Farsley Celtic in the First Round

After Giving Boston United a footballing lesson the Heed have been handed a good home draw with Farsley Celtic Of the Blue Square Premier in the Next round of the FA Trophy.

Farsley Celtic were in the UniBond a few seasons ago and have had a fantastic few seasons with two promotions in that time. This was achieved under the management of Lee Sinnott.
Sinnott has Just left Farsley to take up the Managers post at Port Vale in the Football league.

The big game will be at the International Stadium on December 15th, so be there!!!!!!!

Gateshead 2 Boston Utd 1

Boston United looked shell-shocked after the first ten minutes of the game on Saturday, they was out worked, out paced and out played by the Mighty Heed.

Wayne Phillips was electric down the left wing, the Boston defence couldn’t handle Gateshead’s version of Ryan Giggs.

Graeme Armstrong was also in dangerous form skinning the defender time after time, which lead to the keeper bringing down Armstrong in the box after he left the defence in his wake.
Up stepped Phil Cave to bury the ball into the back of the net.
After Cave’s spot kick Gateshead continued to dominated play against the Blue Square Premier visitors, with some stylish passing and great vision which has become Gateshead's trade mark since the appointment of Ian Bogie.

The second half seen Boston try and step it up and come at Gateshead in search of the equalizer, it came on 65 minutes when Boston’s Froggatt scored.
Gateshead came back from this body blow straight away and pushed forward, one man who deserved a goal got the goal to put the Heed back in front. The cry’s of OH LAY OH LAY OH LAY OH LAY STEEVIE BOWEEEEEY went up after he got the ball in the back of the Boston net.

Boston could have levelled it Hitting the post in the dieing moments of the game, but the game was Gateshead’s and a well deserved result.

Three players that haven’t been mentioned in the match report need to be praised for fantastic performances. Firstly on loan defender Carl Jones made his debut and he battled right to the very end, was a joy to watch win every ball.
Like wise it was a joy to watch Richard Flynn along side Jones, Flynn Battled for every thing and came out on top.
Last but not least was Peter Keen (pictured) after a lay off there was no rust in his game, he was there for every cross and shot.

Line up and ratings

Keen 8
Had glue on them hands

Baxter 8
Was never troubled and his attacking play was on par with Ronaldo

Cave 8
Can not find a fault in his game on Saturday, Great Penalty

Flynn 9
Outstanding, Cream always rises to the top!!!!!!!!!

Jones 10 (debut)
Sublime, was possessed by Bobby More!!!
Heed Army Blog Man Of The Match

Harwood 8
Looked like he did at the beginning of the season

Phillips 9
Starting to develop into the play he needs to be week in week out, Top Class

McClen 8
Wasn’t the Star player, but didn’t need to be and didn’t put a foot wrong

Bowey 9
OH LAY OH LAY OH LAY OH LAY, the midfield Marvel!!

Southern 8
Boston Couldn’t handle him

Armstrong 8
Looked like the player he is away from home, Should have scored

Subs:

Tablot 7
Didnt let the side team down

Atkins 7
Kept the ball moving

Thompson 7
Knows how to hold up play when needed

Robson (Not used)

Video from Ilkeston trip

Boston United Preview

Gateshead could have new loan singing Carl Jones in the starting line up for the FA Trophy match at home to Boston United on Saturday.

Jones a defender on a months loan York City, will more than likely partner James Curtis (Pictured) in the centre on defence.
Meanwhile it is reported keeper Paul Musselwhite has to decide weather to return to Harrogate or Join the Heed on a permanent basis.
Musselwhite has been on top form in the Gateshead nets since arriving on loan from Harrogate Town, His departure would see Gateshead continue to find a Goal keeper of high quality.

The visitors Boston United formally of The Football League Two last year, will be out to stop Gateshead's FA Trophy Dreams. They currently occupy 10th spot in the Blue Square North, no doubt they will be wanting to an extended run in the competition after last year relegation by two leagues.








