Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead were held to a draw at Braintree Town in their third consecutive game to finish against 10 men.

The home side took the lead twice in the opening 15 minutes but were pegged back on both occasions by Owen Oseni & Joe Grayson, before Chay Cooper’s red card on the hour saw Braintree finish with 10 men. 

Carl Magnay made two changes from Tuesday night’s defeat to Rochdale, handing Grayson his first start since the opening day while returning loanee Will McGowan slotted into the XI in place of Jacob Butterfield.

McGowan took just two minutes to threaten on his return to Gateshead, sending a 20-yard shot against the outside of the post with Braintree goalkeeper Lucas Covolan scrambling across his line.

The hosts went ahead three minutes later however, with Jermaine Francis heading in from close range at the back post to give Braintree an early advantage.

Their lead was erased just three minutes later when Grayson slipped Oseni in behind the home defence, before the forward sent a low shot across goal to beat Covolan and net his ninth league goal of the season.

The pendulum swung Braintree’s way once more on 15 minutes to restore their lead, with Louie Annesley capitalising on Regan Booty’s slip in the Gateshead half to charge forward and strike past Owen Mason from 20 yards.

Once again though, Gateshead responded quickly to equalise, this time seeing Grayson turn from provider to goalscorer when he wrapped a left-footed shot into the far corner from Booty’s wide free-kick into the box.

Both sides had opportunities to net a third pass by, with Callum Whelan slightly overcooking a through ball to Oseni on the counter while at the other end Cooper blazed over for Braintree from close range.

Mason had to be alert to stop his own man from inadvertently putting Braintree ahead when he tipped Ben Radcliffe’s header over his own crossbar, before McGowan was forcibly withdrawn through injury towards the end of the half.

Tyrelle Newton – McGowan’s replacement just before the break – saw his 20-yard shot parried to Oseni moments after the restart, before the latter smashed against the post from a tight angle in his efforts to net Gateshead’s third.

The game’s talking point came on the hour mark when Cooper was shown a second yellow card following a foul on Booty on the centre of the pitch, reducing Braintree to 10 men and seeing Gateshead control possession from here on out.

Newton saw the best chance of the remaining half-an-hour come his way when Josh Williams’ cross hung up for the midfielder in the box, though his header floated just wide of the far post with Covolan out of position.

The Braintree stopper held a header from substitute Jovan Malcolm as time wore on, while Mason was on hand to tip Inih Effiong’s strike over the bar on the counter in Braintree’s only chance of the second 45.

A way through could not be found for either side however, with a point each the result come the final whistle, seeing Gateshead re-take fourth spot in the National League table. 

Gateshead: Mason, Radcliffe, Tinkler, Grayson (Belehouan, 57’), Hannant, Williams, Booty, Worman, Whelan, McGowan (Newton, 44’), Oseni (Malcolm, 73’).

Substitutes: Basey, Adom, Home, Milmore.

Goals: Oseni (8’), Grayson (20’).

Yellow Cards: Grayson (54’), Newton (89’).

Braintree Town: Covolan, Annesley (Robinson, 68’), Blackwell (Akinde, 84’), Clampin, Cooper, Phipps, Effiong (Fyfield, 90+4’), Francis (Lisbie, 76’), Langston, Terry, Vennings.

Substitutes: Haxthausen.

Goals: Francis (4’), Annesley (14’).

Yellow Cards: Effiong (22’), Phipps (31’), Clampin (45+4’), Lisbie (90+8’).

Red Card: Cooper (60’)

Attendance: 703