank you all for your support in the past, the present and hopefully the future, and add that I feel incredibly proud to be part of what will be historic times for Consett AFC.
12 March 2013
Consett picked up their first victory in six games, beating South Shields 2-1 in a match hastily switched to Filtrona Park from ice-bound Belle Vue. But despite dominating from almost start to finish, it took a goal three minutes from time from substitute Luke Sullivan to wrap up the three points. After a goalless first half, the Mariners took the lead on 59 minutes when Stephen Ramsey's header from a Denver Morris cross looped in over Consett keeper Chris Elliott. Leading scorer Michael Mackay levelled on 75 minutes from a Craig Robson through ball, and then Sullivan combined well with Ryan Bell down the right before cutting in and drilling the ball into the bottom left corner for a well-deserved winner.
> Match report
In other news, Consett have signed 18-year-old Kieran Martin, a second-year scholar at Sunderland AFC Academy, on loan - or 'work experience' as it's known. A Shotley Bridge lad, he plays in midfield or at the back.
11 March 2013
With absolutely no chance of Tuesday's scheduled home game against South Shields going ahead at snow and ice-bound Belle Vue, The Mariners have agreed to try to stage the game at their Filtrona Park ground. Their home game on Saturday v Dunston also fell victim to the weather, however, and a pitch inspection will be carried out at 1pm to see if it stands a chance of taking place. Updates will be issued via Facebook and Twitter as soon as we have them.
9 March 2013
Another fixture has been added to Consett's mounting backlog as today's home game against Spennymoor Town has been POSTPONED. Overnight snow and rain which has left Belle Vue waterlogged (see below).
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5 March 2013 |
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A disappointing defeat for Consett as they went down 0-1 at home to Team Northumbria at a cold and misty Belle Vue this evening. In an even but goalless first half the closest either side came to scoring was when Ryan King hit the post from close range. There were few chances in the second half but the decisive one fell to Mark Fenwick 14 minutes from time, and he prodded the ball from 10 yards after a hopeful ball into the box fell kindly at his feet. Mattie Slocombe saw a superb volley tipped over the bar by keeper Jennison in the 82nd minute but Consett couldn't find an equaliser and extended their poor recent run to just one win in ten games.
> Match report and pictures |
2 March 2013 |
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Consett registered their third 1-1 draw in four games when they shared the points at Hebburn Town this afternoon. After an utterly tedious first half, which Consett had the better of without carving out a clear cut chance, the Steelmen took the lead on the hour mark. Hebburn keeper Daniel Regan came charging out of his goal to collect a long clearance by Chris Elliott, but he was beaten to it by Ryan King who lifted the ball over him and into the net (pictured above - credit to programme editor Gary Welford for some top quality camera work!). Consett were so much on top at this stage that it seemed only a case of seeing the game out. However Hebburn substitute James Luccock transformed the game, and it was his goalbound shot that was blocked by Ryan King's flailing arm seven minutes from time which led to the award of a penalty for the home side. Stuart Nicholson sent Elliott the wrong way from the spot to deny Consett what would have been their first away win since mid-October.
> Match report and pictures |
26 February 2013 |
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Consett bounced back from last week's defeat at Shildon by taking a point from Central Avenue after a 1-1 draw with Billingham Synthonia. In a game of few clear-cut chances, Chay Liddle put Synners ahead in the 27th minute, firing past Chris Elliott after latching onto a stray defensive header. Top scorer Michael Mackay secured a point for Consett with his 21st goal of the season, eight minutes from time.
> Match report and pictures |
24 February 2013 |
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Consett AFC is bidding for funding of up to £3,000 to help it develop the local football heroes of the future - and the club needs your help! It is one of more than two dozen applicants for a share of £40,000 in grants available from the Derwent Valley Area Action Partnership (DVP). Who gets the funding is decided by a public vote - and that's where supporters of Consett AFC and Consett Juniors can do their bit. The It's Up 2 U scheme is being run for the second time by the DVP.
