The match started brightly, with Blyth getting stuck in and not letting Gateshead players push forward. The first chance fell to Craig Perry but he failed to get any real power behind the shot and Swan made a good save. The first have was a dull affair with both teams failing to produce a telling final ball, Blyth in particular were guilty of gifting Gateshead the ball on several occasions. There was little chance for frontmen Robson and Perry to capitalise for Blyth as they were left to work on a few long passes. The match came into life just before half time when Gilmore completely missed a cross and Thompson prodded the ball into the empty net.

Half time: Gateshead 1 Blyth 0

The second half saw Andy Martin come on to replace ex-Gateshead man Graham Pepper. However, Martin was not on the pitch for more than 15 minutes. He chopped down a Gateshead player with a raised boot, and was rightly shown the red card by the referee. Five minutes earlier Glen Robson had levelled for Blyth, slotting home a left wing cross, giving Swan no chance. While this sparked outrage with the Blyth players, on reflection it has to be said it was a stupid and unnecessary challenge. Soon after Gateshead were also down to ten men when Rob Jones tripped then stamped on Blyth scorer Robson. Had the referee stopped the game for two previous fouls by Gateshead defenders then the whole fracas which followed may never had occurred. Both sides came close in the closing stages but without any real menace and seemed intent on holding firm for a draw. In the end it was all either side deserved.

Full time: Gateshead 1 Blyth 1

The referee and linesmen were disgraceful, letting some blatant decisions go, at one stage the ref and liner looked at each other not knowing which way to give a throw and just guessed. And how did he miss the handballs by Agnew and Preen? I pray an assessor was in the crowd and we never see him again.

One point of interest: after all the build-up regarding ‘dodgy’ Adrian Swan, it was clear on the night that Blyth really do need a stronger, more experienced keeper, he seems to be the weak link in our defence.

A good crowd of about 700 were in attendance approx. half Blyth half Gateshead.

Wasn't the ref tonight waste? totally like what ever (sorry I'm watching an american teen film). Anyway if you want to read my views on the match go to www.geocities.com/fcgateshead I've tried to be a less bias as i can being fair to all players concerned.

They were the biggest joke I have ever seen. One of the assistants needs training on the off-side rule. He kept flagging when a forward was either level or behind the defence, but didn't flag when a player was actually off-side, the latter error lead to the equalizing goal.
Recently the media have slated Ellery and Winter for their performances in the last few days, Sky should come and see what we have to put up woth, week-in, week-out.

Having read your report (is that your site Al? It's not bad at all) I'd agree with all you said except the second red card. Jones appeared to at first trip over Robson as you say, but he definitely stuck a boot in after the initial trip. It happened very quickly and while a red card was right, I can't help feeling that the ref wasn't so sure.

As for both teams' chances this year, let's just say there'll have to be an improvement. Play in the final third from both teams was pretty poor. I also had a suspicion that Robson was offside for the goal, just minutes after being flagged offside for being level with one player and ahead of another.

I think Jones should have been sent off too but i've been asked by the club not to slag off any of the players. I do the website with my fiance (well she did it and i tell her what to put on mostly) but the website stands as an official one.