COYLE SO PROUD OF STEELMEN

CONSETT took the spoils in a highly-charged encounter thanks to goals either side of half time by Scott Heslop and Daniel Marriott.

Histon’s Luke Lindsay pulled a goal back to set up a frantic last 15 minutes.

But the Northern League visitors held out to win promotion to Step 4 for the first time in their history.

A vocal band of travelling supporters made the 220-mile trip to South Cambridgeshire to see their side make a bright start to the game.

Dale Pearson, Heslop and James Martin all got shots off on goal before the Histon’s defence got to grips with the job in hand.

NPL Midlands outfit Histon’s best chance of the half fell to Finley Wilkinson but his headed effort lacked power.

Histon keeper Sam Roach made two diving saves on the half-hour.

But Heslop gave Consett the lead a minute before the break, the lively striker timing his run to perfection to latch onto a ball over the top and firing low past the advancing Roach.

They doubled their advantage seven minutes after the interval when Pearson’s pass found Marriott with time and space to fire home from 15 yards.

Histon pulled one back on 73 minutes when sub Lindsay powered home a loose ball from a long Max York throw.

Ed Rolph then had a shot cleared off the line and Consett keeper Kyle Hayes was the hero in the final minute, blocking another Lindsay effort with his legs.

After the final whistle, Consett manager Andy Coyles had only praise for his side’s attitude.

He told The NLP: “We knew Histon were a physical and direct outfit and that we were in for a battle.

“But the lads’ organisation, commitment and game management was second to none.”

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