Droylsden took Gateshead all the way to Extra Time in the first round of the Setanta Cup on Monday evening.
The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes with one man steeling the limelight for Gateshead, debutant Jack Norton made a string of impressive saves to keep the Tynesiders .
Norton who replaced Paul Musselwhite in goal was in fine form, commanding his area well and plucking every cross out of the air with ease. A notable incident during the first half was a magnificent double save by Norton which brought applause from all four corners of the ground.
Alex Francis also made his full debut for the Heed and played the whole, he was solid through out.
Droylsden took the lead with a fantastic finish from a Droysldon midfielder, with an well placed shot into the top corner, Norton planted to the spot, but in fairness no goal keeper in the world would have got anywhere near the shot.
Gateshead equalizer came from Jamie Harwood after he jumped like a kangaroo to head home John Brackstone’s inch perfect free kick.
Graeme Armstrong had a fantastic chance to rap up the win inside 90 minutes when he was one on one with Bloods keeper Craig Mawson, but he got the ball caught under his feet and the Droylsden defenders caught him up and cleared the ball.
Davis Southern, Phil Turnbull and Kris Gate came on as second half substitutes and improved options for the Gateshead going forward.
Extra Time was need and both side pushed for a winner during the next 30 minutes, but in the 29th minute of extra time Davie Southern pounced on a bad pass to send Stephen Turnbull away down the left wing, Turnbull then crossed a viscous cross to the far post to find Graeme Armstrong who scored from a tight angle, Armstrong then celebrated his late winner with the travelling Heed Army.
Line up and ratings:
Norton 10
Without a doubt he kept the heed in the match
Man of the Match
Baxter 7
Had a good game, but didn’t get many of his trademark crosses into the box
Brackstone 8 (Captain)
Made the first goal with a great free kick
Hocking 7
Strong all game
Jones 8
If this lad was a piece of jewellery he would be a DIAMOND!!!!
Francis 8
Solid performance from the youngster, will be in line to start again soon
Harwood 7
In and out of the game, but still showed flashes of his A game
Phillips 7
Played well down the left, maybe unlucky to be subbed
S. Turnbull 8
Played his best game yet since, delivered the ball to help win the match
Armstrong 9
Grabbed the winner in style and shared his happiness with the fans, but should have filled his boots a few time during the match
Rae 7
In the mix more than blender, but need to hit the ball with some conviction in front of goal
Subs:
Southern 7
Quiet until extra time, helped in the build up for the winner when it mattered
P. Turnbull 7
Gave the ref hell as much as he gave the his Droylsden counterparts
Gate 8
Battled in the middle and help when going forward
Musselwhite (Not used)
Noble (Not used)