Blue Square North Table:

1	Harrogate Town	16	12	2	2	29	16	+13	38
2	Hyde United	18	12	1	5	42	19	+23	37
3	Kettering Town	16	11	4	1	32	12	+20	37
4	Southport	17	11	3	3	36	18	+18	36
5	AFC Telford United	17	9	4	4	25	14	+11	31
6	Nuneaton Borough	17	8	5	4	26	19	+7	29
7	Burscough	17	9	2	6	25	21	+4	29
8	Stalybridge Celtic	17	7	3	7	27	21	+6	24
9	Alfreton Town	17	7	3	7	22	24	-2	24
10	Boston United	17	6	5	6	30	27	+3	23
11	Workington	15	6	4	5	22	19	+3	22
12	Worcester City	17	5	6	6	23	30	-7	21

Hopefully The Heed Army Can get fully behind the team and cheer them on to glory!!

Honorary Member of the Heed Army!!!

After his sterling work promoting Gateshead Football Club on his radio show on NE1FM, Andy Mac has been Added to the ranks of the Heed Army!!

Arise

Private Andy Mac

Andy has interviewed Chairman Graham Wood then Manager Ian Bogie and his assistant Jeff Wrightson on his show over the past few weeks, this has been great publicity for the club. Last week he interviewed Gateshead legend Paul "Thommo" Thompson and David "Chicken Legs" Southern, this week two Heed fans will be on the show, to give their views on all things Gateshead.


Listen to NE1FM at 10 pm tonight (Monday) to hear Tony Carter and David Gaddess

Click here to go to NE1FM to listen

Ilkeston 2 Gateshead 0

Gateshead travelled to Ilkeston with the aim of getting back on track after last weeks poor performance against Worksop Town.
Sadly the Heed could not do this, an average Ilkeston side out battled the promotion tipped Tynesiders in nearly all area’s of the pitch.

The midfield was only half productive with Steve Salvin and Wayne Phillips getting forward and back while McClen and Gate seemed to drift back in and out the game over the full 90 minutes.
With the midfield at six’s and seven’s the forward line seen no service at all during the game (if Pele himself was upfront the would have only been able to kick the grass) as bugger all made it past the midfield.

The only two half attempts for the hole game from Steve Salvin, he hit the wood work in the first half and also had a glancing header easily picked out the air by the Ilkeston keeper.

The defence was also put under pressure by the midfield inconsistency, which lead to the spells of pressure from Ilkeston.

Ilkeston took the lead on 44 minutes, the goal must have delt Gateshead a blow as the team never recovered.

With things not going Gateshead way Ian Bogie made some substitutions bringing Robson on for Southern and Thompson on for Armstrong later on. Even though Southern and Armstrong had few if any chances in front of goal, they would always be the men you could count on to get a goal from nothing.
Robson had little to no impact and has looked out of his depth for a many weeks now, also struggling against northern league opposition in the Durham cup.
Thompson is always a handful but has seen better days, yet he is a player you would always want on your bench because he can fill many positions, but to bring both Robson and Thompson on was like holding up the white flag and shortly after Gateshead let in the second goal.

If we are to be seriously considered promotion materiel then changes have to be made and tough decisions made.

Heed Army Shopping List:

Goal Keeper
Central Defender
Midfielder with balls
out and out target man

Santa please bring the Heed some early presents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Line Up nad ratings:

Musselwhite 7
Made a great save other wise it was 3-0

Baxter 8
can come out the game with some pride

Cave 7
Had a quiet game

Curtis 6
One or two mistakes

Flynn 6
Also felt the strain

Phillips 8
The Danger man
Heed Army Blog Man Of The Match

Gate 6
Went missing

McClen 6
Could only pass sideways

Salvin 8
the man battles for 90 mins, some players could learn a lot from his approach to the game

Southern 6
No joy, No ball at his feet

Armstrong 6
felt sorry for him running all over but not getting the service


Subs:

Robson 5
Hard to find words

Thompson 6
Old man doing a young mans running game, not his fault

Talbot

Gateshead 2 Newcastle Blue Star 0

It could have been a training game at the International Stadium on Wednesday night, Gateshead never got motoring but still won 2-0.

Midfielders Wayne phillips (pictured) and Steve Salvin got the goals, with Paul Musselwhite making two great saves at the other end of the pitch.

The game was not without incident after Former Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough striker Alun Armstrong was sent off half way through the first half for verbally abusing the referee.

