Gateshead Vs Buxton (Play-Off Final)

After the exploits of Tuesdays Play-Off Semi Final the attention turns to Saturday afternoon and the visit of Buxton for the Play-Off Final.

Gateshead’s last to encounters with Buxton have been a whitewash with two big score lines for Gateshead, both home and away.
The away victory of 4-0 on the 15th of April was a moral boosting win against fellow Play-Off hopefuls, goals from Phil Cave, Davie Southern, Steve Bowey and Kris Gate was enough on that cold Tuesdays night.
The home victory seen Buxton field a weakened side and fell to a crushing 5-0 defeat only last Saturday. Gateshead will not be entering this game thinking it will be as easy as the last two matches with Buxton, this is the Play-Off Final and the first goal will be crucial to decide who will be triumphant.

Buxton made to the Final of the Play-Offs after wining on penalty’s against long time league leaders Witton Albion on Tuesdays night Other Semi Final.

Davie Southern became the clubs leading goal scorer for the season after bagging two goals in the win over Eastwood Town, he is only two ahead of Graeme Armstrong who sits on 20 Goals.
Ian Bogie will have a big decision to make this week, will he start on Saturday with the same starting line up as the Semi Final or will he make a few changes??? The Heed Army wait in excitement!!

Gateshead 4 Eastwood 0 (Play-Off Semi Final)

The Tynesiders quest for promotion took one mighty step forward last night with one of the best displays of the season in front of one of the best crowds of the season.

Any pre match worry’s were soon put to rest as Davie Southern headed home after just 3 minutes to send the home crowd wild and the party started.

As if Southern’s goals wasn’t enough to make the mouth water, what the Heed Army witnessed on 13 minutes will live long in the memory of ever Heed fan who seen it.

Paul Brayson fired home a shot from 25 yards straight into the top right corner, pure genius and skill from the former Cardiff City man.

Eastwood did themselves no favours when Shaw found his own net from a Gateshead cross into the box, Eastwood’s travelling support must have been crushed to have been 3-0 down after only 28 minutes. Just on the stroke of half time Southern grabbed his second goal to make sure the result was gonna go Gateshead way.

In the second half Jamie Harwood had a goal disallowed as he was judged to have fouled the keeper, much to disappointment of the Heed Army.

The match was a joy to watch and every player in a Heed shirt did Tyneside proud, Bring on Buxton in the Play-Off Final!!!!!!!!!

Line Up and Ratings:

Musselwhite 9
Made some good saves, Gateshead’s Rock!!

Baxter 9
In the form of the season, know how to cross a ball better than Beckham.

Cave 9
Mr reliable

Curtis 9
The Man, The Myth, The Heed Legend!!!!!

Jones 9
In total control for 90 minutes.

Bowey 9
Captain, Leader, Winner in all area’s.

Gate 9
Love the sound of a crunching tackle.

Turnbull 9
Like having a extra player, everywhere at once.

Southern 10
Two great goals in a important game.
Heed Army blog man of the match

Brayson 10
Scored one of the best goal the International Stadium has ever seen.

Armstrong 9
Was in the mix from the start.

Subs:
Harwood 8
Unlucky his goal was disallowed.

Phillips 8
The pint sized giant was in full effect.

Salvin 8
Got in there and gave some for the Heed.

Squeaky Bum Time!!!! (Play-Off Preview)

Every Gateshead fan young and old will be experiencing a tight stomach and the tingle that on the Play-Offs can bring.

Eastwood Town stand in the way of the Tynesiders on route to possible glory at the Play-Off final.

The Badgers were the first opposition of the season down at Coronation Park, Gateshead came out on top with a 3-1 win. Wayne Phillips, Steve Salvin and Graeme Armstrong all found the net that day to send the coach load of Gateshead fans home happy.

In March the two sides drew 1-1 with Jamie Harwood notching Gateshead’s goal at the International Stadium in front of 301 people.
It easy to say this is the most important game of the season, and the clubs preparation in the build up to the Play-Offs has been fantastic.

