Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead continued their resurgence with victory over Wealdstone to move within one point of safety in the Enterprise National League.

The Heed controlled proceedings but had to wait until first half injury time to open the scoring, when Brad Nicholson’s long throw was flicked home by Ash Boatswain.

A clean sheet ensured three points for Rob Elliot’s side, who now sit inside the bottom four only on goal difference with eight games to go.

The Heed took control of possession early on at Gateshead International Stadium though without creating many clear-cut opportunities, as Fenton John and Kenton Richardson both saw efforts go wide in the opening 10 minutes.

The remainder of the first 45 went by with little of note to speak of, though Adam Desbois was called upon to keep a clean sheet when his clearance ricocheted to Sean Adarkwa in the box, before he recovered to smother the following shot.

The breakthrough came in first half injury time via Nicholson’s cannon of a long throw, sailing over all Wealdstone heads before Boatswain’s deft touch guided the ball into the far corner for his first Gateshead goal.

The Heed kept their foot on the accelerator after the half time interval to come close to a second, first as Boatswain nodded wide of the far post from Ben Radcliffe’s lung-bursting run down the right, before Zak Gilsenan headed into Dante Baptiste’s hands from close range.

Elliot’s men kept The Stones quiet for the vast majority of the night, with the closest they came being via Nathan Tshikuna’s strike from distance, which comfortably cleared Desbois’ goal.

A quiet second half came to a close to leave Gateshead on the winning side for the second time in three games at the GIS, and moving level on points with Brackley Town by the end of the night.

Gateshead: Desbois, Radcliffe, Storey, Nicholson, Richardson, Chapman (Anifowose, 72’), Bowen (Chadwick, 72’), John, Ward (Home, 85’), Gilsenan (Ferguson, 85’), Boatswain (Amantchi, 72’).

Substitutes: Butterfield, Moore.

Goals: Boatswain (45+1’)

Yellow Cards: Storey (34’), Richardson (75’), Ward (82’).

Wealdstone: Baptiste, McAvoy (Barrett, 88’), Woodman, Boldewijn, Hutchinson, Agyemang (Olomola, 76’), Spencer (Hinchy, 63’), Tshikuna, Tiensia (Georgiou, 62’), Obiero, Adarkwa (Adu Poku, 63’).

Substitutes: Johnson, Waller.

Yellow Cards: Agyemang (45’), McAvoy (80’)

Attendance: 528 (34 away)