GATESHEAD v CHELMSFORD CITY

FA Cup 1st Round

Round one in the FA Cup usually requires doing a bit of mileage, so not for the first time A Good Cup Run heads to the International Stadium for what has become an annual visit. Today Gateshead of the National League entertain Chelmsford City, one step down in the pyramid, but doing well in, the National League South.

It is bright and sunny, but cool, particularly in the home grandstand facing north. The visiting fans, a hundred or so, at least get the last of the late afternoon sun but balance that benefit of warmth against having to squint a bit at the action. There cannot be another non-league ground where fans are so segregated, separated not only by the width of the pitch but also sixteen lanes of running track, two jumping pits (long jump and pole vault), as well as about forty rows of unoccupied seats with both sets of fans preferring to watch from on high.

After an early half chance at each end the game settles to a cagey twenty minute period with Gateshead edging possession but with little outcome. Then they execute a short corner routine that gives midfielder Russell Penn a shooting chance; keeper Samuel Beasant (Dave’s son) parries and centre half Neill Byrne hooks the loose ball over the bar from close in.

There then follows a sustained spell of Chelmsford pressure that Gateshead survive well. Not only that but when they do emerge up field a quick free kick gives winger Wes York space to cross and find the head of Jordan Burrow; the striker plants a neat header in at the near post to give the home team a lead on the half hour.

Chelmsford continue to concede needless free kicks in their own half and from one of these Penn overlaps the defensive wall, receives the ball unchallenged and passes infield to Danny Johnson. He controls the ball, swivels and drives a fine shot in off the far post. Two up Gateshead look comfortable, and it’s nearly three when Paddy McLaughlin fires in a shot from range that needs a good save to push it round the post.

It is hard on half time before Chelmsford really threaten. Chris Dickson is put through on goal but chooses to shoot early and, as it turns out, well wide.

The visitors up their tempo in the second half and get the first strike on goal when centre half Michael Spillaine, up for a corner, screws a shot across the six yard box to which no colleague can apply the finishing touch. Chelmsford’s potential potency increases further when substitute Shaun Batt comes on to add his experience and height to the cause. He immediately connects with a header in the box and later strikes an angled drive but neither pay dividends.

Time is progressing and Gateshead seem content to fall back and defend, which they do confidently and effectively. One scare occurs when a free kick is curled dangerously into the box and keeper James Montgomery uncertainly shuffles it round the post for a corner. He makes up for that by calmly claiming the corner kick under pressure.

It is well into the final ten minutes before Gateshead show anything more in attack, but then it is a quality inter-passing move down the right that frees Johnson to run into the box and shoot. The net ripples, but only on the outside.

Chelmsford never give up and with two minutes to go full back Craig Barrett strikes a free kick that requires Montgomery to alertly palm past the post. The corner amounts to nothing, and neither does anything else as Gateshead see the game out.

So The Heed are into the next round and subject to the draw there may need to be a second visit to the International Stadium this year.