Ian Bogie and Jeff Wrightson have been meticulous in there squad selection over the past few weeks making sure that the whole squad got a rest here and there.
Not only have the squad had rests, but they have been finding form all over the park.

Both Davie Southern and Graeme Armstrong have both reached 20 goals each, while Captain Steve Bowey had hit 3 goals in his last 4 games to take his tally to 8 goals. Defender Phil Cave also has banged in the goals this year, scoring 11 this term.

The mighty Paul Musselwhite has been in outstanding form keeping 8 clean sheets in the last 10 matches, the giant man from originally Portsmouth has been a rock you can depend on of late, lets hope he has a quiet Play off game.

All that is left to say, is Come down on Tuesday night and get behind the boys and sing your heart out for the lads!!!!!!!

HEED ARMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gateshead 5 Buxton 0

Gateshead ended the UniBond league season with a fine win over Play-Off hopefuls at the International stadium.

Ian Bogie watched on as his side ripped apart Buxton with the precise passing that has become a trademark under Bogie.

Ben Hutchinson got a start in the UniBond after having featured in Durham Cup games through out the season. Hutchinson didn’t look out of place in the Heed midfield as many Gateshead first team regulars were rested ahead of next weeks Play-Off semi final. Paul Talbot also made the starting line up as Wayne Phillips was rested from the left hand side, with Phil Cave playing on the left wing.

Jamie Harwood opened the scoring on 22 minutes, after beating the Buxton keeper one on one.

Paul Brayson scored his 7th of the season just before halt time on 44 minutes, after a great cross from Craig Baxter found the former reading mans head.

One minute after half time Gateshead were back in celebration after Davie Southern smacked home from yards to take it to 3-0 on 46 minutes.

On 63 minutes substitute Graeme Armstrong whipped in a cross to find Paul Brayson who calming slotted past the stranded keeper to score his 8th goal in a heed shirt this year.
Southern then took his tally for the season to 20 goals on 83 minutes to wrap up a grand win in the final league game of the season.
ROLL ON THE PLAY OFFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Line up and ratings:

Musselwhite 7
Only had to tie his boots today

Baxter 7
In good form, calm and collected

Talbot 7
Always give you a honest game

Salvin 8
Top draw like all season

Jones 8
Never looked like a ball would pass him

Harwood 8
Finding his early season form

Cave 7
Played well but looks better at left back

Hutchinson 8
Fitted in well in the Heed midfield

Southern 8
20 goals for the season, 52 goals in a Heed shirt

Brayson 9
Always on the sniff in front of goal
Heed Army Blog man of the match

Subs:

Turnbull 7
Game was won when he came on, but added to the teams all round play

Armstrong 8
Doesn’t just score them, he makes them

Gate 7
Good performance

Ashton Utd 0 Gateshead 1

The job got done nothing more nothing less, that is all that can really be said about this match.
A low tempo affair, with Gateshead not really risking much but not full attacking either.
The first half only really produced a few half chances, with Graeme Armstrong having the best of them.

Paul Thompson got a rare league start as Ian Bogie continued to rest key players in his 16 man squad. Wayne Phillips and Steve Salvin both return to the starting line up after missing the 4-0 win away to Buxton in midweek.

Although the game was not action packed in the first half the Tynesiders still managed to have more than their fare share of possession.

The second was much the same as first with little sparking into life. Although it was worrying to see James Curtis subbed with what appeared to be a dead leg, as he left the pitch with a slight limp.

Captain Steve Bowey (pictured after he scored) grabbed the winning goal on 67 minutes to give the travelling Heed Army something to cheer about on a cold April afternoon.

Paul Brayson came on as sub and had two great chances to double Gateshead lead, but the Ashton Keeper came out on top.

