CONSETT v PICKERING TOWN

FA Vase 2^nd Qualifying Round - 24 September 2016

Another FA Vase Saturday, and another drive up to the North Pennines on another fine day. Key differences from Tow Law a fortnight ago are the wind (too stiff to call a breeze), the pitch (3G), and the status of the teams who are a level up: Consett and Pickering Town are from step 5 leagues, respectively Northern League Division 1 and Northern Counties East Premier Division.

Belle View is a new ground with a small stand on each side, and a modern clubhouse that includes a veranda providing cover for those who prefer to stand, or sit at the tables in what forms an outdoor café-bar area. Most importantly today it provides shelter from the wind. Though the pitch is artificial the bounce of the ball (during the warm up seems at least) seems natural.

The first fifteen minutes sees play swing from end to end, both teams coping well with the crosswind. For Consett Lewis Teasdale has a couple of pots, easily fielded by the keeper; for Pickering Ryan Blott has a free kick that clips the bar. Then Pickering produce a fine sweeping move that carries the ball from left back to the right wing from where Ryan Cooper cuts in and drills a shot just wide of the far post.

On Pickering’s next foray forward Nick Thompson suckers Danny Craggs into an unwise challenge on the edge of the box and to the dismay of the home fans and players a penalty is awarded. Blott takes, but his attempted roll into the bottom corner of the net is underhit and Chris Elliot saves at full stretch.

Consett get the next chance, again it is Teasdale who finds some space ten yards from goal but his chest trap is poor and the resulting shot weak. In contrast Pickering’s next attempt is from fifty yards, as a volleyed clearance from the centre half has Elliot scampering to guard one of his goalposts as the ball bounces close.

On the half hour some trickery by Teasdale releases team mate Michael Sweet but his shot is tipped past the far post by Toby Wells. His opposite number Elliot is in action next when Blott, stood on the penalty spot, volleys a cleared corner straight at him. Tit for tat continues as Teasdale shoots narrowly wide for Consett.

Minutes off half time a Pickering through ball sees Blott battle with the centre half and prevail sufficiently to toe poke the ball past Elliot and into the net, getting some redemption for the penalty miss. The even half could have gone either way so there remains plenty to play for tin the second forty-five.

Consett start the second half on attack and Teasdale again is prominent stabbing a shot on target that beats the keeper but is cleared off the line by a defender.

Pickering’s first attack of the half comes to a halt when the linesman flags and the referee blows his whistle. Keeper Elliot comes out of his goal to return the ball for what he and his team think is a Consett free kick for the offside flag. Unfortunately the referee’s whistle was for a Consett foul and Pickering’s Blott, alive to the opportunity, places the ball and lofts it into the empty net. Consett consternation has no effect on the officials and the home team now face an uphill task from two down.

To their credit they buckle to, and a header from Teasdale and shot from Slocombe come close then a cracking effort from substitute Lavery is well saved by Wells. But the forward effort is leaving them short in numbers at the back, where they are also found flat-footed and out of position when a simple through ball gives Nathen Kamara the freedom to stroll through the middle and slot Pickering’s third goal.

It’s a lost cause but Consett don’t give up and from a corner the ball falls to Sweet whose volley finds its way through the crowded box and into the goal to claw one back. Encouraged the Consett forwards begin to hit the target, but as they improve their game so does Pickering keeper Toby Wells, who caps a fine performance with a flying save to tip a free kick past the angle of post and bar. Consett can’t muster another chance and Pickering hold on comfortably to go through.

Consett lacked a bit of intensity, possibly a hangover from their tough FA Cup replay midweek when they lost 1-0 to Curzon Ashton from a few leagues up, playing much of the game with ten men. With today’s outcome the Steelmen’s cup runs have both ended in the space of a few days. The Pikes meanwhile go into the draw for the first round proper.