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Hayes & Yeading Utd 3 Gateshead 2
Date: Sunday 14th February 2010, by Tynesider
Once again lady luck deserted Gateshead in a match where three points were there for the taking. Even before a ball was kicked Gateshead had to do without the inspirational Kris Gate in the centre of midfield, leaving Andy Ferrell alone to shoulder the burden.
A dour opening saw an under par Gateshead failing to put anything of note together in complete contrast to last Saturday at Mansfield. The energy of the Gate and Ferrell partnership was massively lacking, and it was Hayes who took the lead on the half hour as Cochraine picked up the ball on the rightside and hit a looping cross. The cross sailed over the backpeddling Farman into the far corner. It was another of those shake your head moments that Heed fans have witnessed regualrly this campaign.
Things did get better before they got worse as Gateshead were back on level terms on 39 minutes when Brian Wake ran through with only the keeper to beat, delaying pulling the trigger the Hayes defender came into the side of him fouling him as the ball ran through to the keeper. The referee rightly pointed to the spot, but mystifyingly didn't send the defender off who was clearly the last man. Daryl Clare stepped up to score the resultant penalty and draw the Tynesiders level.
Suddenly the momentum swung in Gateshead's favour as numerous attacks threatened the Hayes goal. Gateshead grabbed the lead when a surging right wing run from James Sinclair was brought to an ubrupt halt resulting in a free-kick. Peter Winn delivered a perfect ball with his left foot that looked to have evaded everyone as it nestled in the bottom far corner. Both strikers wheeled away in celebration with the goal being credited to the head of Clare, if Clare did get a touch then it must've been his quiff.
HT 1-2
Going in at half-time there was that nagging feeling of doubt over whether we could see the result out, especially in light of the referee not sending their defender off.
Gateshead had a good chance to put the game out of sight as they turned the screw early in the 2nd half. James Curtis headed over from a set piece, then lady luck deserted us again. Curtis made a clearance inside our box only for it to be blocked and fly straight in the top corner giving Farman no chance.
Hayes then started to threaten more, but Peter Winn had a great chance at the back post to put us ahead. Ferrell raced through down the right and squared the ball towards Winn only for the defender to brilliantly make a last ditch saving tackle as an open goal gaped. Typiclally the referee and linesman both gave a throw to Hayes.
The game swung in Hayes favour with a barmy double tactical substitution, which essentially meant we were looking to hang on. McDermott and Armstrong both came on for Sinclair and Clare and from that moment we stopped trying to play any football and just began launching it. This played straight into the Hayes centre backs hands (well heads), as they easily won every highball.
The game was then lost on 77 minutes as Darren Williams made a lunge on their forward giving away a penalty. Up stepped on-loan Luton striker Basham to win the match, blasting the ball down the middle. Game over!
Gateshead, shotgun and foot - Number 253 this season. Plus points from the day (well and truely feels like scraping the barrel), were that both Wayne Buchanan and Paul Heckingbottom had solid enough debuts at the back.
Gateshead: Farman; Williams, Curtis, Buchanan, Heckingbottom; Sinclair (McDermott), Ferrell, Turnbull, Winn; Clare (Armstrong), Wake.
Subs (Not Used): Provett, Bains, Francis.
Three on the list
The official GFC site reports that Carl Jones, Chris Swailes and Paul Robinson have all been put on the transfer list. All three are available on free transfers or loan deal.