Match Report: Oliver Spark

Ten-man Gateshead fell to a 2-1 defeat against Hartlepool in their midweek match at Victoria Park.

Gateshead travelled down the A19 for a derby match against Hartlepool United on a cold Tuesday night by the coast. The Heed lined up with two changes, with Mark Beck and Fenton John coming into the starting eleven. 

The Heed had the first chance within the opening minute, Fenton John intercepting the ball and driving up the pitch, then combining with Tyrelle Newton before getting the ball back and crossing first time. Levi Amantchi controlled in the box but the ball was taken off his toe before he could get his shot away.

Gateshead had further joy through Newton on the right side, winning a corner through his first-time cross. 

The resulting corner was eyed up by Keaton Ward and his inswinger was met by Louis Storey who fired home to give Gateshead the lead. 

Hartlepool responded well to going behind, working the ball well through the thirds. 

Their two best chances in a promising spell after going behind fell to Luke Charman who first fired over from the edge of the area and his second effort was gathered up by Tiernan Brooks.

Amantchi continued to be a nuisance to Hartlepool’s defence, breaking free in the centre of the pitch and running at two Pools defenders before his effort was blocked. 

At the other end of the pitch Alex Reid had Brooks worried with a low, powerful effort that ultimately swung too far wide of the far post as Hartlepool looked for a leveller. 

Jacob Butterfield had the last say of the first half with a low, hard strike on target that was blocked by a crowd of Hartlepool players. Gateshead left the pitch 0-1 to the good. 

Both teams returned to the Victoria Park pitch unchanged for the second half.

Gateshead had a chance instantly, winning a throw on the left side. Nicholson stepped up and launched it into the box, Beck connected, and the effort was deflected just wide for a corner.

The tempo of the game shifted in Hartlepool’s favour in the 51st minute. The referee deemed goalscorer Storey’s challenge in front of the dugout worthy of a straight red card, and the Heed were down to ten men.

Jacob Butterfield made way for Max Melbourne, followed by a double change of Sam Bowen for Newton then Curtis Edwards for Amantchi. 

Hartlepool’s best chance before the hour mark came from a Jamie Miley pass through to Matty Daley whose effort was narrowly wide of the far post.

The Pools broke free again through Sam Folarin, who picked out Reiss McNally. Nicholson blocked the effort on the line.

Gateshead had their best chance of the half. Billy Chadwick broke free on the right flank and looked to square the ball to Ward but there was just too little on the cross, and the ball was cut out by Miley.

That was Chadwick’s last contribution as he was replaced by Will Flint.

Hartlepool found the equaliser in the 82nd minute as Alex Reid fired low into the bottom corner, after a shot was parried only as far as the striker.

There was a goalmouth scramble in the box after Folarin’s cross and Danny Johnson thought he had the ball in the net, but the referee signalled play on.

In the 89th minute, Hartlepool took the lead after Johnson’s shot fell to Matty Daly, who fired home. 

Seven minutes of added time concluded a second half that was turned on its head by the red card. Gateshead started it as well as they played the whole of the first half, and it was a valiant effort, but their ten men were outplayed by the Pool’s eleven. It finished 2-1. 

Hartlepool lineup: Nick Hayes, Jay Benn (Pharrell Brown 73’), Tom Parkes (c), Max Kouogun, Reiss McNally, Adam Campbell (Matty Daly 57’), Luke Charman, Nathan Sheron, Jack Hunter (Sam Folarin 57’), Jamie Miley (Danny Johnson 79’), Alex Reid

Substitutes: Adam Smith, Nathan Ferguson, Ashley Nathaniel-George

Goals: Alex Reid (81’), Matty Daley (89’)

Gateshead lineup: Tiernan Brooks, David Ferguson (c), Keaton Ward, Jacob Butterfield (Max Melbourne 55’), Tyrelle Newton (Sam Bowen 60’), Levi Amantchi (Curtis Edwards 60’), Mark Beck, Fenton John, Billy Chadwick (Will Flint 77’), Louis Storey, Brad Nicholson

Substitutes: Dom Telford, Josh Home, Ethan Fitzhugh

Goals: Louis Storey (12’)

Yellow Cards: Rob Elliot (40’) 

Red Cards: Louis Storey (51’)

Attendance: 4,243 (226 Gateshead)