SHAYMEN HEED JINX RETURNS
GATESHEAD have never beaten FC Halifax Town since the Shaymen reformed 15 years ago, a run that stretched to 17 games following this latest false dawn.
The Heed were unable to avenge a 1-0 FA Trophy final defeat against Town in May as the National League’s second highest scorers hit the buffers against the division’s meanest defence.
It was a fifth consecutive game against the Shaymen in which Gateshead have failed to find the net, no end in sight to the Heed’s Halifax hoodoo.
Town managed just three efforts on target, but two of them flew in as Kane Thomson-Summers’ first half stunner was followed by a superb solo effort midway through the second from Millenic Alli.
Halifax defended brilliantly with Adam Senior and Jamie Stott rocks at the back, Town’s counter-attack game plan working to a tee as the Tynesiders fluffed their lines.
Gateshead interim manager Rob Elliot said: “It was disappointing in terms of the result as it wasn’t a 2-0 game in my opinion, and frustrating because we didn’t play anywhere near our levels.
“We can talk about the pitch and how Halifax came to frustrate us, to sit in with 11 men and try to counter, but because of the way we play teams are going to try and come and stop us.
“We have to find solutions in games and within moments, but it wasn’t acceptable today – we can be so much better.”
Gateshead had scored almost twice as many goals as Halifax, but key players were unable to rise to the occasion in front of the TNT Sport cameras and injured playmaker Greg Olley’s guile was sorely missed.
Regan Booty had an early effort deflected wide, while the Heed just about managed to scramble clear Ryan Galvin’s dangerous cross at the other end.
Meetings between the two sides are rarely classics and this was another tough watch, Billy Chadwick shooting straight at Town keeper Sam Johnson in a game of few chances.
But when Thomson-Sommers cut infield and glided past Booty the midfield man arrowed a fine 20-yard shot into the far top corner on 35 minutes.
Gateshead’s encouraging start to the second half was nullified when Alli won a challenge with Kenton Richardson inside the Halifax
half and raced down the left to fire low into the far corner.
And Gateshead’s afternoon was summed up when Luke Hannant’s late effort crashed off the crossbar.
“The game plan worked largely,” said delighted Town boss Chris Millington. “It was crucial we made the most of the transition and the players did that.
“The pitch was heavy and slow, which allowed us to use our counter-attack and be a bit more direct on our regain. When we got our opportunities we took them.”