Match Report: Oliver Spark

Gateshead fell to a one-goal defeat against a youthful Newcastle U21 side in the National League Cup.

Gateshead kicked off their National League Cup campaign fielding a fresh faced squad with appearances for academy players Christian Lynn and Adam Doyle, as well as a full debut for Kyle Hurst.  

After a slow start to the game, the first ten minutes could be chalked up as equal with little given between either side.  

It was a moment of brilliance from Kain Adom that came from a build up of pressure in Newcastle’s final third. The winger took the ball thirty yards from goal and manoeuvred himself into a shooting position. His right-footed shot bobbled and the power behind it was enough to beat Adam Harrison’s strong hand as Gateshead took the lead.  

Newcastle quickly responded to going behind on the fifteenth minute mark with a well-worked counter attack leading to a neat cross and simple finish for Sean Neave to level the scoring.  

The action continued as Gateshead didn’t let their early pressure fade. Busy play by all of The Heed’s attack led to a cross being fired in from the right side of the pitch. The waiting Harry Chapman didn’t think twice in converting the cross with an incredibly taken right-footed back heel into the Newcastle goal. 

Neither team had clear cut chances as the game reached the half way point as both sets of midfielders did well to keep the play equal.  

Newcastle’s Garang Kuol’s shot on target was dealt with effectively by George Shelvey on his first start of the season. Kain Adom had a second effort from outside of the penalty area and saw this one draw a save from Newcastle’s Adam Harrison as The Heed’s number seven continued to excite.  

On his full debut Kyle Hurst displayed great play on the wing, cutting inside and getting his shot away which curled narrowly wide of the post.  

The one minute of added time ticked past and Gateshead finished the first half with the lead.  

The second forty-five began more quickly than the first with sparks of attack in both halves. Gateshead took the ball on the fiftieth minute and began a quick attack that progressed into the centre of the pitch. Callum Bone picked up the ball and used his control to skip through into the Box. Bone dodged the last tackle and finished beautifully with the outside of his boot to give The Heed a two goal lead.  

As the game crossed over the hour mark Gateshead were again quick on the break but their good play was halted in the area by a strong Newcastle tackle. The visitors then went on their own break and Shelvey was called into action to put Newcastle’s number nine Neave off.  

Gateshead continued to show quality in their attacks as plenty of fouls were drawn and build up play remained sharp.  

Despite The Heed having the better of the twenty five minutes after the break, Newcastle countered strongly and moved the ball onto Kyle Fitzgerald who displayed great skill to go on a solo run and converting his shot past Shelvey to make the score three-two.   

Newcastle’s number nine Sean Neave worked his way into the box and his left footed shot bobbled around the six-yard area and off Kenton Richardson, levelling the score.  

The pressure continued from the visitors and a powerful shot on Gateshead’s goal brought a quality save from Shelvey. The pressure did not stop from Newcastle and Gateshead conceded a free-kick. The resulting delivery was met by Cathal Heffernan and the ball was diverted home to give the visitors the lead.  

Newcastle did well to continue their pressure against a Gateshead team that showed character in the last portion of the game. Gateshead fell a goal short to a youthful side not willing to give an inch.  

Gateshead: George Shelvey, Will Flint (55’ Richardson), Kain Adom (57’ Lowery), Max Sheaf, Josh Home (35’ John), Kyle Hurst, Ben Williams, Harry Chapman (57’ Thompson), Trialist (66’ Milmore), Callum Bone, Christian Lynn.  

Substitutions: Tiernan Brooks, Adam Doyle. 

Goals: Adom (11’), Chapman (21’), Bone (49’).