Notable performances came from Craig Baxter looked a cut above dominating his part of the pitch, likewise for Phil Cave who never put a foot wrong all game.
Wayne Phillips was like a man on fire down the left hand side and skinned the Blue Star defenders faster that rabbi performing circumcision before his lunch break. Was a joy to watch!!!!

Scott Bell clapped and gave a nice wave to Heed Army after coming off, could this be a sign he’s on his way to the Heed in the coming weeks, only time will tell!!!!

Line ups and ratings:

Musselwhite 8
Played like a young Gordon Banks

Baxter 8
A real cut above

Cave 9
Top Class
Heed Army Blog Man Of The Match

Curtis 7
Hopefuly groin isnt to bad

Atkin 6
Was shacky at times

McClen 6
Was cort short once or twice

Salvin 7
Mr reliable, good goal

Gates 7 (Captain)
Maybe should have got on the score sheet

Phillips 8
The Pint Sized Marvel is back on form

Southern 7
Worked hard and created alot.

Armstrong 6
went missing for alot of the game

Subs:

Thompson 6
The legend

Talbot 6
Little time to make an impact

Flynn 7
Replaced Curtis well

Newcastle Blue Star Preview

The Tynesiders take on Unibond div 1 neighbours Newcastle Blue Star on Wednesday night hoping to bounce back from Saturdays defeat to Worksop Town.

A little bit of spice is added to the mix for this game with Tommy Cassidy having managed both Gateshead and Blues Star. The Tynesiders will be hoping to give the UniBond new boys a lesson in football at the International Stadium.

Blue Star could have former Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town striker Alun Armstrong in there team for this game after signing the veteran last month.

Blue star currently sit 6th in the UniBond North Div 1 and will be no push over, with experienced players in their side who have played at the highest levels.

UniBond League North Div 1:

1	Curzon Ashton	13	9	4	0	28	10	+18	31
2	Bradford Park Avenue	13	8	1	4	35	18	+17	25
3	FC United of Manchester	13	8	1	4	28	12	+16	25
4	Garforth Town	15	7	4	4	27	21	+6	25
5	Ossett Albion	15	7	3	5	28	28	0	24
6	Newcastle Blue Star	15	6	5	4	26	19	+7	23
7	Mossley	14	6	3	5	24	24	0	21
8	Bamber Bridge	11	6	2	3	16	11	+5	20
9	Lancaster City	14	6	2	6	24	29	-5	20
10	Skelmersdale United	12	5	4	3	23	18	+5	19

David Southern (pictured) a former Blue Star player will surely bon on top form to face his. former club.

Gateshead 0 Worksop Town 1

Out battled, out paced and out witted!! That was just the Referee!!!!

As for Gateshead they will have to take a look at them selves and ask, did we do enough? The answer would seem to be no.

Shots on target was very short and far between, with James Curtis having the best chance for a goal with a header late on, put found very little power from 6 yards.

The referee didn’t let the game flow and got lots of decision wrong for both sides, although he did let a lot of late tackles go for Worksop. This added to the Heeds frustrations and sloppy balls where given away, this left the defence under a lot of pressure from the Worksop powerhouse of a striker number 9 as he latched on to the long balls up to him.

Paul Musselwhite made two world class saves in the second half to save Gateshead's blushes, but the first half strike by the Worksop number 9 was enough to seal the 3 points on the day for the away team.

Kris Gate seen red for a second yellow card, but the offence is anybody’s guess, he was tackled from behind and fell on the ball and the ref got his cards out. A very strange one indeed.

In all Gateshead didn’t get a foothold in this game and to many players concentrated on the referee rather than the match at hand. Ian Bogie will be as disappointed as the fans with this home result.

Line Up and Ratings

Musselwhite 8
kept the score line respectable

Baxter 7
some good crosses, but nobody on the end of them

Cave 7
On his game as ever this season

Flynn 5
Had a nightmare with the number nine

Curtis 6
Should have scored

Harwood 6
Dispersed after half time

Phillips 8
He kept going while everyone Else lost there head
Heed Army Blog Man Of The Match

McClen 6
Picked up his performance late on the in the second half, but before that was not at the races

Gate 7
Will still be thinking how he seen a red card

Southern 6
Struggled after a few harsh tackles

Armstrong 6
Need to transform his away form to home


Subs:

Thompson 6
The game was lost when he came on

Salvin 6
No impact on a dyer game

Talbot

A LEGEND IS BORN!!!!!

