Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead’s Isuzu FA Trophy defence came to an end in the fourth round at the hands of Boston United. 

Played at Stockton Town due to a frozen pitch at Gateshead International Stadium, the tie saw Boston ahead at half time through Tony Weston’s close-range finish.

Will McGowan drew Gateshead level 65 minutes in only for a quick Boston double to put the visitors two ahead within five minutes, as goals from Jai Rowe and Sam Osborne sent The Pilgrims to the fifth round.

Carl Magnay opted for four changes to the side that was narrowly defeated at York on New Year’s Day, most notably seeing Kenton Richardson return to the side in defence following a long-term injury lay-off.

Opportunities were few and far between in the game’s opening stages at Stockton, with Luke Hannant’s low shot on 21 minutes – parried away by Aidan Stone – the first shot on target of the tie.

Both goalkeepers were called upon to keep things goalless within the next 10 minutes, as Stone leapt to tip McGowan’s curling 20-yarder wide before Owen Mason got down to his right to push Dan Adshead’s goal-bound effort around his far post.

Boston dealt the first blow with 37 minutes on the clock though, with Jacob Hazel robbing Tinkler of possession in Gateshead’s half before teeing up Weston for the latter to side-foot into the far corner.

Gateshead emerged for the second 45 with renewed intent having gone behind though, controlling the tempo of the game early on after the restart, and Hannant again called Stone into a diving save from the edge of the box on the hour mark.

McGowan drew The Heed level five minutes later to bring things back to square one when he connected with Dan Jones’ cross from close range to net his first competitive Gateshead goal, but his side were undone by a swift reply from the visitors mere minutes later.

A wide free-kick saw Cameron Green find the head of Rowe on the edge of the six-yard box to restore Boston’s lead, before Osborne finished a move off at the near post two minutes afterwards to put The Pilgrims two ahead.

Substitute Kain Adom drew a low save from Stone in the game’s final moments, though no reply could be mustered as Gateshead exited the FA Trophy at the fourth round stage. 

Gateshead: Mason, Tinkler (Belehouan, 75’), Richardson (c) (Haunstrup, 75’), Jones, Hannant, Williams (Adom, 75’), Booty, Humbles, Worman, McGowan (Colkett, 79’), Malcolm.

Substitutes: Leech, Pani, Lowery.

Goals: McGowan (65’)

Boston United: Stone, Green, Leak, Ward (Osborne, 68’), Hazel (Aderoju, 68’), Rowe (c), Teale, Weston (Coates, 82’), Maguire (Marriott, 82’), Hill, Adshead.

Substitutes: Gregory, Reed, Scott.

Goals: Weston (37’), Rowe (68’), Osborne (70’)

Yellow Cards: Adshead (57’)

Attendance: 368