CARR’S IN POLE TO FIRE STEELMEN

TWO second-half goals from Arjun Purewal and Luke Carr ensured that Consett overcame Deal Town to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Vase for the first time in their history.

Steelmen boss Terry Mitchell said: “I’m absolutely delighted, it’s a fantastic result for the club, they’ve made history and it’s a thoroughly deserved win.

“This club has come a long way but to now get to the last eight for the lads in there and the staff around us is fantastic. I’ve believed we can win it from day one, you’ve got to believe, I’ve said that every single round but there’s going to be eight very good teams in the next round.”

It was the visitors who had the best of the early exchanges with Ben Chapmen firing just wide as he stretched to get on the end of a Steve O’Brien cross.

They were knocking on the door again just after when Charlie Walsh’s rasping volley drew a scrambling save from Kyle Hayes.

Carr was a bright spark for Consett though and some determined battling on the edge of the box allowed him to get his shot away, which went just over.

Carr had another chance soon after but his powerful effort was just too high.

The hosts carried on where they left off in the second half, Jake Orrell testing the keeper’s hands with a drilled, low effort.

Consett finally made the breakthrough when Carr was alive in the box to turn in Ali Alshabeeb’s cross.

They then put the result beyond doubt when Purewal met Orrell’s corner and headed past the stranded James Tonkin.

Dale Pearson thought he had given Consett a third when he slotted home only to be denied by the flag.

Despite the result, Deal boss Derek Hayes was pleased with his side’s display: “In the first half particularly we had to do a lot of defending but it’s what we were expecting.

“The first goal was always going to be crucial, they got it and in the end, they deserved the win”