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Darlington 2 Gateshead 0

Date: Sunday 29th August 2010

Darlington took all three points in the first North-East derby between the two clubs for 50 years. Sloppy goals from a Gateshead point of view scored by ex-Heed trialist Paul Terry on the stroke of half-time and Joe Clarke 10 minutes into the second half were enough to kill any resistance from the Tynesiders.

Switching to 4-4-2 for the first time this season saw Nathan Fisher start up front alongside Gary Mulligan as Ian Bogie went on the offensive. Gateshead made a bright start having the majority of the possession, and looking like the only side wanting to play football. Unfortunately it was a similar tale of no end product in the final third of the pitch as Darlington got into the game through strong arm tactics. Set pieces/high balls into the Gateshead box caused havoc with our backline all day.

The first-half saw Nathan Fisher and James Marwood make darting runs at the Quakers defence causing them trouble with their pace, but unfortunately a combination of no end product and being crowed out by a well drilled big outfit saw them come to nothing. Craig Baxter came the nearest with a drive from outside the area that the excellent Sam Russell saved with ease. The former Gateshead goalkeeper gobbled up every high ball and always looked in command of his penalty box.

A first half slightly edged by Gateshead came to a conclusion with a sucker punch goal from Paul Terry. Terry captaining the Quakers came in for some stick from the away fans, but produced the goods in the centre of midfield and had Darlo ahead after a scramble in our area from an Arnison cross was pulled back for him to rifle home.

Brian Wake came on for the injured Gary Mulligan at half-time and Gateshead pressed looking for an equaliser, however the contest was effectively over 10 minutes in, as Deasy was beaten by Joe Clark at his near post from an angle after another Arnison delivery.

After that Gateshead huffed and puffed, a possibly penalty was waved away after Nathan Fisher was taken out on the touchline. From there Mark 'Sam Allardyce' Cooper had his troops well drilled and they easily soaked up our powder puff attack.

Gateshead (4-4-2): 1. Deasy; 2. Baxter, 6. Clark, 15. Jones, 3. Heckingbottom; 7. Brittain (12. Ferrell), 4. Gate, 8. Turnbull, 21. Marwood; 18. Fisher (11. Nelthorpe), 19. Mulligan (17. Wake). Subs (not used): 20. Cook, 23. Brown.

415 Heed fans made the short trip down to Darlington, and left frustrated to say the least. Ian Bogie will have to think long and hard about tactics and utilising his personnel to get points on the board. Games such as this are there for the taking, it's no good having played passages of pretty football if you get nothing from them. One thing's apparent, the team badly lacks a spark/special player in the final third to lift the side.