IT’S JUST THE JOB FOR ROB
GATESHEAD made it three wins in seven days in their first league meeting on Tyneside with Rochdale for 64 years – Derby County striker Dajaune Brown the Heed’s match winner.
The teenage sensation has scored freely during his loan spell and his opportunist strike just before the half hour proved decisive as an in-form Gateshead ground out a solid win.
Rob Elliot’s high-flyers had put seven goals past north-east rivals Hartlepool three days earlier, this victory more prosaic against a Dale side that mustered only three attempts on goal.
Elliot, still interim manager after five months, was delighted with another maximum. “It was a fantastic clean sheet and a really important win, especially on the back of a highly emotional game against Hartlepool on Tuesday,” he said.
“We had to deal with that and the extra game compared to Rochdale. Understandably we got a bit leggy, the pitch was dry, it was windy, so it wasn’t the most fluent game in the world.
“Overall every single person has been outstanding in the last week, three different types of performance but three very positive results for the club.”
Midfield lynchpin Ed Francis fashioned an early opening for Kieron Evans but the Cardiff City loanee scuffed his shot and former Heed man Jacob Chapman saved comfortably.
A few minutes later, however, Gateshead had the match winner. Francis’ delightful lob into the box saw Brown get between two defenders and with the advanced Chapman flailing the 18-year-old guided the ball into the net.
Kain Adom headed straight at Chapman after the break, the Heed desperately unlucky not to double their lead on the hour.
Storey’s powerful header from Evans’ deep corner was superbly tipped on to the underside of the bar by Chapman with the ball then scrambled to safety off the line.
That kept Rochdale in the contest, Tynesiders substitute Greg Olley then inches away from scoring with a 16-yard curler.
Dale sub Tyrese Sinclair finally tested Nathan Harness in the home goal when his 82nd minute low angled drive was saved at the near post, too little, too late for the visitors.
Rochdale boss Jimmy McNulty added: “It was a very close game between two of the best footballing sides in the division – a cagey, tactical, possession-based affair.
“We were undone by a moment of direct play straight over the top and that proved the difference.”
STAR MAN:
Robbie Tinkler (Gateshead)
ATT: 1,760
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
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