Heed battle it out to earn a share of spoils
GATESHEAD put in a real shift against third-top Solihull Moors to earn a battling 1-1 draw at the International Stadium.
Ben Coker’s own goal gave the Tynesiders a dream start and they then rode their luck as Solihull hit the woodwork three times in ten minutes.
That ran out when Alex Gudger restored parity after 83 minutes, with Gateshead then having two glorious chances to win the game.
In the end they had to settle for a share of the spoils in an entertaining game against a good Solihull side.
There were big performances all over the pitch, none more so than from centre-back Kenton Richardson on his return after a long layoff.
Summer signing Lewis Knight was named in the 16 for the first time after injury, but Paul Blackett’s continued absence remains a mystery.
Knight did not get on but fellow strikers Adi Yussuf and Aaron Martin got more minutes and gave the frontline a physical presence, if not pace.
A ring-rusty Martin twice got in on goal, one from Dan Ward’s through-ball, the other self-created, but could not capitalise on either occasion – the threat is there, though.
Late subsitute Will Harris did
well to find half a yard from Martin’s pass – but with the goal gaping he blasted his 16-yard drive over the bar.
It would have been an injurytime winner, with assistant manager Ian Watson believing a draw – the fifth at home – was the least his side deserved.
He said: “It was a very good performance.
“The work rate was unbelievable and we had chances in the second half to put the game away.
“Solihull are a really good side you have to give respect to and we had to be switched on for 97 minutes.
“We had three one-on-ones in the second half.
“On another day you score
them, the game is put to bed and we come away with three points.
“We cannot take anything away from the boys, though – the performance was unbelievable.”
Again Gateshead’s high press forced an error which resulted in a goal, with Coker’s ball from out wide midway in the Moors’ half going under goalkeeper Ryan Boot’s foot.
When Heed counterpart James Montgomery elected to catch rather than punch clear Kyle Storer’s high lob into the box, Solihull were level.
Coming into traffic the ball slipped from Montgomery’s grasp, struck Moors’ sub Andrew Dallas and fell kindly for Gudger to sweep home from seven yards.