Arrived just after kick off, but really enjoyed the first half. First goal by Garcia, assist by Jay Simpson, who i thought had a decent first half. Jay was full of running, looked sharp and should have scored two but for some excellent goal keeping from the Gateshead keeper Paul Farman Second goal courtesy of Hope Akpan, very powerful header skimming just under the bar from a corner if i remember rightly. Well taken too, lost his marker & got in front of the mid goal defender, looks a handful at set pieces. Did alright tonight, a bit of a rough diamond i think but with NP & Shakey working with him i think he might be a bargain if we get him from the Toffee's. Didn't watch the whole of the second half, but Gateshead didn't offer much of a threat on goal. Couple of good crosses in the first half, their centre forward was a bit of a handful until booked for un sporting behaviour. They were playing a much more solid 4 4 2 in the second half & where making some headway for the forst 10 minutes or so, then faded a bit. Couple of new guys i have never seen before Roarie Deacon looks a good prospect very comfortable on the ball, made a few good runs down the left too. David Amoo had a good game i thought, very very quick down the right, caused their defence no end of problems. Richard Garcia had a better game than the last reserve run out i saw him play. Looks much fitter than last time, couple of good layoffs during the game. Well taken goal, although a tap in really had to make up a lot of ground to get there. Jamie Devitt played well but tries to be too accurate at times which cost us a couple of chances at goal tonight. Not a criticism but the odd quicker ball could have caused them no end of problems. Team tonight was 1 Joe Cracknell 2 Daniel East 3 Danny Deagle 4 Hope Akpan 5 Daniel Wilkinson 6 Sonny Bradley 7 David Amoo 8 Jamie Devitt 9 Jay Simpson 10 Richard Garcia 11 Roarie Deacon 12 Billy Ward (GK) 14 Mark Cullen 15 Gavan Holohan 16 Joe Fox 17 Daniel Emerton Both NP & Shakespear were there for the first half, must have been going out on the hoy both looked ready to go to a night club. UTT CTID
"Both NP & Shakespear were there for the first half, must have been going out on the hoy both looked ready to go to a night club." probly off to tap a player up,transfer window shuts tomorrow
Agree on Deacon, he did look a decent prospect and was pleasently suprised as i had not seen or evan heard his name been mentioned before. Simpson should have scored yet skyed it over from what must have been 2 yards out. Akpan looked very assured on the ball sitting just in front of the back four, and Devitt looks a different player when given the time on the ball he got tonight. I know now why my Grimsby friends were so sad to see him go.
Oh god, he's obviously seen Harper in the side every week and thinks playing like him is going to get him in the side as well.
Haha you're maybe right. Being a Simpson fan i really felt for him too. Me and a friend were looking back at when WBA played us in the premier league and Simpson seemed such a threat for defenders. Im sure he'll get back to scoring ways.
