Match Details
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Gateshead
Harrogate Town
Gateshead host Harrogate Town in the final home fixture of pre-season at Gateshead International Stadium on Tuesday, July 25 (7:30pm kick off).
The Heed have taken two goal leads in both of the previous friendlies on home soil, albeit ultimately succumbing to 3-2 defeats against neighbours Sunderland and Newcastle United.
Mike Williamson’s side face two more fixtures ahead of the season opener at home to Boreham Wood on August 5, with a short trip to South Shields next up after a tough test against League Two opposition in the form of Harrogate.
Simon Weaver’s side will arrive with a familiar face in tow in Luke Armstrong, who scored 11 goals in 21 games while on loan with Gateshead in 2018.
The forward netted four goals in his side’s 6-1 win away to South Shields last Saturday, following on from a solitary strike in a 2-0 victory at Darlington one week prior.
Armstrong was Harrogate’s top scorer last term, netting 16 goals as his side finished the 2022/23 League Two season in 19th place.
Heed View
“We want to get into those good habits of winning football matches, which is the most difficult thing to do,” said midfielder, Ed Francis.
“As much as it is a pre-season game, we want to win, do the right things, test ourselves and go from there.”
Opposition View
“I’m looking forward to another good challenge,” said Harrogate boss, Simon Weaver.
“I think Gateshead are shaping up to be a very good team this season.
“They’ll be strong and pass it about very well indeed, so it will be a tough test that’s for sure.”
Ticketing Information
Adult: £15
Concession (65+, Blue Light, Armed Forces (serving and veteran)): £10
17 & under: £5
Carer: Free (proof of entitlement required)
Turnstiles will open to all supporters at 6:15pm.
Our match day programme, HeedLines, will be available to purchase for £3 per copy.
Gateshead defeated League Two opponents Harrogate Town on a torrential Tuesday night at Gateshead International Stadium in pre-season.
Goals from Jordan Hunter and a trialist in the last 15 minutes meant The Heed’s penultimate friendly ended with a win.
The opening stages of the game lacked much action, with Gateshead skipper Greg Olley mildly testing Lewis Thomas at the front post on 20 minutes following Connor Pani’s ball.
A defensive mishap by The Heed gave Harrogate a prime opportunity to open the scoring on 33 minutes but Jack Muldoon dragged his effort past the far post.
Opening the second half, Olley smashed a shot which Wayne Burrell blocked high inside the box, but referee Andrew Kitchen waved away Gateshead protests for a handball.
At the other end on 53 minutes, Regan Booty lost possession to Matty Daly before Abraham Odoh went through on goal and fired wide of the mark for the visitors.
Mike Williamson’s side carved out a chance after an exciting passage of play on 71 minutes, when a blocked shot came out for Ed Francis to smash over the crossbar from long range.
The Heed broke the deadlock on 75 minutes as fresh substitute Oli Thompson curled a strike towards the top corner and, despite Thomas saving at full stretch, Marcus Dinanga picked up the rebound before Hunter buried home.
That goal elevated the game into life as Matty Foulds had an opportunity to equalise for Harrogate moments later, though his 25-yard volley soared over.
On the 80 minute mark, Gateshead doubled their advantage after a trailist met Lirak Hasani’s corner on the volley, swinging his effort past a rooted Thomas in goal.
Again, Simon Weaver’s outfit created a chance straight from kick-off with summer signing Dean Cornelius drilling a shot off target from distance.
In frantic fashion seconds later, Gateshead drove forward through Oli Thompson and a different trialist on the right wing stung the gloves of Thomas.
The last chance of the game came Harrogate’s way as Odoh drove a shot destined for the bottom corner, but the leg of Carl Magnay prevented a late consolation.
Gateshead: Mair, Tinkler, Richardson (Magnay, 73’), Storey, Hunter (Trialist 78’), Pani, Booty (Forbes, 73’), Francis (Hasani, 73’), Wearne (Oli Thompson, 73’), Olley (Trialist, 64’), Rutledge (Dinanga, 64’)
Substitutes: Trialist
Goals: Hunter (75’), Trialist (81’)
Harrogate Town: Thomas, Falkingham (Horbury, 87’), Burrell, Cornelius, Odoh, Daly (George Thompson, 69’), Folarin (Armstrong, 64’), O’Connor, Muldoon, Ramsay, Gibson (Foulds, 46’)
Substitutes: Oxley, Mattock, Smith, Ilesamni, Wilson, O’Boyle
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