CONSETT 0-1 WEST AUCKLAND
Wednesday 31 October, 7:30PM, League Cup 2nd Round
An impressive team performance saw West Auckland deservedly knock high flying Consett out of the League Cup. It was an excellent defensive display whilst they came close to adding to Danny Richmond's first half solitary strike as West progressed to the 3rd Round.
It took just 2 minutes for the first sighting of goal for West Auckland - a neat one two between Thomas Louden and Dale Jardine saw the former shoot low but straight at the keeper.
Consett midfielder Mark Patterson warmed the hands of Lee Hutton with a 6th minute dipping shot that Wets's goalkeeper had to athletically turn round the post. His midfield partner Jonjo Dickman could not keep his effort down after latching onto a half clearance.
Gary Ormston's header proved decisive in the League match earlier in the season, in the 17th minute he could not quite get a full contact on his header and the chance had gone as both sides looked for a clear cut chance.
There were then 2 golden opportunities - one apiece, within a couple of minutes of each other. The first, after 18 minutes, saw Dale Jardine played in on the right hand side of the box. As James Platten came out to close the gap, Jardine took aim but screwed his shot the wrong side of the post. Consett responded with a deep cross that found Mattie Moffat stemming in at the back post only for the usually prolific forward man to direct his header wide.
West though were slowly beginning to make more of an impression going forward although after Dale Jardine beat 3 players, his driven ball in avoided everyone in the area and the opening came to nothing. The lead though wasn't long in coming for West Auckland.
7 minutes before the break Danny Richmond provided what turned out to be the winner. Dale Jardine's flick on found Thomas Louden, the forward threading a ball through the back line for Richmond to run onto and slide past James Platten at the near post.
West also came out of the traps quickly in the second half as well with debutant Bryan Stewart pulling a shot wide as the visitors looked for a second. However they were then dealt a blow with Thomas Louden limping off with an ankle injury that saw manager Lee Ellison enter the fray and he had an opportunity in the 54th minute, shooting over the bar from the edge of the area.
At only one goal Consett were within striking distance and the lead proved to be the narrowest of margins in the 56th minute when a free kick found the normally well marshaled Mattie Moffat and his header cannoned off the crossbar and was hooked away from danger.
However after this it was West Auckland who looked most likely to pinch the next goal. A flowing three man move between Dale Jardine, Lee Ellison and Bryan Stewart saw the later have his low shot across the keeper saved as the winger began to make several bursting runs down the right hand side causing Consett no end of troubles.
Stewart then did well to win the ball and when the ball came to Scott Nicholson his low shot was also held by Platten. In the 69th minute the new winger then surprised everyone by firing in a shot across goal after cutting back inside. The Consett keeper managed to smother the ball as Lee Ellison looked for the rebound as West looked to make the tie safe.
Consett had a couple of good crosses into the area that came to nothing as the visitors defence held firm and again it was West who had the next opportunity 6 minutes from time - Scott Nicholson unable to keep his header down.
As the game drew to a close Consett finally worked a good opportunity on the West goal with Steven Johnson cushioning the ball for Gary Ormston whose volley was held by Lee Hutton. In the end Lee Ellison also came close 2 minutes from time as West saw out the remaining time with ease, keeping hold of possession to thwart the hosts and complete a well earned victory.
1. Lee Hutton, 2. Michael Heckley, 3. Kevin Bromley, 4. Ian Maddison, 5. Jamie Middleton, 6. Scott Nicholson, 7. Bryan Stewart, 8. Danny Richmond, 9. Dale Jardine, 10. Thomas Louden (14. Lee Ellison 50 mins), 11. Stuart Owen (12. Brian Fairhurst 45 mins)
Subs Not Used: 15. Bradley Woods