Gateshead Vs Newcastle Blue Star

Blue Star were drawn against UniBond Premier League club and local rivals Gateshead FC in the Challenge Cup. It was a typical wet & cold North Eastern winter night when the game took place. Gateshead looked in control from the off-set and could have scored the first goal after ten minutes, but fortunately for us the ball sailed past the post.

On the twenty minute mark Gateshead went 1-0 up through Wayne Phillips, who looked confident in the box after jinxing around our defence, then shot past Ryan Smith to score in the bottom right-hand corner. Unfortunately Blue Star let their heads go down and on the half hour mark Alun Armstrong received a straight red card for foul language directed towards the referee.

Two minutes later Gateshead doubled their lead when Steve Salvin headed in from close range. Blue Star were left with a mountain to climb...

Gateshead then managed to find the woodwork and the side netting but Blue Star battled on until half time.

Blue Star came out of the dressing room after half time a different team. They looked full of confidence and fight and started to play fluid football. Gateshead managed to hit the woodwork again but this didn't deter the Star, who later on in the second half managed to hit the woodwork and the side netting themselves. Joe Kendrick made his debut for the Star in the second half and looked lively. Douglas made a nuisance of himself, Novak added some much needed force upfront, and captain Carr as always looked strong at the back.

The game ended 2-0 but, particularly in the second half Star put up a good fight with only ten men against the Premier league team.