The scheme encourages local community groups and organisations to apply for a grant of between £500 and £3,000 to deliver a project or activity in their area. A total of 26 bids have made it through to the community voting event, which is being held at Derwentside College in Consett on Saturday, 2nd March. Anyone who lives, work, volunteers or studies in the Derwent Valley and is aged 11 or over is being invited along to vote for their favourite four projects. This is your chance to have a say on how public money is spent in the area.
The club is bidding for £3,000 to buy new equipment which will benefit Consett Juniors and other young players from the 2013/14 season. That is when the Football Association has brought in new rules for junior football, which require the game to be played on smaller pitches with smaller goalposts. We would like to buy mini-soccer aluminium goals and 9-a-side goals to benefit the 34 junior teams and other young people who will be using the facilities - hopefully at the new ground at Crookhall.
Drop into Derwentside College any time between 10am and 2.30pm on the day - you could pop in before heading off to support the Steelmen at Hebburn - and browse the stalls before deciding how to cast your vote ... hopefully in favour of the Consett AFC application.
Consett AFC chairman Frank Bell said: "We need as much support as possible at this event. We have made a grant application for £3,000 to assist us to purchase the new goals, which we require not only for the new community facility, but also to help meet the changes the FA have brought in for junior football. "New rules mean our Under-12s and below will be playing matches in nine, seven and 5-a-side formats, which will help a great deal in giving young players more time on the ball, playing on pitches which are appropriate for them, which should give them a better opportunity to develop their skills. "The basis of the awarding of the grant is on votes gained. As such we need as many people as possible to come along to the event and give us their vote. "Without the support of these events it will be very difficult for us to achieve our needs for the 700-plus juniors we have and the rest of the community users."
The projects that receive the most public votes will be announced between 3pm-4pm on the day.
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24 February 2013
Tuesday's game against Billingham Synthonia has now been switched to their Central Avenue ground (and thus brought forward from 20 April). With Belle Vue still under several inches of snow, there is more chance Synners' ground being playable, although their home fixture against West Auckland yesterday was also postponed. Kick off will be 7.30pm.
Also, another of our outstanding home fixtures has been pencilled in, for Tuesday 19 March - West Auckland.
23 February 2013
Today's scheduled home game against Marske United was POSTPONED following 4-5in of snow overnight in Consett. The next home game, versus Billingham Synthonia on Tuesday night, already looks extremely doubtful. If it falls victim to the weather too, that will leave six home games to be rearranged.
Another of our backlog of games has been re-arranged. We will play South Shields at home on Tuesday, 12 March, kick-off 7.30pm.
20 February 2013 |
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Consett's fourth meeting of the season with Shildon ended the same way as two of the first three - in defeat. They trailed 1-0 at half-time at Dean Street to a 24th-minute Mark Hudson penalty after Craig Robson was adjudged to have brought down Chris Hughes. They had their chances - Michael Mackay having a shot cleared off the line by a defender after rounding the keeper and Andrew Cuthbertson forcing a good save from Keith Finch in the Shildon goal. But the second half was nothing short of a disaster, and further goals from Jamie Owens (49), Carl Jones (63) and Hudson again (73) left the Steelmen staring their heaviest loss of the season in the face. Pride kicked in, however, and Mackay made it 1-4 on 76 minutes, firing his 20th goal of the season into the top corner, and that's how it stayed.
> Match report and pictures |
16 February 2013 |
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Consett came within two minutes of completing the double over high-flying Bishop Auckland, but were denied by an injury-time equaliser at Heritage Park in a 1-1 draw. Chances were few and far between in a stoppage-ravaged first half, but Michael Mackay gave them the lead from the penalty spot on 49 minutes after Matty Slocombe had been fouled. Mackay and Ryan King had chances to wrap up the game, but Bishops striker Andy Johnson, the league's top scorer, glanced home a header from a corner in the third minute of injury time, and the Steelmen had to settle for a point.
> Match report and pictures |
12 February 2013
Yet another fixture bit the dust as Consett's home game with Dunston UTS this evening was POSTPONED due to a combination of snow and a frozen pitch.
One of our backlog of games has been re-arranged though, the home game against Team Northumbria will now take place on Tuesday 5 March 2013.
