Virtual Vase final: Hebburn Town hold off spirited fightback from rivals Consett to lift the FA Vase in 3-2 thriller

Kevin Bolam’s side showed no signs of any nerves on the big occasion as they raced into a three-goal lead inside the opening 35 minutes thanks to an early Olly Martin striker and a brace from top goalscorer Graeme Armstrong.

The Steelmen got back into the game on the brink of half-time with a clinical header from Dale Pearson and the former Morpeth Town striker doubled his tally from the penalty spot just after the hour-mark.

Despite having to withstand some heavy pressure, the Hornets held on to claim a hard-earned win at a sun-baked Wembley Stadium.

Hebburn could not have asked for a better start in their maiden appearance at the home of football as Olly Martin continued his impressive first season with the club by firing them ahead inside seven minutes.

The young forward latched on to an Armstrong pass and kept his cool to slide the ball beyond Consett keeper Kyle Hayes and inside his near post.

Boosted by their early goal, the Hornets continued to pour forwards and doubled their lead midway through the half when Armstrong added a new high to his goal-laden season with a powerful finish from just inside the area.

And the impressive travelling support were almost in disbelief when Armstrong doubled his tally and added his side’s third goal on 34 minutes as he made the most of Michael Richardson’s neat pass by beating Hayes with a typically clinical finish.

Consett had shown little in the way of attacking intent so far but they gave themselves a chance of getting back into the game when Dale Pearson took full advantage of some slack defending by heading a Luke Carr corner-kick beyond Hornets keeper Mark Foden.

Whatever Steelmen manager Terry Mitchell said in the Wembley dressing room clearly had an impact as his side looked reinvigorated in the early stages of the second half.

Jack Donaghy was a late inclusion after a groin strain ruled out Danny Carson – but the Hornets youngster proved his worth when he bravely blocked a goal bound shot from Calvin Smith.

It was to be a temporary reprieve for Hebburn as Pearson boosted Consett’s chances of completing their comeback when he grabbed his second goal of the day from the penalty spot.

The Steelmen striker burst into the area and saw his cross striker strike the hand of Dan Groves – and Pearson wasted little time in dispatching the resultant spot-kick beyond Foden.

Consett were well on top against a shell-shocked Hebburn side and they were monopolising both possession and the chances as Nick Allen and hat-trick hunting Pearson both went close to getting their side back on level-terms.

But the best chance proved to be the final one of the game as Calvin Smith rose to meet a Carr corner-kick – but could only send his looping header narrowly wide of the near post.

The sense of relief was all too evident from those of a Hebburn persuasion, but their relief turned to jubilation just seconds later when referee Paul Tierney brought an end to proceedings and allowed the celebrations to get underway.

Player Ratings

Hebburn Town: Foden 6, Groves 6, Lough 7, Spence 7, Storey 6, Donaghy 8, Potter 7 (Taylor 6), McKeown 7 (Scott 7), Armstrong 8, Richardson 9, Martin 7 Subs not used: Carmichael, Dibb-Fuller, Sullivan Goalscorers: Martin 7, Armstrong 23 and 34

Consett: Hayes 5, Allen 7, Holden 7, Slocombe 8 (Russell 6), Purewal 6, Wilkinson 7, Metz 7 (Mackay 6), Smith 7, Pearson 8, Carr 7, Alshabeeb 7 Subs Not Used: Wilson, Jakab, Briggs Goalscorers: Pearson 41 and 62 (pen)