Heed scrap to Shaymen stalemate

IT WAS perhaps entirely predictable that two sides with the best defensive records in the Vanarama National League should play out a goalless draw on Tyneside.

A drab affair in front of the first four-figure crowd of the season at the International Stadium saw Gateshead make it four clean sheets from four at home.

Visitors FC Halifax Town have yet to concede an away goal, and between them the two sides have leaked just seven goals in 14 games.

The match was a disappointing spectacle, particularly in a second half that produced little in the way of entertainment or good football.

Matty Kosylo and Adam Morgan thumped long-range efforts against the Heed woodwork in the first half, with Kosylo sent off midway through the second half.

Gateshead are still searching for their first win over the reformed Shaymen, with eight of their nine games against them ending in draws.

Halifax, promoted from National League North, had a claim for all three points but in truth neither side did enough to win the game.

Gateshead’s only clear-cut chance came nine minutes from the break, when former Shayman Jordan Burrow’s close-range free header was superbly tipped over the bar by Sam Johnson.

Johnson had a brief and unsuccessful short spell at Gateshead last season but was rarely troubled on his return.

Gateshead manager Neil Aspin admitted it had been a frustrating afternoon for a crowd of 1,118, with 232 travelling up from West Yorkshire.

Aspin said: “It was a poor game that never flowed. We didn’t play well, it was very scrappy and was spoilt by the referee.

“The referee’s decisions in the game were a factor from the start, but we didn’t play well enough and need to be better.

“The positives are that it’s another clean sheet, but we’ve got to do more going forward in terms of creating chances.

“We’ve got to try and find a balance between being strong defensively and creating more in attacking areas.”

Both of Gateshead’s Bank Holiday games have been goalless stalemates.

Their credentials will be tested with consecutive weekend away trips to the top two, Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday and then Sutton United.