9 February 2013 |
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Consett cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Norton & Stockton Ancients this afternoon, in a game that they probably should have won by a greater margin. Playing their first home game for over a month The Steelmen dominated throughout, and looked to be denied a clear penalty in the 27th minute. Michael Mackay was felled by Norton skipper Mulligan (pictured above) and with players from both sides looking to the referee the man in black ignored Consett's appeals. Four minutes later though the home side took the lead when Ryan King capitalised on a defensive mistake and fired home from 12 yards. Despite constant pressure and numerous chances Consett had to wait until virtually the last kick of the game to make the points safe. New signing Liam O'Mahoney had the easiest of tap-ins after Norton keeper Provett could only parry Ryan Bell's shot.
> Match report and pictures |
9 February 2013
Following an 11:00 pitch inspection today's home game with Norton and Stockton Ancients has been given the go ahead and is ON.
6 February 2013
Frustration all round as Consett's away game at Norton and Stockton Ancients this evening was called OFF by the referee just half an hour before kick off due to a waterlogged pitch.
2 February 2013
Consett returned to action after a 24-day weather-enforced lay-off by making their first ever visit to Celtic Nation, coming away with a point after a 2-2 draw. Following a goalless first half, Consett raced into a two-goal lead thanks to a brace from young striker Ryan King, scored in the 47th and 56th minutes. The lead was short-lived however, Stephen Archibald pulling one back on the hour mark and Dean Douglas levelling the scores two minutes later.
> Match report
29 January 2013
Tonight's home game against South Shields has been POSTPONED. Belle Vue is still under about 6 inches of snow! See below ...
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26 January 2013
The continued prolonged spell of snow put paid to another game with the away game at South Shields today being POSTPONED.
23 January 2013
Tonight's away game at Guisborough Town has, unsurprisingly, been POSTPONED due to snow.
21 January 2013
Some re-arranged games for February to add to your diaries:
Wed 6 Feb 2013 Norton & Stockton (A)
Tue 12 Feb 2013 Dunston UTS (H)
Wed 20 Feb 2013 Shildon (A)
Tue 26 Feb 2013 Billingham Synthonia (H)
19 January 2013
Along with all other Northern League and FA Vase fixtures, today's home game against Penrith has been POSTPONED due to snow.
15 January 2013
With Belle Vue under several inches of snow, tonight's home game against Billingham Synthonia has been POSTPONED.
10 January 2013
A fixture alteration has been made for next Tuesday, 15 January 2013. Instead of entertaining West Auckland Town, who are now otherwise engaged with their re-arranged Durham Challenge Cup tie, Consett will now play host to Billingham Synthonia instead.
9 January 2013 |
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Consett's last chance of silverware this season disappeared at Shildon's Dean Street ground, as the Steelmen lost their Durham Challenge Cup 2nd Round tie 1-2 to the home side. Shildon led 1-0 at half time thanks to a superb strike from Billy Greulich-Smith after 22 minutes. Consett pressed for an equaliser after the break, but were also grateful to Chris Elloit for some superb saves to keep them in the game. The killer blow came twelve minutes from time when Elliot brought down Shildon substitute Chris Hughes in the box, and Robbie Briggs sent the keeper the wrong way from the resulting penalty. Andrew Cuthbertson swept home Michael Pearson's cross in the 84th minute to give some hope of a fightback, but Shildon saw out the closing stages to progress to the third round.
> Match report and pictures |
5 January 2013 |
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Two goals in the last three minutes meant that Newton Aycliffe left Belle Vue view with the points after inflicting a 1-3 defeat on the Steelmen. Fred Woodhouse opened the scoring two minutes from the end of a rotten first half, sending Chris Elliot's poor clearance back into the net via a deflection. Consett had a great chance to equalise on the hour mark, when they were awarded a penalty after Andrew Cuthbertson was brought down by Pocklington barely a yard from goal (the keeper surprisingly only seeing yellow for the offence). Luke Sullivan dragged the resulting penalty wide. Cuthbertson headed David Scorer's acrobatic volley into the net ten minutes later to make the score 1-1, but with the game seemingly heading for a draw late goals by Woodhouse and substitute Shaun Reay clinched the win for the visitors.
