Nailers Victorious Over Consett With Cadman Super Strike

James Cadman won an exciting game with a stunning 30-yard strike that is a goal of the season contender, but more importantly ended the visitor’s impressive unbeaten away record and gave the Nailers a much-needed home success.

Curtis Burrows was back from suspension and Rev James was also included after missing out last week, while Keiran Walker was drafted in from Long Eaton on a dual registration as cover for Phil Watt.

The highest scorers in the league came up against one of the meanest defences and for much of the first half there was little to suggest that there would be many goals in the game.

Both teams effectively cancelled each other out, but there was an early scare for Belper after only 7 minutes when a quickly taken free kick let in Zak Atkinson and the Nailers were slightly fortunate to get the ball away.

It was a strong start from Belper and was welcome particularly as there had been criticism that the Nailers had started poorly in some home games.

Kevin Bastos appeared to be tripped has he attempted to run clear on 13 minutes, but the referee wasn’t interested, however Belper were looking sharp in these early stages.

Bastos looked clear again when the ball came to him on the shoulder of the Consett defence, but he pushed the ball too far ahead and gave the ‘keeper the opportunity to get to it first.

The Steelmen had their first direct shot when Wil Shaw struck a crisp effort straight at Jonathan Hedge, then Declan Dunn let fly from 20 yards, but the ball was always rising.

A better opportunity arrived for the Nailers on 37 minutes when Danny South nodded on a corner kick and Cameron Johnson sliced his shot wide although the angle was particularly tight.

Bastos attempted a glancing header that went wide of the goal just before half time, however the visitors came out for the second half in more determined mood.

Belper had to work harder to keep the Steelmen at bay and on 61 minutes they were rewarded for their positive start to the second half when Wil Shaw fired in a 15 yarder after he was allowed to sneak through unmarked.

It was now that the Nailers needed to show character and determination of their own, and they showed both in abundance in the remaining half hour of the game.

A Walker long throw bounced awkwardly in the six-yard area taking James Anderson unawares, however he was able to claw the ball away to safety.

With the tempo ever increasing and the Steelmen falling further back, up steps top scorer Kevin Bastos to equalise with a subtle glancing header into the near corner leaving Anderson motionless.

On 77 minutes the crowd were in raptures when substitute James Cadman unleashed a wonder shot from 30 yards out that curled high into the top corner of the net, with the ‘keeper once again unable to intervene.

The Nailers kept pushing forward and would surely have scored more if the final pass had been of better quality, but even though Consett tried to up the ante, the Nailers didn’t look like relinquishing their hard-won lead.

A third goal should have wrapped things up nicely after Johnson robbed a Steelmen defender, but he hesitated in slipping the ball through to the better placed Bastos and the angle became too acute.

This was just the performance that the Nailers needed in front of their own supporters, and they go into a two-week break brimming with confidence and knowing they can compete with the best this division has to offer.

Belper Town: Hedge, Rhodes, Warren, Dunn, South, Walker, James, Burrows, Troke (Cadman 70), Johnson, Bastos. Unused subs: Martin, Bessadi, Mackie, Gregory.

Consett AFC: Anderson, Baggs, Purewal, Young, Milburn, Capewell, Gibbons, Smith (Mitchell 80), Atkinson, Shaw, Greenwood. Unused subs: McKinnon, Spoor, Fenwick.

Referee: Daniel McDonald

Att: 414