Paul Thompson has become the leading goal scorer for Gateshead Football club, After scoring Hat-Trick Against Birtley Town in the Durham Cup.

Paul who was also making his 400th appearance for the Heed, Celebrated his Fantastic achievement by running along the running track and really savouring the moment of his 129th goal.
Paul has played for the club since the Mid 90's and has been a great servant to GFC, he always has time to talk to the Heed Army.
Paul's Comic wit is famed and is a massive personalty in the Gateshead dressing room.

Well Done Paul "Thommo" Thompson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Birtley Town 2 Gateshead 4

The Away Game that felt like home!!

Gateshead didn't start as quick as Birtley but ended up giving a football lesson. Birtley were no push overs and clearly had something about them, but once Gateshead moved threw the gears Birtley wilted.

Birtley grabbed an early lead after Paul Talbot missed a tackle to let the Birtley forward through on the Heed keeper who was in no mans land after the missed tackle.

The man of the moment Paul "Legend" Thompson leveled the game for half time.

Midway through the second half Gateshead were awarded a penalty, up stepped Thompson, he slotted it home and became level record goal scorer for the Heed with 128 goals.
A moment Paul and the Heed Army enjoyed!

History was Broke, Made, and Savoured when Paul latched on to a great cross, he chested it down and let rip with a beautiful shot in to the corner! GOAL 129!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A LEGEND IS BORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wayne Phillips also found the back of the net, but the night belonged to Paul!!!

needless to say the HEED ARMY BLOG Man Of The Match Paul Thompson

NON-LEAGUE FAN OF THE WEEK

The Heed Army 's very own Tony Carter has been made Non-League Fan Of The Week by BBC London's website.

Tony who is never short on words, is very humble to have won the award but he said "The award represents the the HEED ARMY and Club as a hole"

Well done To Captain Carter!!!!!!

Click here to read more about Tony’s Award

RAG WITH DMV

The Heed Army Blog would like to say a big well done to four students from Leicester Uni, who traveled round the country to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Their names are:

Tome Norman - Music Tech Student

Becky Nightingale - Media & Journalism Student

Hannah Mills - Psychology & Media Student

Alex Ramus - Nursing Student

Their trip started off From Leicester to London to Newcastle then they Hopefully made it to Liverpool then back to Leicester.

WELL DONE!!

Matlock Town 1 Gateshead 2

Gateshead progress easily to the next round of the FA Trophy after beating Matlock 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Kris Gate opened the scoring for the Heed late in the first half with a fantastic edge of the box pile driver, with rippled the Matlock goal net.

Prior to Gates goal, the first half was all Gateshead and Jamie Harwood had several chances to score. Harwood made life hard for the Matlock Left back with darting runs and stylish passing.

Wayne Phillips scored Gateshead goal after running on to a great ball and his shimmy on the edge of the box gave him enough room to get the ball in the back of the net. GREAT STUFF FROM THE HEED AND WAYNE

mat locked pulled a goal back but never looked like getting and equalizer and Gateshead continued to dominate in the later stages.

Chris Hughes (pictured) came on as substitute and was shown a straight red card, after he won a 50/50 ball (which ended up hitting the adverts board on the side of the pitch, that was in the direction he kicked it), the Matlock player stayed down after the tackle as both players had connected after the ball was kicked.
Up steps the Referee and he produces a red card, to the disbelief of home and away support. After the game the referee said he had not seen a tackle as bad as the said incident all season.

Everyone says Refs are blind and W**kers, it could be true!!!!

Line up and ratings:

Atkins 7
Shouted all game long, an example to follow

Baxter 7
Great stuff down the right hand side

Cave 7
Same as Baxter but down the left

Curtis 8
Calm and cool as a cucumber

Flynn 8
Capturing his old form, a joy to see back in the thick of it

Harwood 8
Getting back to his old tricky self

Phillips 8
Great goal, worked like a paddy laying tarmac

Gate 9 (Captain)
Captains performance rounded off with a cracking goal
HEED ARMY BLOG MAN OF THE MATCH

McClen 7
Never panics on the ball

Armstrong 7
More than a handful

Robson 7
Should have made a goal in the box