Match Report: Gateshead FC

Gateshead suffered a tough defeat at Stafford Rangers on Tuesday night, losing 5-0 in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round qualifying.

Stafford, from the Northern Premier League West Division, were impressive as they fired five past a bewildered Heed side.

The teams met on Saturday afternoon at the International Stadium, with a 1-1 draw scheduling a replay in midweek. A home fixture against Grimsby Town awaited the winner.

Gateshead’s caretaker manager Ben Clark made three changes from the weekend. Rocco Coyle, Sam Bowen and former Stafford loanee Harrison Holgate were called into the starting 11.

Graham Deakin, meanwhile, made one change for the replay as former Tamworth veteran Tom Tonks replaced Ty Webster in the Stafford midfield.

Much like Saturday’s game in the North East, there was early chaos at the Stan Robinson Stadium with Stafford taking the lead on five minutes.

Darrhyl Mason crossed into the danger zone where Rangers striker Scott Bakkor fired home in front of a sold-out home crowd.

The Heed almost levelled up instantly, but Ash Boatswain’s strike was ruled out by the linesman’s flag.

Gateshead keeper Pete Jameson pulled off an excellent save to deny Mitch Clarke on 11 minutes, but Stafford eventually scored a second with 32 on the clock.

Joe Dunne crossed into the Gateshead box, which Andy Burns headed across goal for Mason to slam home at close-range.

Michael Spellman almost pulled one back before the break, hitting the bar with a deflected strike, but The Heed found themselves 2-0 down at the half-time whistle.

There were two Gateshead substitutions at the break, with Fenton John and Freddie Issaka being introduced, but that didn’t slow Stafford’s momentum.

Rangers made it three with Clarke getting on the scoresheet, finishing past Jameson at the back post on 51 minutes.

Moments later, Jameson made a great stop against Bebeto Gomes, but Jack Birch’s resulting corner was converted by Dunne for Stafford’s fourth.

Gomes then won a penalty on 67 minutes, which Birch placed into the bottom corner to make it 5-0 to the hosts.

Stafford managed the closing stages well, seeing out the five-goal victory on home soil. They face Grimsby Town in the first round proper of the Emirates FA Cup.

Stafford Rangers: Phillips, Gomes, Dunne, Ferrier, Burns (Washington 89’), Tonks (Thompson 90’), Bakkor (Da Silva 85’), Birch (Sambor 70’), Mason (Webster 78’), Clarke, Efunnuga

Subs (not used): Saunders, Chimenes

Goals: Bakkor (5’), Mason (32’), Clarke (51’), Dunne (57’), Birch (pen, 68’)

Gateshead: Jameson, Lavery, Holgate (Issaka 46’), David Ferguson, Robinson, Coyle, Home (John 46’), Bowen (Lankshear 58’), Chapman (Chadwick 69’), Spellman, Boatswain (Eguaibor 64’)

Yellow Cards: Lavery (59′), Eguaibor (83′)

Subs (not used): Douglas, Hiwula.

Attendance: 3,130