Consett ended Ryhope’s unbeaten start to 2019 with a 2-0 victory at Recreation Park.
The away team went in front through second half substitution Daniel Craggs as he was able to fire into an empty net following a scramblein the box.
Craggs also grabbed Consett’s second of the game as he got on the end of a cross to fire the ball into the roof of the net and over Ryhope keeper Jonny Ball.
The home team went into the game on the back of being unbeaten in their last five games.
Whereas the away team arrived at Recreation Park without a win in 5 games.
Manager Gary Pearson made 5 changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Hebburn last week, bringing top scorer James Ellis back into the team.
The team also saw the inclusion of new signing Jon Weirs who was brought in this week from league strugglers Seaham Red Star.
Both teams started well with chances at both ends of the field.
Consett had the first big chance of the game as Luke Carr’s freekick from the edge of the box struck the post.
The visitors continued to apply the pressure when on eighteen minutes Mackay stabbed the ball goalward, however defender Lewis King was able to clear off the line to keep the game goalless.
Thirty-five minutes into the game, forward Micky Rae was forced off following an injury as a result of a tackle.
As the first half progressed Ryhope went from strength to strength with goalkeeper Kyle Hayes being called into action when Matty Weirs unleashed a powerful effort towards the goal.
After some great build up play, the home team almost found an opener as forward James Ellis saw his effort saved by the Consett goalkeeper.
Ryhope continued to pressure the away team’s goal with Matty Weirs and Adam Cocks both seeing their headed efforts saved by Hayes.
Colliery Welfare started the second half how they had finished the first with substitute Joey Melvin almost lobbing the goalkeeper with what appeared to be a cross.
Consett started to get back into the game as Richard Juul’s effort from the edge of the box went wide.
On sixty-seven minutes substitute Michael Craggs grabbed an opener for Consett after the keeper went for a high ball but lost out leaving the forward with an easy job of slotting it into an empty net.
Both teams then enjoyed spells of pressure, first Craggs almost grabbed a second as his effort flashed across the face of the goal, then Ryhope almost equalized as Melvin almost squeezed the ball past Hayes in goal.
As the home side pursued an equaliser, the away team were able to grab their second, Craggs was on hand to grab his second of the game as a result of a Consett counter attack in which resulted in the forward firing the ball into the roof of the Ryhope net.
Despite being two down, Colliery Welfare continued to battle, with midfielder Chris Trewick hitting the crossbar with 5 minutes left to play.
Goalkeeper Kyle Hayes managed to pull off some great saves in the dying embers of the game to dampen Ryhope’s hopes of grabbing a goal back.
Both teams had chances throughout the game in a well-matched encounter, however it was the away side who were able to capitalise and come away with all three points.
Ryhope manager Gary Pearson after the game was encouraged by the performance levels from his players however he was disappointed about the result. Check out the full interview below.
Looking forward to Ryhope’s next game, against North Shields at home, Gary Pearson will be looking to bounce back against a North Shields side who have only lost one in their last seven games.
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Kyle Ritchie
