Consett 5 Esh Winning 1

CONSETT bounced back from a heavy midweek defeat at Whitley Bay with this emphatic victory over Esh Winning in the Albany Northern League first division.

The win lifts the Steelmen off the bottom of the division one table.

A win, let alone a big win, didn't look on the cards, however, when Esh took a fifth minute lead. Following a good build-up down the right flank Burns' cross fell nicely to Messer who turned and shot into the bottom corner.

But Consett soon started to make inroads into the shaky Esh defence. After 12 minutes Ian Davison's free-kick from the edge of the area was punched out by goalkeeper French, then two minutes later an unmarked Tony Halliday headed over.

Halliday had another chance but shot straight at French, and on the half hour Davison's cross was clawed away by the goalkeeper.

Two goals in two minutes turned the game in Consett's favour. After 32 minutes Scott Wilson's ball into the box was headed down by Thompson and prodded goalwards by Halliday with Colin McLeod providing the finishing touch.

Then almost immediately the Steelmen were in front. Good play involving Thompson and Halliday saw the ball played to McLeod with his back to goal. But the in-form striker managed to turn and get his shot away but it was only half stopped by French and Lee Suddes fired in from a couple of yards.

The second period started in explosive fashion with each side having a player dismissed. Only three minutes after the restart Consett's Johnny Brown and Esh's Howe both saw red.

Consett soon got back to the job of winning the match and after 43 minutes they made it 3-1. Chris Hodgson made a great run to the by-line, cut the ball back to Suddes who floated a cross to the far post where McLeod stretched his neck muscles to direct a header into the bottom corner.

The Steelmen added to their tally through substitute Darren Grimes. Halliday robbed a defender just outside the box and the ball ran kindly to Grimes, who placed his shot with precision past the outstretched arm of the diving French.

As Consett took their foot off the peddle for a spell, Esh came more into the match with Gawthorpe and Mawson forcing fine saves.

Consett rounded off the scoring with 12 minutes to go. Thompson skipped past a defender on the Consett left and his cross, heading for the on-rushing McLeod, was diverted past his own goalkeeper by defender Emmerson.

Consett: Colling, Brown, Davison, Butler, Sugden, Halliday (Smith), Suddes (Grimes), Wilson (Lowdon), McLeod, Hodgson, Thompson.

Consett will be looking to build on this win when they entertain Chester-le-Street at Belle Vue on Saturday, ko 3pm.

Consett U9s lost 2-0 to Winlaton. MoM: Jordan Farrar. The U10s drew 0-0 with Whickham Fellside. MoM: Daniel Coombe. The U11s were at home to Redheugh and 4-1. Scorer: MoM Tom Johnson. The U12s were at Beamish and lost 7-0. MoM: Dean Renwick.

Consett U14s were at home to Burnside and won 5-3, their first of the season. Scorers: Andrew Gill, 3, David Herdman, Mark Nixon. MoM: Stephen Livingstone.

The U15s were at home to Leam Rangers and lost 2-0. MoM: Michael Smith. The U17s were at West Denton and won 5-3. Scorers: Daniel Appleby, 3, Paul Leighton, Andrew Morgan. MoM: John Page.

Blackfyne U8s beat Cleveland Hall Magenta 3-0. Peter Leech scored two, including one from his own half from the kick off. MoM Phil McConnell scored the other with a superb header. The U9 Greens beat Whickham Fellside 4-2. Scorers: Andrew Turnbull, Jordan Wearmouth, 2, MoM John Meadows.

The U10 Bullets beat Swalwell 2-1. Scorers: Sam Taylor, Benjamin Camsell. MoM: Rob McConnell. The Gunners lost 3-0 to Winlaton. MoM: James Baker. The U12s beat Whickham Fellside Reds 5-4. Scorers: Stephen Shaw, 2, Daniel Walker, MoM Andrew Rennoldson, 2. The U14s beat Beamish 3-0. Scorers: Shaun Donaghy, Martin O'Neill, Ellis Green. MoM: Lee Calvert