> Match report and pictures
Some urgent fixture news, the date of our Durham Challenge Cup 2nd Round game at Shildon has just been confirmed as THIS WEDNESDAY 9 January 2013, kick off 7:30pm. |
29 December 2012
After a 10am pitch inspection, today's game v Sunderland RCA is OFF. Pitch cut up badly on Boxing Day, lots of standing water and it's pouring down.
There are some re-arranged games in January to help ease our already massive fixture backlog:
Tue 15 Jan (H) West Auckland Town
Wed 23 Jan (A) Guisborough Town
Tue 29 Jan (H) South Shields
26 December 2012 |
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THERE was no festive cheer for Consett as they crashed to a defeat after having two men controversially sent off in their Boxing Day clash with Durham City. After a goalless first half things started to unravel a minute after the interval when Michael Pearson was shown a straight red, having been deemed to be the last man when bringing down Durham striker Scott Fenwick. Then in the 68th minute Durham were awarded a penalty when Anthony Lund was adjudged to have handled the ball on the ground in a goalmouth scramble. Lund was also sent off (pictured above), and when Oliver Hotchkiss converted the spot kick Consett found themselves a goal down with nine men, and without a recognised striker on the pitch with Michael Mackay having limped off and teenager Ryan King stretchered in the 10th minute off with what looked like a serious ankle injury. Fenwick doubled the visitors' advantage four minutes later to make the final score 0-2.
> Match report and pictures |
22 December 2012
More frustration for Consett as today's game at Guisborough Town was POSTPONED just over an hour before kick off due to a waterlogged pitch.
18 December 2012
Consett twice came from behind to record an excellent 4-2 win over fourth-placed Bishop Auckland at Belle Vue tonight, despite being without captain Carl Piecha and leading goalscorer Michael Mackay. The visitors went in front on 18 minutes when a shot by one former Steelman, Kieran Megran, was deflected in by another, Stephen Tobin. Luke Sullivan, making his first start in two months, levelled on 21 minutes, rifling a shot into the bottom corner. Bishops retook the lead five minutes into the second half through Kyle Swankie, but two goals in as many minutes - a Matty Slocombe header and a deflected Calvin Smith shot - put Consett in front. Smith then grabbed a second on 73 minutes to seal the win, and move Kenny Lindoe's side up two places, to 14th.
> Match report
15 December 2012
Today's home game against Team Northumbria has been POSTPONED. The pitch is still frozen in places with standing water on top.
11 December 2012
A DEPLETED Consett team were knocked out of the League Cup when, despite a spirited performance, they went down 1-3 to Whitley Bay at Hillheads in tonight's 2nd Round tie. With four defenders missing, manager Kenny Lindoe was forced to choose a makeshift back-four entirely made up of full-backs. He also gave debuts to two teenage midfielders, 18-year-old Scott Canham and 19-year-old Lewis Turnbull, who came on as an early sub. The home side took the lead five minutes before the break, when they broke from a Consett corner and Ashley Davis volleyed home. It was two on 57 minutes when Lee-Paul Scroggins was left unmarked at the back post, but Michael Mackay made things interesting when he lobbed keeper Kyle Davis eight minutes later to halve the arrears. It was all over with 15 minutes left when centre-half Brian Smith was given the freedom of the penalty area to power home a free-kick.
> Match report
8 December 2012
Today's game at Norton & Stockton Ancients has been POSTPONED. The pitch there has been waterlogged all week and has frozen overnight.
1 December 2012
Consett's home game with West Auckland Town today has been POSTPONED due to a frozen pitch at Belle Vue.
27 November 2012
A very waterlogged Belle Vue Park, this morning ...
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26 November 2012
With heavy rain continuing to fall on an already waterlogged Belle Vue pitch, Consett's home game tomorrow night against Billingham Synthonia has unsurprisingly been POSTPONED.
