Carl Morrison praised a resolute performance from Gateshead Ladies as they earned a second consecutive win in the NERWFL last Sunday.
The Heed ran out 2-0 winners over i2i International Academy last weekend, with a goal inside two minutes from Faye Killeen putting the hosts in control before a second half own goal ensured three points.
“It was a bit of a strange one [scoring so early] because it kind of changed the game a little bit,” said Morrison.
“We get off to a really fast start and we continued dominating the game really and looking a threat, but then after that i2i were very comfortable on the ball at the back.
“We sat off them, let them have it, blocked passing lanes and looked to counter from then, so it was one of those games where we probably had a bit less of the ball than we usually like, but we controlled the game without the ball.
“We gathered that i2i would all be technically sound and fit, which they were, and we knew where we wanted them to have the ball and where we didn’t want them to have the ball.
“With them being quite a young team, we felt like we could use our experience a bit and hopefully be a bit more tactically aware.
“The girls now know what we need to do dependent on the situation of the game or opposition.
“If we have a team where we have a lot of success pressing them then we’ll look to press high always, but if not we might drop off into a mid-block and look to engage around the middle third, but the girls adapted really well.”
Photo: Emilio Kirtley
Gateshead’s win sees them move up to second in the NERWFL table with six points from their opening two games, having scored five and conceded one.
A clean sheet on Sunday was perhaps the most pleasing aspect for Morrison, who admitted they can be few and far between.
“It was huge – they’re quite rare in our league,” he said.
“Carly [Salmon] has made one absolutely world class save down in the bottom corner, I still don’t know how she’s saved it, and there were bodies on the line in spells.
“I never really felt like we were going to concede, but i2i made a few changes in the second half and had a few chances which we got some good blocks in on.
“It’s just really pleasing for the whole team, it wasn’t just the defensive unit. Faye [Killeen] up front was our first defender effectively, so for the whole team to get a clean sheet was really pleasing.”
The 2024/25 season sees Morrison joined by an expanded coaching team, with assistant manager Tom Kelly-Hansford, goalkeeping coach Adam McGuinness and coach ‘Rusty’ Melrose backing the manager up in the dugout and on the training pitch.
The Heed next face Bishop Auckland Ladies on Sunday, September 22 (2pm kick off) in the first of four consecutive away games, with the side not returning to Gateshead until a cup fixture against South Moor Juniors on Sunday, October 20.
“Sunday was amazing because it was one of the best crowds we’ve ever had, apart from the FA Cup game against Alnwick last season,” Morrison added.
“It’s a shame we’ll not experience that for the next four games, but we always enjoy an away game and we’re comfortable going out on the road.
“It’s the first time we’ve been a four with Tom, Rusty, Adam and I, and more bodies, more minds and more eyes has been a really big help.
“Coaching wise and playing wise, we’re in a really good place. We’ve got the right people and the right characters in, so it stands us in good stead for the season.”
