Gateshead 2 Matlock 0

A rain soaked Gateshead edged out Matlock Town in the muddy conditions.

The Tynesiders settled the quicker but didn’t dominated until midway through the first half, when Davie Southern (pictured after his goal) pounced on Paul Brayson cross in the six yard box to slot home the opening goal.

Steve Bowey gave a captains performance in midfield, if he couldn’t get his foot to it, he would throw his body at it. Either way the ball wasn’t getting past him.
Likewise was Phil Turnbull, he was always calm and collected on the ball.

Just before half time Gateshead grabbed their second goal through a James Curtis header, he powered home from 12 yards to leave the Matlock Keeper no chance of getting to it.

2-0 at Half Time

After the break Gateshead found it hard to break down Matlock, Town closed down and kept the Heed in their own half for much of the second half.

Paul Musselwhite (pictured making a vital save) was called into action a few times, but coped very well and didn’t panic.

Line up and ratings:

Musselwhite 8
Kicking wasn’t the best, but did the job when it mattered

Baxter 7
Got forward, one sloppy pass but the team wasn’t punished for it

Cave 7
Never really tested down the left, Helped the build up play well

Curtis 8
Fantastic goal, no body could have stopped him

Jones 7
Partnered Curtis well and kept his head

Phillips 8
Made things difficult down the right

Turnbull 7
Solid and reliable

Bowey 9
Was in the mix from start to finish, showed younger men how its done
Heed Army Blog Man Of The Match

Gate 7
Kept the ball moving

Southern 8
Took his goal well

Brayson 7
Pushed off the ball to easy, need to harden up for the UniBond, but did set up a goal so it all gravy.

Subs:

Thompson 7
In classic form

Harwood 7
Pure danger man when he came on

Armstrong 7
Should have scored and should have passed when shooting, sometimes it works.