Points dropped for Stags at Kendal
WEST LANCS LEAGUE DIVISION TWO KENDAL UTD .............. 0 ROSSENDALE.............. 0 EMIRATES FA CUP 2ND QUALIFYING RND GATESHEAD .................... 6 RAMSBOTTOM UTD ....... 0 JON HASLAM A M S B O T TOM United were on the road for the fourth consecutive Saturday as they headed to the North East to take on Conference North outfit Gateshead in the first ever competitive meeting between
R●● the two sides in this FA Cup second round qualifying tie.
The Rams lined up with just one alteration from the side which drew at Ossett seven days earlier with Josh Hmami replacing Khalil Osi - Efa in midfield against a strong looking home side who had suffered a galling injury time loss at Hereford in midweek.
The opening moments of the contest began with the visitors starting brightly with Iyrwah Gooden forcing home keeper Bradley James into the first action of the afternoon but no visiting player could capitalise after a low cross was spilled six yards from goal.
Gateshead, with former Premier League defender Mike Williamson in central defence, responded shortly afterwards when Teddy Perkins was drawn into making a foul on Kayode just outside the penalty area but the free kick by set piece specialist Nicky Deverdics was comfortably gathered by Tom Stewart in the visitors’ goal.
As the opening period continued in a fairly even manner, the home outfit perhaps had the better of the possession without seriously threatening Stewart any further, although the visitors from Lancashire served notice of their attacking intent as they fashioned their first effort on goal just after the twenty minute mark when a cross from the right wasn’t cleared effectively and the loose ball fell to Nic Evangelinos, but the well struck effort from inside the area was gathered by Middlesbrough loanee James.
As the stadium clock ticked towards the twenty five minute mark and the game goalless the Rams had every right to be pleased with their performance as they had more than matched the hosts who incidentally had claimed three consecutive home league victories prior to this match but the Tynesiders forward line were in the main kept under wraps as the visitors frustrated the home support alongside playing some neat counter attacking football of their own.
With a third of the game played Gateshead began to click into gear becoming more of an attacking threat and the opener soon arrived when a pinpoint cross field ball from Nicky Deverdics found Jordan Preston at the far post before the forwards deft first time ball along the six yard box found the unmarked Greg Olley who converted from close range for the former Hull City man’s first goal of the season.
With the hosts in the lead and confidence levels on the rise, Gateshead looked to press home the advantage of being two leagues higher in the non league pyramid with Dominic Tear and Josh Kayode looking significant menaces to the Rams.
Then with five minutes to the interval the Rams were made to pay for a defensive lapse when an ill advised back pass towards keeper Stewart from Kelvin Lugsden was intercepted by Rotherham loanee Josh Kayode and as the Rams stopper attempted to clear the ball the Heed forward was upended and referee Dale Baines had little choice but to point to the penalty spot.
Despite a promising half hour for the Rams the hosts doubled their advantage when Jordan Preston who was plying his trade for Halifax last season in the National League converted confidently from the spot to give the visitors an uphill task as the home forward also notched his first goal this term.
Despite the deficit a linesman’s flag denied the away side a quick riposte as a Tom Kennedy corner bounced around the home area before a Mason Fawn’s header found its way into the corner of the net but the goal was sadly ruled out for offside.
With the half time whistle bringing the first half to a close manager, Chris Willcocks superb run of just one defeat in the last fifteen cup matches since taking charge of the Rams last October, appeared to be in danger.
The feeling going into the break was not only the timing of the second goal may prove pivotal but the manner in which the penalty was conceded was disappointing after a promising opening half hour for the Rams.
With both sides returning unchanged after the break the second half began with the National North side looking to put the tie beyond doubt whilst the Rams still had hopes that an early goal ●● Rams go close as the ball is tipped over the crossbar by the Gateshead goalkeeper could shift the balance of play their way but the opening minutes had little in the way of goalmouth action for either side.
As the game began to unfold chances began to increase for Gateshead