Line up and ratings:

Musselwhite 7
Had nothing to do

Gate 6
Looks a lot better in midfield

Cave 6
Went through the motions

Curtis 7
Hopefully he will be ok for the play offs

Salvin 7
Reliable as ever

Phillips 7
Ran his heart out

Harwood 7
Made problems for Ashton

Turnbull 7
In a good run of form

Bowey 8
Great goal, showed his grit
Heed Army Blog man of the Match

Thompson 6
The old work horse showed why he shouldn’t go to the glue yard just yet.

Armstrong 6
Was hustling

Subs:

Brayson 6
Need to get his head down and kick in the box, goals will fly in.

Southern 6
Spread the ball well.

Talbot 6
Got on with the job.

Buxton 0 Gateshead 4

Where do you start? Who do you with? Maybe we should start with three quotes after the match.

Ian Bogie “I wish more Gateshead fans could have seen that performance tonight”

Paul Thompson “I have never seen a second half like that in all my time in football” with shock and horror on his face, with a huge glimpse of pride.

The referee “Outstanding a team could play like that on a pitch like this, best I have seen all season”

The first half opened up a cagey affair with both teams wanting to make the first move, Buxton midfielder Anton Foster was a constant danger with his speed and first touch.

Gateshead had the edge in the first half but was a very level match until in the last ten minutes when the Tynesiders pushed for the opener.

Phil Cave drove home a powerful Drive from the edge of the box, it took a big deflection on route to the goal which left Buxton fan favourite Scott Hartley no chance of getting to it.

Just one minute later Paul Musselwhite made the first of to World Class saves, straight from the kick off Buxton pushed for the equalizer only to meet the man mountain Musselwhite.

1-0 at half time Gateshead just on top and good for the lead.

What can only be described as a football master class happen in the second half that took both sets of fans by complete surprise.

On a heavy and greasy pitch the passing display started, from wing to wing, from back to front, not one pass was missed placed, not one tackle or interception mistimed.
Phil Turnbull was in the form a world cup winner picking out passes left right and centre, total midfield general. His link up play was joy to watch as he picked out the forward runs of Harwood and Brayson Time after time.

Davie Southern was also in one mood the goal scoring mood and he powered his way past the two Buxton defender to blast a shot into the bottom corner on 57 minutes, Hartley could only get a finger to ball, but the shot was to powerful.

As if Turnbull, Gate and Harwood was not enough for Buxton to deal with, Steve Bowey was added to mix and made life hell for Buxton. He scored a peach from 18 yards after Gate had rattled the cross bar, Bowey picked up the rebound and slotted it home to pile the misery on Buxton’s home crowd.

Kris Gate was not to be denied after his earlier effort that had hit the cross bar, on 85 minutes he blasted a shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner. It rapped up a outstanding performance from the heed.

Every player in a Heed shirt Tuesday night was in the best form of the season, it was an absolute master class. If we play half as good in the play-offs the Heed Army is in for some exciting times.

Line up and ratings

Musselwhite 10
Two fantastic saves, rolled back the years.

Baxter 9
Tackled with the precision of laser guided missile.

Cave 9
Seemed to know where every Heed play was, inch perfect passes.

Curtis 9
Dominant, controlled, joy to watch.

Jones 9
Thought Tony Adams had taken over his body.

Gate 9
Head and shoulders above his rivals, and we aren’t talking shampoo either.

Harwood 9
Ran his heart out and it paid dividends

Turnbull 10
Could have been wearing a Brazil Shirt!!

Southern 9
Powerful goal, powerful performance.

Armstrong 9
Should have had a hat-trick, but still was ripping Buxton to shreds.

Brayson 9
Deserved a goal, made so much in the game, I wouldn’t want to be the Ashton keeper next Saturday if Brayson’s in the same form.

Subs:

Bowey 9
Made the Buxton cry when they seen his pace, let alone his goal.

Talbot 9
Picked up where Cave left off.

Thompson 9
Was giving it the show boat with some little back flicks, the cheeky monkey!!!!

Heed Army Blog man of the match goes to Ian Bogie and Jeff Wrightson for putting this team together!!

