Blyth spirit gains reward
BATTLING SPARTANS HOLD HEED TO A DERBY DRAW AND LEAVE BOSS WILLIAMSON FEELING FRUSTRATED
FOR the second year running playoff hopefuls Gateshead had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw at relegation battlers Blyth Spartans.
Rock-bottom Blyth twice came from behind and then held on to claim a hard-earned point at a windswept Croft Park.
While Gateshead supplied the craft and guile Spartans’ graft, determination and never-say-die attitude earned its reward.
Gateshead handed a debut to onloan Grimsby Town goalkeeper Ollie Battersby but were not at their best defensively.
The right side of the back line was exposed on several occasions, two of which brought goals for the struggling home side.
Going forward, the Heed had plenty of efforts at goal and also hit the post twice in a stirring draw.
Spartans’ goalkeeper Brendan Pearson pulled off a string of important saves to keep his side in the game.
Gateshead had midfield man Jack Hunter sent off following a second yellow card in stoppage time.
That it was for dissent summed up another frustrating afternoon or Tynesiders’ player-manager Mike Williamson.
He was unable to celebrate the Christmas Eve signing of a new 12-month rolling contract with three points.
He said: “I feel like it was deja-vu to be honest.
“It was a derby and the conditions were difficult with the wind.
“By and large we played well. We dominated possession on a difficult pitch against a tough team.
“On the balance of play and the chances, hitting the post a couple of times, and balls into the box, it was just a lack of quality which let us down.
“The disappointment comes from not winning the game as we had enough possession and chances to take all three points.
“Blyth played percentage football and we could not rise above it in terms of finishing our chances off.”
A flurry of first-half goals saw the Heed twice in front through captain Greg Olley and Jordan Preston.
Olley’s 21st-minute effort deceived Pearson, while Preston capitalised on an Aaron Cunningham error.
Former Heed man Liam Agnew scored Blyth’s first equaliser with teenage substitute Corey McKeown adding a brilliant second on the hour.
Gateshead needed to be more ruthless in front of goal, goalscorer Preston believing the match was one that got away.
He said: “If you score two goals away from home you should win. We should have been out of sight.”
Gateshead now switch their attention to today’s derby against Spennymoor Town at the International Stadium, Blyth at Darlington.
Blyth boss Michael Nelson said: “It was hard work at times but I thought we deserved the draw.
“The work rate was brilliant and it was good to see the lads committed.
“We gave away two poor goals – but what a goal from McKeown to get something out of the game.”