24 November 2012 |
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Consett were unlucky to come out of a spirited performance against high-flying Whitley Bay with no points following their 0-1 defeat at Belle Vue. Whitley scored the only goal of the game in the 11th minute when Paul Chow volleyed home an Ashley Davis cross (pictured above). From then on Consett had much the better of things with Bay keeper Kyle Hayes making good saves from Anthony Lund and Steven Aiston in the first half. The second half was a much tighter affair with a Novak free kick for the visitors the closest either side came to scoring. However, on a rapidly deteriorating pitch - this was Consett's 23rd home game already including pre-season friendlies - neither really looked like adding to the scoreline.
> Match report and pictures |
20 November 2012
Consett returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Guisborough Town at Belle Vue this evening. The game - rearranged after the original match on 2 October was abandoned due to floodlight failure - was one of the most one-sided this season, but the Steelmen could not finish their opponents off. The only goal came a minute before half time when Matty Slocmbe volleyed home an Anthony Lund cross from six yards.
> Match report
17 November 2012
Huge disappointment for Consett today as they lost a two goal half time lead and went out of the FA Vase to Shildon. Coming into the game with a nine game unbeaten run things were looking rosy for the Steelmen when Michael Mackay put them ahead after just five minutes, with David Scorer finding the net for the third round in a row to make it 2-0 midway through the first half. However things went pear-shaped after the break with three goals in twenty minutes for Shildon, scored by Ben Wood (2), Sam Garvie, gave the Railwaymen a 3-2 win.
> Match report
10 November 2012 |
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A tremendous victory for Consett today as they beat third placed Bedlington Terriers 1-0 at Belle Vue. It was a game of few chances but a thoroughly absorbing contest nonetheless, with Scott Martindale bagging the only goal in first half stoppage time. Terriers' best chance came mid-way though a tight first half when Bannister had a free header from six yards but put it wide. Meanwhile Kevin Morton saved a Michael Mackay header at the other end. Martindale's strike came following a corner which fell to Carl Piecha, who drilled the ball hard and low across goal and Martindale was on hand to turn it home from two yards out (pictured above). Consett completely dominated the second half and keeper Chris Elliott was a virtual spectator, however they couldn't turn their possession into further goals. Consett's ninth game unbeaten was also their third consecutive clean sheet as they continue to recover from a terrible start to the season.
> Match report and pictures |
5 November 2012
A SECOND stalemate in three days was the outcome of Consett's rearranged visit to Team Northumbria's Coach Lane Sports Complex, as they drew 0-0 on Bonfire Night. As at Ashington on Saturday, the Steelmen's best chance of a goal came from a Michael Mackay effort which hit the bar, while they had cause to be grateful to goalkeeper Chris Elliott for a couple of one-on-one saves. The result takes Kenny Lindoe's team's unbeaten run to eight games, with a run of six consecutive home matches to come.
> Match report
3 November 2012 |
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Stalemate at Woodhorn Lane as Ashington and Consett played out a goalless draw in today's Northern League Division One game. There was precious little action in an utterly tedious first half, Liam Atking going closest for the home side when he had a shot cleared off the line by Andrew Cuthbertson. A much improved second half saw Consett dominate possession without creating too many chances. The best of them fell to Michael Mackay who attempted to chip the keeper when clean through but the ball went inches over. At the other end ex-Consett striker Marc Walton saw a goalbound effort cleared by Scott Martindale.
> Match report and pictures |
1 November 2012
Some fixture changes - Bedlington Terriers and Whitley Bay have kindly agreed to our request to reverse our fixtures with them to keep April free of home games in the event that we begin our move to the new ground then. This means that we have two more home games in the next few weeks:
Sat 10 Nov (H) Bedlington Terriers
Sat 24 Nov (H) Whitley Bay
Sat 13 Apr (A) Bedlington Terriers
Sat 27 Apr (A) Whitley Bay
Also, In today's Durham Challenge Cup 2nd round draw, Consett were given an away tie at Shildon. The Railwaymen are becoming familiar opponents in the cups, given that we are due to play them in the FA Vase 2nd Round later this month, and they also knocked us out of last season FA Cup at the Extra Preliminary Round stage. The tie is to be played on or before 12 January 2013.
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Northern League Div 1