Buxton Preview

The Tynesiders travel to Buxton on Tuesday afternoon looking to carry on their good form ready for the Play-offs.

Buxton are also looking for 3 points to help secure their Play-off place, they sit 4th in the UniBond Premier League just 3 points ahead of Play-off chasing Guiseley in 6th.

Captain Steve Bowey (pictured below) has been in outstanding form of late and will be looking to lead the team by example.

Wingers and Jamie Harwood (pictured below) and Wayne Phillips will no doubt want to carry on where they left off against Prescot cables on Saturday. Both were in best and most dangerous form of the season, it would be no suprise to see ethier score on Tuesday night.

Gateshead 3 Prescot Cables 0

Prescot Cables started the match with some slick passing and the drive of a team coming to out to get a result. This only lasted a mater of minutes as Gateshead got into stride and picked apart the Prescot midfield and defence.

Davie Southern notched his 17th goal of the season as he latched on to rebound, spun and slotted it home past the Prescot keeper.

Six minutes later captain Steve Bowey doubled the Tynesiders lead to send the home crowd wild, it was a classic Bowser goal. Gateshead once again took a few minutes to get started in the second half as relegation threatened Prescot tried to push forward for something out of the game, but that would happen.

Kris Gate made it 3-0 with a fine finish, it was Gate’s 5th goal of the season. The Prescot keeper was lucky not red after handling the ball outside the box. The resulting free kick was taking by Paul Brayson , sadly it was high, wide and not at all handsome.

Line up and ratings:

Musselwhite 7

The veteran was never tested

Baxter 8

Was in the mix from start to finish

Cave 7

Got stuck in and made life hard for Prescot

Curtis 7

Stood tall and had it covered at all times

Salvin 7

Kept Prescot in his pocket

Harwood 8

Will sleep tonight, ran his socks off

Phillips 9

Gave it large, dominated the left hand side

Heed Army Blog Man of the Match

Bowey 8 (captain)

Great goal, in classic form

Gate 8

Great to see him score, deserved it

Southern 8

Was in the right place at the right time all game

Armstrong 7

Had his chances

Subs:

Brayson 7

Game was over when he came on

Talbot 7

Did his job

Jones 7

Covered well

Prescot Cables Preview

Prescot Cables are the visitors to the International Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to gain 3 points to help battle against relegation, Prescot currently sit one point above the drop zone.

Gateshead who have already secured a Play-off spot will want to keep in the winning way to carry into the Play-offs.
Ian Bogie could well carry on his squad rotation to keep the team fresh as they approach the important part of the season.

Gateshead’s three main strikers will all be looking to find the back of the net, Graeme Armstrong currently sits on 20 goals and is having a fantastic season since joining from Dunston Fed last summer. Davie Southern has 16 goals to his name, but has struggled to find the net in the last two and a half months only scoring twice in this time.

Meanwhile Paul Brayson has scored 5 since joining in February from York City, the much travelled former football league striker is playing slightly deeper and is making more than he scores at the moment.

All three strikers will be raring for Saturday to come and Bring on the Play-off’s!!!!!

Stamford 1 Gateshead 1

Gateshead travelled to relegation threatened Stamford looking for their sixth win in a row, but sadly this was not to be.

Stamford took the lead on 33 minutes with Stamford’s Byrne getting the ball into Paul Musselwhite net.
It would not be until the second half when the Tynesiders pegged the score line back to 1-1, Paul Brayson (pictured below) was on hand to score his 5th goal of the season for Gateshead, from a 25 yard free kick.

Stamford Preview

Ian Bogie and Jeff Wrightson take the Tynesiders to 18th placed Stamford chasing a sixth win in a row.

Gateshead have no major injury worries ahead of the match, with Jamie Harwood shaking off the knock he got towards the end of the 5-1 win away to Marine last Saturday.
Carl Jones also was on the end of a very nasty tackle in the same match, but ran it off during the match, hopefully there will be no lasting damage.

