UniBond league - Double is a boost in chase for play-offs

Mar 25 2008 The Journal

Ossett Town 0 Gateshead 3

GATESHEAD completed an Easter double, following up Friday’s 3-0 victory over Kendal Town with a victory over Ossett Town by the same margin in yesterday’s UniBond League Premier Division game.

The six points gathered keeps the Tynesiders third-top and in with a great chance of claiming one of the play-off places.

Ian Bogie’s side could hardly have made a better start in West Yorkshire, taking the lead after just 18 seconds.

The home side kicked off but the former York City player Paul Brayson soon intercepted the ball and made a lovely pass over the top of the home defence. Wayne Phillips was quick to react and gave goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge no chance with his clinical finish from 15 yards.

They doubled the advantage on 18 minutes when Kris Gate held off a challenge from two defenders and played in Craig Baxter whose drive from 15 yards flashed into the net off the inside of a post.

Gateshead just about wrapped up three crucial points six minutes into the second period. A good move involving Brayson and Steve Bowey ended with Phillips side-footing into goal from just two yards.

Goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite made an excellent save from Ossett’s Craig Hall but Gateshead were never seriously threatened and had chances late in the game to win by a bigger margin.

Gate set up Brayson, who was one-on-one, but Hedge came to Ossett’s rescue and, shortly afterwards, Brayson fired over from close range following a goalmouth scramble.

This was another excellent performance by Bogie’s side which stands them in good stead for a hectic and demanding end to the season.

Radcliffe Borough 3 Newcastle Blue Star 4

PAUL Baker celebrated his first success as caretaker manager of Newcastle Blue Star but it proved to be a tight encounter at Radcliffe Borough despite the Tynesiders leading by three goals at one point, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

Mark Sheeran fired them in front after 10 minutes with a brilliant volley following a cross by David McTiernan, who then got in on the scoring act, slotting home after dribbling 25 yards past defenders.

McTiernan was again the provider for Sheeran who was left with an easy tap-in at the back post but just before the interval, bottom-of-the-table Radcliffe began their fightback.

Stephen Houson was on target and only a brilliant save from goalkeeper Dan Lowson kept a rampant home side at bay early in the second period.

Lowson though was powerless to prevent Houson scoring for the second time and Blue Star were rocked six minutes from the end as Michael Oakes equalised.

It appeared Baker’s side had thrown away the points but deep into stoppage time McTiernan was brought down and Sheeran completed a super hat-trick from the penalty spot.

GATESHEAD: Musselwhite, Baxter, Cave (Talbot), Bowey, Curtis, Jones, Brayson, Gate (Harwood), Armstrong (Southern), Turnbull, Phillips.

NEWCASTLE BLUE STAR: Lowson, Birch, Scott, Carr, Gordon, Hooks, McTiernan, McGlen (Davies), Sheeran, Emms, Webster (McCleod).