Gateshead 2 Winsford Utd 0

UniBond Premier

Saturday, October 23

By ANDY MAYLOR

ANOTHER defeat it was, but a little light could be shining at the tunnel's end following this disciplined performance which should have earned Blues a point.

The general consensus of opinion, not only from the Winsford camp but also those of the hosts, was that this was a much improved performance to the one United served up in the FA Cup defeat earlier in this traumatic season.

Kevin Tully plyed a 3-5-2 formtion to stifle the Gateshead midfield which carved Winsford up in the cup game. The plan nearly worked and the closeness of the game only ended when an injury time penalty gave the scoreline a false look.

Tully had demanded his team show total commitment and the players did not let him down. "We looked a lot stronger today but we have to keep this up and improve," he said.

The worrying aspect here was the forward line which, shorn of Mike Turner and Lee Jones, lacked the physical presence needed in the UniBond Premier League. Even so, the duo of Graham Brindley and Gareth Chadwick both should have scored.

Chadwick headed over from close range with the goal at his mercy, while Brindley shot over with just the keeper to beat.

United had dealt with some Gateshead attacks well, but for one error from captain Paul Wheeler on 33 minutes.

Wheeler was flung in at centre half, and allowed Steve Preen to get in behind him. Preen squared the ball and Richie Alderson, in acres of space, had the simple job of beating Chris Knowles from 10 yards.

The respectable scoreline lasted deep into injury time when Steve Bowey raced clear from the defence and was brought down by Lee Coathup.

The ball ended up in the net but referee Colin Bainbridge gave the penalty and Bowey himself converted, while Coathup was lucky to stay on the field.

The verdict is this was a better performance, which gives United some hope to rescue what is looking like an impossible situation with every passing week.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.