Match Report: Oliver Spark

Gateshead fell to a 0-2 defeat against Walsall despite fighting back well in their FA Cup second-round fixture.

Gateshead lined up under the lights at a very wet GIS as they looked to cause an upset and reach their first third-round tie since the 2014/15 season. The Heed lined up with three changes: Max Melbourne, Dom Telford and Jacob Butterfield making way for Ben Williams, Curtis Edwards and Fenton John.  

Gateshead started brightly, winning a free kick in the first minute after a move on the right flank. The wall dealt with David Ferguson’s effort. Minutes later, Tiernan Brooks’ searching long ball was close to being brought under Kain Adom’s control, but was just too long for the winger.  

In the sixth minute, Walsall got their first chance of the match, Daniel Kanu breaking into space but ultimately firing a weak shot that was comfortable for Brooks. Soon after, Walsall’s Ryan Finnigan broke free in the box and fired low across the six-yard box, but their number nine Jamille Matt couldn’t direct his flick goalwards.  

In the tenth minute, Brooks once again launched the ball deep into the Walsall half, this time with a throw. Adom was again the man running onto it, but was challenged by a Walsall defender and the ball went out for a corner. Myles Roberts caught the corner kick and regained possession for Walsall.  

Gateshead got joy by pressing high up the pitch, Kian Pennant winning a corner as he ran the length of the Walsall half to challenge. Walsall got another chance in the 18th minute as Aden Flint was left unmarked but put his header over the bar.  

After a very even game, Walsall were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute as the referee pointed to the spot after a challenge by Kenton Richardson on Ryan Finnigan. Penalty taker Daniel Kanu dispatched his spot kick into the left corner to give Walsall the lead.  

Gateshead didn’t let their heads drop and continued to press high and use both wings. Pennant was a constant threat up top and linked both sides well, Fergurson used the space created to whip a cross in in the 30th minute but was blocked for a corner.  

In the 37th minute, Adom won a free kick in a similar position to that of the first minute. Fenton John dinked it in from thirty yards but couldn’t avoid Roberts in the Walsall goal.  

Edwards won possession from a Walsall corner and used expectational technique to send Pennant on his way. A challenge on the winger in the box was ruled not enough for a foul, and the ball went out for a corner that the Saddlers defended well.  

Walsall had a chance in the 43rd minute, resulting in a shot that Brooks saved comfortably.  

At the other end, Pennant had Gateshead’s last shot of the half bobble narrowly past the far post. 

The last action was a Walsall shot that landed safely again in Brooks’ hands. That concluded a half that showed Gateshead at their best, certainly after the penalty. The Heed had over 75% possession and broke the lines excellently but without finding the leveller.  

Both teams came out unchanged under the rain at the GIS. Play was immediately halted as Walsall’s Jid Okeke was caught and stayed down for a lengthy period. When play resumed, it was with a free kick that was whipped in by Evan Weir and met by Aden Flint, who nodded home to double the advantage for Walsall.  

The match was quiet after the second Walsall goal. In the 61st minute, Alun Armstrong made changes in hopes of refreshing his front line. Dom Telford and Frank Nouble replaced Kyle Hurst and Curtis Edwards respectively.  

Nouble immediately linked up with Adom on the right, and the striker chipped in a cross that narrowly missed the Heed’s forward line.  

Fenton John had a shot on target that was powerful enough to test Roberts, but ultimately straight at the Walsall keeper. The Heed kept looking for a way back.  

Two more substitutions for the Heed came on the 72nd minute, Ben Williams and Josh Home making way for Tyrelle Newton and Ibrahim Bakare.  

Very few chances came during this spell of the match. Walsall worked the ball well on the edge of the area, with it finally dropping to Jamie Jellis, who ran in for a shot that thundered wide of the near post.  

Telford took his chance on the edge of the area, cutting inside twice, then letting fly on a shot that was deflected twice and bobbled wide for a corner.  

After six minutes of added time, the referee called time on the match and on Gateshead’s FA Cup campaign. The home side responded well and played some excellent football after Walsall’s first goal, but ultimately weren’t able to find a way back. The second half was a flatter affair and saw Walsall press home their advantage. It ended 0-2 on Tyneside.  

Attendance: 1606 (496 away)

Gateshead lineup: Tiernan Brooks, Aidan Elliott-Wheeler, Kenton Richardson (C) (Jacob Butterfield 90’), Ben Williams (Ibrahim Bakare 73’), David Fergurson, Fenton John, Josh Home (Tyrelle Newton 73’), Curtis Edwards (Frank Nouble 61’), Kain Adom, Kyle Hurst (Dom Telford 61’), Kian Pennant 

Substitutes (unused): Preston Leech, Will Flint, Joe Grayson, Callum Bone 

Yellows: David Ferguson 46’ 

Walsall Lineup: Myles Roberts, Connor Barrett, Aden Flint, Priestley Farquharson, Jamille Matt (Jamie Jellis 64’), Brandon Comley, Jid Okeke (Vincent Harper 51’), Daniel Kanu (Kemar Roofe 73’), Courtney Clarke (Charlie Lakin 73’), Ryan Finnigan (Albert Adomah 64’), Evan Weir 

Substitutes (unused): Sam Hornby, Lewis Warrington, Rico Richards, Rico Browne 

Goals: Daniel Kanu 25’ (P), Aden Flint 49’,  

Yellows: Courtney Clarke 69’, Brandon Comley 72’, Evan Weir 73’ 

Attendance: 1,608 (496 away)