Mansfield Town 0 Gateshead 2

Date: Sunday 7th February 2010, by Tynesider

Gateshead left Field Mill with a deserved 2-0 victory and should've had more. Right from the first whistle the men in white shirts were snapping around the Mansfield players heels winning the ball back and moving it with precision and purpose.

A packed Field Mill witnessed the Tynesiders run out 2-0 winners.

Debutant Andy Ferrell took the game to Mansfield within twenty seconds by leaving a mark on their midfield, in a manner reminiscent of Vinnie Jones clattering Steve McMahon for Wimbledon in the '88 Cup Final.

Gateshead threatened first through a free-kick after a foul on Graeme Armstrong, the ball was delivered for the excellent Carl Jones to head just wide of the post. However, the travelling Heed Army didn't have long to wait, as Brian Wake picked up the ball and drove across the pitch unleashing a thunderbolt shot from outside the area that flew into the bottom left corner to send our fans nuts.

Mansfield came back into the game, with a few surging runs in and around our box, but James Curtis and Carl Jones were towers at the back winning most balls and pretty much everything in the air.

Peter Winn had a great chance to double Gateshead's advantage, a ball delivered to the back post saw him stretching but failing to put away the chance. Graeme Armstrong also made Marriott work in the Stag's goal with a smart save.

Half-time 0-1

Mansfield had their moments in the first-half, but Gateshead looked dangerous and whilst Dean Holdsworth's unknown brother may've given them a bollocking, it always felt like we'd get a goal in the second half.

We didn't have to wait long for that goal as Brian Wake picked up the ball on the left wing and drove infield towards the corner of the box, with two Mansfield players for company it looked like the chance had been crowded out, but quickly shifting the ball to his right and unleashing a thunderbolt low and hard across the ailing Marriott it was suddenly 2-0 leaving the majority of Field Mill shell shocked.

Mansfield then had a period of pressure on the Gateshead goal with a succession of corners and long throws which were all brilliantly dealt with by our back five under massive pressure.

Jon Shaw came on for the last 10 minutes, and at that point I'm sure had most Gateshead fans thinking uh-oh, old player coming back to haunt. Thankfully for once it didn't work out that way as Paul Farman made some crucial stops at the death, including a miraculous one-handed save to keep a clean sheet.

A fantastic and deserved win for the Tynesiders who were a breath of fresh air today. Andy Ferrell and Kris Gate formed a cracking partnership in the middle, snapping about the Mansfield players, winning the ball and playing it with confidence. Ferrell's leadership qualities were there to see, shouting his head off at anyone who made a mistake, ensuring they won't do it a second time (something we've lacked). Winn played brilliantly on the left, a constant threat and James 'Clive' Sinclair got his C5 up and down the right wing in a much improved performance. Every player had an excellent game, but a special mention must go to Wake, Curtis, Jones and Farman. These four were truely inspirational.

Gateshead: Farman; Williams, Curtis, Jones, Robinson; Sinclair (McDermott), Gate, Ferrell, Winn; Armstrong (Francis), Wake
Subs (Not Used): Provett, Baxter, Bains

Dean Holdsworth's less famous brother took pleasure in winding up the Gateshead fans earlier in the season as they won at ours. After the third goal, he spent 20 seconds repeatedly pumping his fist in celebration towards us. So today's win is sweet revenge on him, we hope you enjoyed it too Mr. _____ Holdsworth.

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Mansfield Town 0 Gateshead 2