Bonny Blues Frustrated By Steelmen - Penrith vs. Consett

Main stand at Frenchfields

For the second game of my north west trip I caught the bus from Workington to Penrith (via a stop off in Keswick) for my first ever game in The Northern League. I've planned to visit the north east for another Northern League trip with my Dad so this was pretty much the only ground I could do without him. Penrith hadn't played a league game for nearly two weeks as they had consecutive cup ties in The League Cup and then The Cumberland Cup during which they scored ten goals. Both sides were in and around mid table at the start of the game and Consett have the much better record in matches between the two sides having won 11 of the 20 meetings. You have to go back to the 2013-14 season for the last Penrith victory.

Kick off at Frenchfield Park

Consett start on the front foot and an early shot from the edge of the area is sent over the bar into the surrounding darkness. Penrith are then able to get into a couple of decent positions themselves but the end results is the same. The first real chance of the game comes when the Consett attacker is found at the back post and it takes a great block from the Penrith defender to prevent the shot on target. Consett continue to push on and the take the as a long ball forward is flicked on and the forward lashes the ball past the Penrith keeper. This sparks Penrith in to life and they have a couple of great attacks straight after the Consett goal. Firstly, the winger finds space and his great cross into the area eludes everyone. Then the Penrith forward forces the Consett keeper into a great save with a shot from the edge of the area before the rebound is put onto the post. From the resulting corner Penrith have an effort headed off the line as the Consett defence defend their lead. The last chance of the half also falls to Penrith as following a free kick there is a shot on goal and Penrith are denied by the defender on the line once again. 

I'm pretty sure this is Penrith hitting the post

Penrith have the first chance of the second half when a long ball from the keeper is brought under control by the attacker but he puts his shot over the bar. Their next chance comes when the forward is allowed is turn and shoot but his shot goes straight into the arms of the goalie. Penrith are played in again but again the attacker doesn't connect properly with the strike and his shot is claimed by the keeper. A long Consett ball forward causes some panic in the Penrith defence and the eventual shot goes over the bar. There are a couple more half chances but Consett hold on for the win.

Committed Consett defending in the second half

So as I mentioned at the start my journey from Workington to Penrith was on bus via Keswick which included some fantastic views of The Lake District. If travelling from London, you can catch a train from Euston and in three hours you'll be in Penrith. If you want to stay overnight, then The Station Inn around the corner from the station is perfect as well as again having one of the better bars in the town. The best non-hotel pub I went to in the town centre was The General Wolfe. Then just a short walk from the ground is The Cross Keys which was a decent country pub. The walk from the town to the ground takes just under half an hour. The clubhouse at the back stand had a good selection of drinks and offers views of the pitch if it's too cold outside. For a new build ground I really liked Frenchfield as well as my trip to the north west in general. 

More covered accommodation opposite the main stand