Harrogate Town took the spoils on Bank Holiday at The Gateshead International Stadium.
The Tynesiders started the game in great form, with the ball staying on grass and being passed about like a new born baby, very slick.
Gateshead took the lead through a corner, Craig Nelthorpe made his first impression in the game with a great deep corner to find Carl Jones in acres of space to plant a header into the top left corner.
After the goal the Heed carried on with the ball being passed about with ease, and on the attack.
Then the turning point of the match happened. Nelthorpe broke away down the left wing in acres of space, Harrogate's Matty Young was was in trouble trailing in his wake so he decided to resort to grabbing Craig’s shirt, Craig was twisting and turning to get away from his marker and his flailing elbow swung in the direction of the defenders chest. The ref, just 10 yards away judged Nelthorpe to have elbowed young in the face, the defender allegedly admitted after the game no contact with the elbow had taken place. Down Young went like a sack of spuds writhing round in agony to ensure the ref would show Nelthorpe the red card, he obliged and Nelly was gone. On this the game changed in favour of Harrogate Town and was always going to be an uphill struggle.
Harrogate drew level with a shot from outside the box, the ball took a big defection on route to goal and ended up trickling over the line (or did it?), Musselwhite did grab the ball, but it was judged to have rolled over the line and the goal was awarded.
After the break Gateshead tried to take the game to Harrogate but being a man down left big gaps for Town to take advantage of on the attack.
The closet Gateshead came to retaking the lead was when Graeme Armstrong tried his luck from 40 yards, he belted a ball towards goal, it hit a Harrogate’s defenders head 20 yards from goal and the keeper had to tip it over the cross bar.
Alas, Harrogate’s extra man was too much for the Heed, and the pressure led to Town taking the lead on 79 minutes when our defence was caught napping. Late on 90 minutes, when Gateshead were dead on there feet smith wrapped up the win.
A hard fought game, not made any easier when the referee was having a stinker.
Line up and ratings:
Musselwhite 7
Did well considering
Baxter 7
Defending was his best trade on this day
Phillips 7
Ran his heart out, made some important tackles
Curtis 8
Did more work than he has all season, true battler
Jones 8
The same as Curtis
S. Turnbull 7
Was all over the middle of the park covering for the missing Nelthorpe
P. Turnbull 8 (Captain)
Gave his all
Nelthorpe 5
School boy error, don’t raise you arms towards another player, or you give the ref a decision to make
Gate 8
Made some great runs forward on the attack after going a man down
Man of the Mtach
Southern 6
Static at times, showed a glimpse of last years form
Armstrong 8
Battled well up front, basically by himself but managed to get a few shots as away.
Subs:
Salvin 7
Brought on the try and help steady the sinking ship
Francis 6
Game was over by the time he got to kick a ball
Hocking (not used)
Norton (not used)
Rae 7
Made a good run through the Harrogate defence twice, unlucky not to get goal side
Attendance: 509 - Good crowd, fingers crossed the ref hasn't put them off coming back.
