Battling Draw Earns Replay

Date: Wednesday 3rd February 2010, by Tynesider

Barrow 1 Gateshead 1 - FA Trophy 3rd Round - Tuesday 2nd February 2010.

Towering inferno James Curtis crashed home a header from close range to earn the Tynesiders a deserved replay next Tuesday.

Barrow came out the blocks quickest and Gateshead's recent lack of confidence was all too evident again. It didn't take long for Farmans woodwork to be tested with the keeper beaten by a cross shot from the right.

Gateshead started to gain some confidence and move the ball about neatly, carving out an opening for for Graeme Armstrong as he went through one-on-one only for Barrow keeper Tim Deasy to smother at his feet much to his pain afterwards. James Sinclair (Playing on the left) then brought another stop out of Deasy with from a header.

Barrow then came back into the game strongly causing Gateshead's fullbacks numerous problems. Both Baxter and Robinson had nights to forget, playing far too many hit and hope panic long-balls under pressure from Barrows tricky wingers.

Gateshead were happy to get into the break without conceeding after a tough opening 45 minutes.

Half-time 0-0

A much improved Gateshead emerged for the second half putting Deasy under increased pressure from set-plays that left him flapping in the wind. Armstrong worked Deasy before he was put under further pressure from the returning Carl Jones and Mark Robinson.

Barrow then had a spell which resulted in a debatable penalty decision after a challenge on the edge of the area. To add insult the Ref then pointed to the spot and Bond (the subject of transfer speculation linking him to a move to the Championship) dispatched the penalty low into the left corner sending Farman the wrong way.

Brian Wake had come on for Graeme Armstrong and was starting to make some tricky penetrating runs in and around the Barrow area, at one point forcing Deasy into a near post save as the Gateshead corner toll mounted. James Curtis grabbed the equaliser with a crashing header from one of these corners, stealing in unmarked to a delivery from the right. The draw was the least the Tynesiders deserved on that second half performance.

Leaving the ground one of their fans was overheard to say "I'm not going over to that s-hole next Tuesday", let's hope their team arrives with the same mindset giving us a path into the Quarter Finals.

Farman; Baxter, Curtis, Jones, Robinson; McDermott (Turnbull), Williams, Gate, Sinclair (Richardson); Armstrong (Wake), Clare
Subs (Not Used): Provett, Swailes

FRIENDLY: A Gateshead XI was destined for Spennymoor's Brewery Field tonight, but due to the frost the match was called off this morning. New signings Ferrell, Winn and Heckingbottom were due for a run out alongside trialist Wayne Buchanan. Unless another friendly can be arranged at short notice, Bogie maybe forced into making a decision on Buchanan without seeing him in a match situation.

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Battling Draw Earns Replay