Never mind quality, win all Heed need
GATESHEAD 2 CHELMSFORD 0
GATESHEAD are through to the second round of the FA Cup for only the fourth time in four decades after they saw off Chelmsford City.
Two quality strikes inside four minutes around the half-hour mark booked the Tynesiders’ place in tomorrow night’s second-round draw.
Goals from strike pair Jordan Burrow, his fourth in four games under new manager Steve Watson, and Danny Johnson, saw the Heed home.
That took the prize money from this season’s FA Cup up to £30,500, Watson delighted with the result – but not the performance.
“I’m delighted we’re through to the second round for the chairman, players and fans, but we made it so hard for ourselves,” said the former Newcastle star.
“We didn’t retain possession at all and looked to be hanging on. I certainly didn’t want the players going home thinking we had played brilliantly.
“We can do a lot better, and did against Dover and Leyton Orient, but cup football is all about getting into the next round, and we’ve done that.
“The two goals we scored were good and its three clean sheets in a row, so there were positives, but also plenty to improve on.
“We didn’t dictate play like I wanted us to, but we dug in and got the job done. We’ll now see what the second round brings, and it’s great to be in it.”
The difference between the two sides on the day was the finishing, National League South high-flyers Chelmsford certainly no push-overs.
Watson made four changes, Neill Byrne’s timely challenge inside the box denying Matty Johnson from giving the Clarets an early advantage.
Burrow hooked past the angle at the other end before a short corner routine almost gave Gateshead the lead midway through the half.
Russell Penn’s angled drive was parried into the path of Heed captain Byrne, who could only lift the rebound over the bar.
The opening half hour had been evenly fought but two quick-fire goals ultimately proved to be pivotal.
The recalled Wes York’s measured cross saw Burrow get in front of his marker to bury a header into the bottom corner.
The Essex outfit were then caught napping by a clever freekick initiated by Luke Hannant after the midfielder had drawn a foul.
Penn squared the ball to Johnson, also recalled, and the Tees- sider whipped an angled shot into the net off the far post.
Hapless Chelmsford front man Chris Dickson missed gilt-edged chances either side of half-time that would have put the Essex outfit back in the tie.
Two up, Gateshead didn’t know whether to stick or twist, Fraser Kerr sliding over the bar from Paddy McLaughlin’s low corner.
It proved to be a rare threat, Chelmsford continuing to create – and miss – chances, defender Michael Spillane inches wide of the far post on the turn.
The Heed didn’t threaten to add to their score until the latter stages as Chelmsford pushed men forward, Johnson putting a good chance past the post.
Danny Green’s 30-yard freekick was fumbled past the post by James Montgomery at the death as the Clarets’ cup hopes withered on the vine.
A spirited Heed Army taunted Chelmsford for refusing to allow the usual multi-ball system to be used at the International Stadium – all eyes now on tomorrow’s draw. GATESHEAD: Montgomery; Williams (Vassell 63), BYRNE, Kerr, Barrow; York (Preston 61), McLaughlin, Penn, Hannant, Johnson (Maxwell 74), Burrow Subs: (not used) Hanford (gk), O’Donnell, Peniket,Tinkler Chelmsford City: Beasant, Omozusi, Spillane, Smith; Green, Braham-Barrett, Porter, Stevenson (West 46), JOHNSON, Dickson (Batt 55), Barnard (Hitchcock 65) Subs: (not used) Jessup (gk), Miller, Daley, Haines Referee: Peter Gibbons (The Wirral) Attendance: 732