Match Report: Brandon Bland

Gateshead Ladies 1 – 5 South Shields Women

South Shields started strong as they went ahead in the 5th minute after the referee awarded them a penalty. Gatens converted from the spot for Shields.

Salmon was called into action multiple times in the first half, she pulled off some amazing saves to stop Shields taking more of a lead. Shields broke through the Gateshead defence but Salmon, using her legs, kept it out the back of the net.

Gateshead were trying to get back into the game with Pickering driving forward and winning multiple free-kicks after being fouled by the opposition many times. Halliday delivered the ball from the free kick straight on top of the keeper but unfortunately nobody could get a tap to put it in the back of the net. Gateshead had their first major opportunity in the 27th minute as they hit the post. The girls weren’t giving up!

Shields had another chance to add another to their tally but the Shields attacker put one over the bar only from a couple yards out. Half time came around and it was one-nil to Shields at the break.

Gateshead done well to hold off Shields until the 59th minute when Shields scored their second goal of the game. Gatens played the ball into Greener and she slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Gateshead got their first goal of the game in the 67th minute as Chatham fired a long range free kick towards goal, it smashed the cross bar and the trials was there to head it into the back of the net. What an impression for the young trialist!

Gateshead were pushing Shields and causing issues but Shields bounced back, adding to their tally in the 78th minute as Gatens scores her second goal of the game for Shields. Gatens got her hat-trick in the 88th minute as Shields went on to lead four-one against Gateshead.

Just before the final whistle, Greener scored another for Shields, finishing the game five-one to South Shields Women.

Grid Murray was given player of the match by the opposing manager.

We would like to thank South Shields Women for hosting this pre-season friendly and wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

After the game we spoke to Assistant Manager, Hugo Djassi and here is what he had to say with the Ladies first pre-season game out of the way:

“Today was all about trying new things such as formations and tactics, I do feel good about the way the players performed and adapted to the changes. There is still a bit of learning to do in training and we also need to focus on fitness to make sure the Ladies are ready for the start of the season.”

“It was a really huge test for us today against a really strong side. We knew before the game it was going to be a big test and we turned up for it and gave them a challenge. The score didn’t reflect the game. It was a physical test and we got stuck in there.”

“The players especially the new players we’ve brought in over the summer took in information really well, some of the new players had only two training sessions with us prior to todays game. They grew into the game once we started to get going and they look good, they ask questions and you can tell they want to learn.”