Durham City 4 Consett 2
DURHAM City produced some of the finest football seen in the Albany Northern League for many years when they established a commanding 4-0 lead in the first 17 minutes of their first division clash with Consett at the Archibalds Stadium on Saturday.
City went ahead after only three minutes when Consett goalkeeper Kelly could only parry a drive from Halliday and Dunwell followed up to score.
After nine minutes Paul Rowntree, a new signing from Billingham Town, cleverly lost his marker to score with an excellent header from a Douglas free kick.
City continued to dominate and it was no surprise when they increased their lead after some superb flowing football ended when Dawson cossed for Douglas to score.
Then after 17 minutes Halliday who, like his colleagues was producing an exciting brand of attacking soccer, scored Durham's fourth goal from a right wing cross.
Shortly afterwards and with Saturday's FA Vase game in mind, City boss Cruddas took off Dunwell, who had a slight knock.
By now City had lost some of their momentum, which was only to be expected as it would have been unrealistic to expect any side to maintain the outstanding football that had been produced in the opening hour.
Indeed, a Consett player described City's football as awesome and the best he had seen for years.
On 39 minutes Consett pulled a goal back through Grimes. At half-time and with the game won, City's influential Halliday was substituted.
Shortly after the restart Consett scored a second goal through a McLeod shot that took a deflection.
To Consett's credit they gave a much improved performance in the second-half and City goalkeeper Paul Newton was called on to make some useful saves.
In the end City ran out 4-2 winners, a success richly deserved for their superb early football.
On Saturday, Durham City are away to Ossett Albion in the FA Vase, and next Friday they are at home to Esh Winning in the Albany Northern League, ko 7.30pm.
By moving to Durham, new player Rowntree ended a ten-year spell with the Teessiders
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