GATESHEAD 2 EASTLEIGH 0 Travel-weary Heed find joy on home turf
GATESHEAD provided the perfect pick-me-up after a difficult week on and off the pitch with a first win in nine games.
With the club put up for sale on Monday, Steve Watson’s men then had to negotiate four games in eight days – the first three away from Tyneside.
A leg-and-travel-weary Heed were down to 16 fit players for the visit of Eastleigh and were grateful for home comforts.
Despite facing an uncertain future, the players’ commitment to the cause has never wavered, yesterday another example of the side’s resilience.
Top scorer Danny Johnson broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, strike partner Jordan Burrow doubling the lead early after the break.
The Tynesiders could have had more goals in an open and entertaining game, while Eastleigh must wonder how they didn’t get on the score sheet.
With two experienced centrebacks, Neill Byrne and Jamal Fyfield, out with ankle injuries, Watson had to make changes in defence.
Rookie Jon Mellish excelled in the middle of the back four and belied his tender years with an assured performance.
Those around him also put in a shift, while Paddy McLaughlin and Russell Penn used all their guile in the middle of the park.
After draws at Halifax and Bromley and a defeat at secondtop Tranmere in their first three games of the week, this was a fitting victory.
It was one that delighted Watson, who said: “It has been a very tough week and everyone who was fit either started or was on the bench. Overall it could have been a lot more comfortable. Preston hit the post and had a great chance and we got through three or four times.
“We didn’t finish those chances off but the win was all important as well as not getting any more injuries.
“Everyone did great, but Mellish in particular had a very good game, especially for a young player.”
Johnson had the chance to give Gateshead an early lead when Spitfires keeper Ross Flitney had a rush of blood, but sliced wide.
Mark Yeates then had a great chance at the other end only to be denied by James Montgomery’s legs, Heed claims for a penalty then turned down.
Flitney beat away Johnson’s 25-yard strike before a great run from Penn into the box almost produced the opener.
Penn’s lofted pull back from the byline saw Flitney save Johnson’s close-range header, Jordan Preston putting the rebound over the bar from six-yards.
Eastleigh were next to be profligate in front of goal when Ryan Broom’s knock down saw Ben Williamson shoot straight at Montgomery.
When the goal came, it was a route-one affair, Jordan Burrow chesting the ball into the past of Johnson who drilled past Flitney.
The Heed doubled their lead when Burrow bundled home Theo Vasell’s cross, a minute after Preston had crashed a shot against the post.
Yeates twice went close. Johnson twice threatened, while Burrow put an injury-time rebound over the bar.