Sunderland Reserves 2 Gateshead 0 Durham Cup Final

As the sun set over Wearside, the cry’s of HEED ARMY echoed around the Stadium of Light as a 800 strong Following for Gateshead geared up for the Durham Cup Final.

The opening exchanges were cagey and tentative to say the least with Heed players miss placing the odd pass and loosing footing on the slick premiership pitch.

15 minutes in and Sunderland Reserves took the lead after Billy Dennehy found the back of the Tynesiders net. Paul Musselwhite could do little to stop the goal.


The rest of the first half was in Sunderland’s control with the odd Gateshead attack being easily broken down on the edge of the Sunderland box.

After half time Gateshead stepped up a gear and did push forward with more purpose, but a Missed Steve Salvin Tackle let Sunderland straight through on the Heed goal for David Dowson to double the Black Cats lead.
Gateshead had a few chances in front of goal as the second half went on, with the best chance falling to Davie Southern how seemed to change his mind while one on one with the keeper. He ended up Passing a half paced ball instead of pulling the trigger, Sunderland’s Carson watched the ball trickle past for a goal kick.

In all it was a good night and the travelling Heed Army made them selves heard all over the Premiership stadium. It would have been the icing on the cake for what has already been a fantastic season seeing the Tynesiders promoted.

Line Up and ratings:

Musselwhite 7
Unfortunate to let two in.

Baxter 6
Well marked all game.

Cave 7
Got stuck in.

Curtis 7
Few slips, but turned it around.

Salvin 6
Looked a midfielder in defence in this game.

Phillips 6
His pace was not enough to beat the Sunderland defence.

Harwood 7
Final third let him down

Bowey 8
Was in the mix from start to finish
HEED ARMY BLOG MAN OF THE MATCH

Gate 6
Another player not at the races, but still battled.

Southern 6
Lack of pace showed against the full timers

Armstrong 6
Had one half chance.

Subs:

Talbot 6
Good to see him play in the final

Thompson 6
Nearly pulled off the cheekiest flick

Hutchinson 7
Added some bite in midfield.

The ratings may seem harsh, on what has been a fantastic team this year, but the Durham Cup final was just that game to far against a professional Sunderland side.

No matter what the result was gonna be in the Cup Final, the Heed Army's pride was never going to be dented on this great season and great team!