As expected against Marine Bogie rotated his squad leaving Southern, Bowey and Gate on the bench. It wouldn’t be surprising if some other big names in the team also have a rest ahead of the Play-offs.

Marine 1 Gateshead 5

The Tynesiders really gave a supreme football lesson to one of the better UniBond Teams, Marine couldn’t handle the flowing passing game of Gateshead as they crashed to a 5-1 defeat.

Although many people will look at the score line, then see Marine finished the match with nine men, it was not the factor of being short on numbers that lead to Marines Play-off’s dreams all but come to an end.

Ian Bogies men where all over Marine like a rash spreading the ball like butter from right to left. Jamie Harwood and Wayne Phillips had the freedom of the wings, while Steve Salvin and Phil Turnbull both gave a commanding performance.

The opening goal came from a Jamie Harwood free kick which seen both centre backs Curtis and Jones storm into the box with Carl Jones (pictured hitting the ball for the goal) getting the final touch to open the scoring.

The second goal came from the penalty spot after a Marine player seen red for handling the ball on the line to stop in going in. Phil Cave (pictured placing the ball for the penalty) stepped up and calmly slotted his 10th goal of the season. Gateshead kept up the pressure until half time where the score had stayed at 2-0.
After half time the Marine just collapsed, they couldn’t handle the Gateshead extra man advantage.

Graeme Armstrong notched his 19th goal of the season on 64 minutes after some great build up play from the Heed midfield.

The match seen a red card for the second time after Marine substitute hacked down Carl Jones from behind.

Marine hit straight back on 65 minutes when Musselwhite could get to the ball after a Marine burst through the to hit looping ball into the net, not Musselwhites fault but a blemish on a otherwise perfect afternoon for the Heed.

Paul Brayson (pictured with Bowey after his goal)answered some critics with a lovely little shimmy in the 6 yard box side stepping two Marine defenders and putting the ball under the keepers legs to make it 4-1.

Armstrong then added to his goal tally with his 20th goal of the season. It rounded off a great afternoon in the sunshine on Merseyside. He could have added another two goals in injury time if it was not for two great saves from the Marine keeper.

(All photo's take at Marine)

Heed Army Blog man Of the Match would go to the hole team but James Curtis was a stand out preformer.

The hole team gets a 8!!!!!!!!!

Marine Preview

Gateshead travel to Merseyside on National day looking for a Grand performance.

Paul Musselwhite will be looking to take his clean sheet run to five straight games, having kept clean sheets against Kendal Town, Ossett Town, Matlock Town and Prescot Cables. The veteran of over 600 league games may have his best years behind him but had stood tall and brave when needed since arriving from Harrogate Town to help with the Tynesiders promotion drive.

Also in sparkling form is striker Paul Brayson, who has set up three goals in two games. His role as striker has only produced three goals since he signed for the Heed after his release from York City, yet his experience is helping the team get goals through out the team. The former Reading and Cardiff City striker sometimes looks pressured on the ball, but cream always rises to the top, no doubt come Saturday he will be aiming for the back of the net.

Marine sit just outside the Play-offs, six points is all that is separating the Merseyside side team from Play-offs. So you can guarantee Marine will be pushing forward every time they get the ball.

Peter Cumiskey is going to be a big threat, a powerful forward and good in the air. Carl Jones will have his hands full, but is more than capable of keeping him at arms length.

Here is a Peter Cumiskey penalty from last season against Witton Albion.

Prescot Cables 0 Gateshead 2

Gateshead made it four wins in a row with the 2-0 victory away to Prescot Cables on Tuesday night.

Not only was it the fourth straight win, it was the fourth straight clean sheet in a row.
Phil Turnbull scored the Tynesiders first goal on 41 minutes, then Carl Jones secured the win with his goal 2 minutes later on 43 minutes.

A fantastic away victory for the Heed Army, Ian Bogies men will be wanting to carry the fine form into Saturdays match at Marine.