Scott caps a comeback with late Heed winner
SUBSTITUTE Cedwyn Scott came off the bench to score twice – including an injury-time winner – at ten-man Farsley Celtic.
It completed a stunning comeback from the Heed, who trailed 3-1 early in the second half, with all of Farsley’s goals coming from high balls into the box.
The 4-3 victory was Gateshead’s eighth in nine league games and took them up to third in National League North.
Both sides’ defending was poor, a terrible gaffe in the Celtic penalty area gifting Macaulay Langstaff the Heed’s second.
Paul Blackett’s 26th-minute opener had been cancelled out before the break by Will Hayhurst’s penalty and Chris Atkinson’s header.
Ryan Wombwell conceded the penalty with a needless push in the back, while Heed keeper Jacob Chapman was culpable for the second.
The Australian came for a ball that he didn’t get, with Jordan Richards then heading Farsley’s third in the opening minute of the second half.
Gateshead had rested a number of players and had another four injured, but that goal saw key duo Scott and Adam Campbell enter the fray.
The changes, and Farsley striker Jimmy Spencer’s sending-off on the hour, turned the game, Campbell and Scott combining for the late winner that Farsley claimed was offside.
The referee and linesman deliberated for a lengthy period before allowing the goal to stand.
Gateshead now face a massive sixpointer showdown with leaders Brackley Town at the International Stadium on Saturday.
Player-manager Mike Williamson, one of a host of regulars who didn’t
start at Farsley, said: “It was a bit of a crazy game to be honest.
“The lads on the fringe hadn’t played as many minutes.
“Everyone deserves to play and it was a game we had to win.
“It was a really tough test in difficult conditions, and one we managed to come through.
“The boys were fantastic and fought all the way to the end to get a win we fully deserved.”
Gateshead now have a week to prepare for a big game in the race for the title against Brackley.
Another home game against second-bottom Blyth Spartans follows on Boxing Day as an in-form Heed target top spot.
■ TERRY Mitchell was unable to mark his home debut as Blyth Spartans manager with a win as Southport came from behind to claim all three points at Croft Park.
Spartans were on top for large parts of the first half and took a narrow lead into half-time with a goal from left-back Michael Liddle.
Their visitors arrived at Croft Park in fine form and they went on to extend their unbeaten run to a ninth game with two second-half goals.
Spartans struggled to deal with two corner-kicks and allowed Niall Watson and Marcus Carver to bundle the ball beyond Alex Mitchell to give their side the points.
Mitchell said: “I am absolutely gutted actually because I thought we played really well in the first half.
“Second half, to be beaten by corners, two set-pieces, is disappointing.”
■ SPENNYMOOR Town have confirmed the appointment of former Chester and Salford City joint-managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley.
The duo were confirmed as successors to Tommy Miller less than 24 hours after Moors’ legend Jason Ainsley took caretaker charge for Saturday’s 4-2 home win against Chester.
Two goals from top scorer Glen Taylor, a Luke Spokes strike and an own-goal from visitors’ goalkeeper Louis Gray gave Ainsley all three points on his short-lived return to the home dugout at Brewery Field.
Johnson and Morley oversee training this week ahead of Saturday’s FA Trophy third-round tie at Radcliffe and they received the backing of Moors managing-director Tony Wilson as they prepare to take charge of their new club.
In a club statement, Wilson said: “This is a statement of intent.
“We started the season so well and everyone was riding high.
“We want to get back to that as soon as possible and I see no better way.
“I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Anthony and Bernard’s vision for the squad and I know our supporters will enjoy watching it on the pitch.”
■ DARLINGTON claimed a notable scalp on Saturday as they become only the third club to take maximum points from National League North leaders AFC Fylde.
A fine finish from top goalscorer Luke Charman was the difference between the two sides.