Steels 3-2 Consett

Stocksbridge Park Steels rallied to get a dramatic winner after initially being pegged back from being 2-0 up by Consett.

It almost went wrong in the first few minutes for Stocksbridge. Benjamin Ramsey beat his man before putting a ball across the six-yard area. Alex Phillipson, making his first start and home debut, almost turned it into his own net, but a sprawling Ben Townsend made sure to spare the new defender his blushes.

While Consett had the upper hand for the first 10-15 minutes, Stocksbridge not only grew into the game but took control of it afterwards. This would be rewarded. Kurtis Turner’s corner was initially cleared, but the ball would be recycled and fall to Charlie Reaney on the edge of the box. He hit a clean strike that took a deflection, allowing it to hit the back of the net and beat James Anderson in the goal.

Stocksbridge looked to extend their lead before the end of the half, with Turner coming close after blasting over a shot from close range. Consett showed their danger though at the other end, almost getting an equaliser through an own goal with another drilled cross into the six-yard area. Townsend though did enough to prevent it trickling over the line.

The second half started like the first, with Consett initially having the upper hand before Stocksbridge were able to turn momentum in their favour. And that momentum eventually turned into a corner, which turned into a goal. Turner’s corner came in and it bounced off a Consett defender into the six-yard area. Tommy Marshall turned goal poacher to tap in from close range and double Stocksbridge’s lead.

All seemed to be going well for Stocksbridge and they continued to look like the next goal scorers. But games can turn very suddenly, as the Steels would soon find out. Consett had a corner and as the ball made it’s way into the box, the referee pointed to the sport, seemingly for a push from Ross Goodwin. Jake Orrell stepped up and beat Townsend to give Consett a way back into the match.

And Consett would make sure to take advantage of this unlikely way to get back into the game. Minutes later, they turned a hopeful ball forward into possession and whipped a low and dangerous ball into the box. Daniel Capewell was there in the middle to tap it in and secure what was a completely unexpected comeback.

To Stocksbridge’s credit, they rallied and got back on the attack to get back in the lead. And the rally would succeed. Not long after Jack Dolman had a goal denied by a header on the line, he was back again to this time hit the back of the net. The Steels broke as Consett pushed for their own winner, and Luke Rawson timed his pass to Dolman, who finished well to send Bracken Moor into delirium and a massive three points/