Mac-nificent Lewis is the Heed’s hero
GATESHEAD Under-18s beat National League Under-19 Alliance leaders Eccleshill United 1-0 at Gateshead College.
Another goal for Lewis McGeoch sent the Heed youngsters temporarily top of the table as they saw off the Bradford-based outfit, who were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half.
Several of Ben Clark’s under-19 players were involved in the squad including McGeoch, who flicked Ben Garrity’s low cross into the net after 22 minutes to make it 1-0.
That is how the game finished - though head coach Gary Middleton felt it should have been more.
He said: “I thought the lads were fantastic throughout the 90 minutes but especially in the first half.
“We played great stuff in the opening 45 minutes and opened them up three or four times and really should have come in with a far more comfortable lead at halftime.
“Three or 4-0 would have been a fair scoreline.
“The sending-off in the second half sort of changed the game a little bit as we became a little bit sloppy and lackadaisical but still managed to see the game out and take the three points.
“The most important thing other than the win is the clean sheet.
“I think the way the lads are bonding together has been fantastic and we are seeing some great individual and team performances as a result.”
He added: “For Ben and I, the lads have picked up the style of play we are looking for very well.
“They keep the ball well and play out from the back, which is a philosophy we have all the way up to the first team.
“So it is very pleasing and it has been a good start to the season.
“The lads just need to keep playing the right way and continue their development in what could be a very good season for us.”