Match Report: Will Brown

Gateshead earned a point on home soil against Solihull Moors with a hard-fought performance.

A horror own goal from Ben Coker was enough to give Gateshead the lead. But Solihull eventually broke down the Heed defence to get the equaliser when Alex Gudger slotted home a loose ball in the box.

Gateshead were in for a challenge if they were to beat an in-form Solihull side who were up to third in the League. However, all the “Moors” three defeats this season have been on the road which gave the 839 home fans some optimism which could be heard from the stands.

Both sides looked reluctant to put bodies forward and attack, it took a miscommunication between Ryan Boot and Ben Coker for there to be an opener in the ninth minute, Coker’s back pass was not controlled by Boot which allowed Gateshead

The next chance of the game fell to Gateshead in the 20^th minute, Dan Ward played a a through ball to Adam Campbell who powered towards the Solihull defence before he unleashed a low-driven shot from just outside the box which was spilled by Boot initially but did manage to save Adi Yussuf follow up attempt.

Realising the danger Gateshead were becoming, Solihull started to up their tempo and had their first shot on target in the 28^th minute, a failed clearance from the Heed defence allowed Alex Reid to shoot from a tight angle which hit the bar.

Three minute later Solihull had hit the woodwork again, once again a Gateshead clearance landed just outside the box which Joe Sbarra picked up before he whipped a shot onto the crossbar.

In the 37^th minute Ben Coker was close to making amends with his earlier mistake which resulted in Gateshead taking the lead, Coker’s dipped free-kick from just outside the box went on to clip the outside of the post.

The second-half began and Gateshead came straight at Solihull looking for their second, Adi Yusuf played a reverse pass back to Lirak Hasani who then played a ball out wide to Aaron Martin who’s shot didn’t have enough on it to beat Boot.

Gateshead constant pressing of the Solihull defence nearly resulted in goal in the 70^th minute, Arron Martin nicked the ball from Kyle Storer which allowed Martin to be in on goal, but Fiacre Kelleher made a great recovery to block Martin’s shot to keep Solihull in it.

Solihull managed to get an equaliser in the 83^rd minute, a looped ball from outside was not cleared and Alex Gudger was unmarked to finish well.

In the 85^th minute Gateshead looked destined to get the winner, Martin was played in but his touch let him down and Boot was able to rush out and make a save.

Gateshead’s counter-attacks were proving deadly and once again had a golden opportunity to score deep in added time, Martin through ball found Will Harris who skipped past the defence but his shot let him down which was fired over the bar.

Gateshead: Montgomery, Magnay, Richardson, Pye, Daley (Martin, 53′), Conteh, Hasani, Ward, Campbell, Gallacher (Harris, 81′), Yussuf (Jarvis, 65′).

Goal: Coker (O.G) (9’)  

Solihull Moors: Boot, Clarke, Coker, Storer, Gudger, Sbarra, Barnett, Kelleher, Reid (Dallas, 60′), Whelan (Maycock, 70′), Parsons (Kelly, 60′).

Goal: Gudger (83’)

Attendance: 907 (68 away)