Luke who’s got his spark back for Heed
SUNDERLAND loanee Luke Molyneux came out of the cold to give Gateshead the creative spark to sting the Bees at The Hive.
Molyneux has been used as an impact player off the bench in recent weeks but was boldly reinstated to the starting XI at Barnet.
The attack-minded 20-year-old came in for holding midfield man Jack Hunter and played a pivotal role in a fine 2-1 win in the capital.
Molyneux’s probing runs gave the Heed an extra dimension going forward, although he was by no means the only hero in an impressive display.
Scott Boden’s 20th-minute strike gave Gateshead a merited lead at the interval, only for Jack Taylor to level before the hour.
The equaliser came five minutes after Molyneux had rattled the bar from the edge of the box.
Not to be denied, it was from the Black Cats youngster’s surging run and diagonal ball out to Scott Barrow that produced the winner.
Barrow’s delivery into the box was good, Luke Armstrong’s finish even better as he side-footed into the far corner of the net.
Manager Steve Watson was delighted to get a first win in five and praised Molyneux’s contribution.
Watson said: “We had to be brave today. Something had to change to get a win and I wanted to be positive.
“Molyneux hasn’t started for a while, but he took his opportunity well and was one of a number of good performances.
“He has had to be patient but he has been outstanding all week in training. He deserved his chance and took it.
“Kerr was excellent at the back and is very consistent and it was two proper strikers’ goals that got us the win.
“We played really well in the first half, had to dig deep in the second when Barnet came back at us and then scored a good winner.”
Gateshead moved up to seventh ahead of a return to London this weekend to face leaders Leyton Orient.
Molyneux, pictured right, hopes to start again at Brisbane Road and was delighted with a good afternoon’s work at The Hive.
He said: “It was a great game and an entertaining one to be involved with – it was all about taking our chances. It was good for me to get 90 minutes and more importantly for the team to get three points and get back into the play-off places.”
Molyneux has had to be patient but he has been outstanding all week in training.
Steve Watson