United 1
(Jarvis, 70′)
Gateshead 1
(Bailey 75′)
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It was honours even on Saturday, as United and Gateshead played out a 1-1 draw at Plainmoor.
Both goals came during the latter stages of proceedings, with Aaron Jarvis’ opener promptly cancelled out by Owen Bailey.
The Gaffer made three changes to the starting line-up that went down to that unfortunate 1-0 defeat at Barnet last weekend, with Asa Hall, Dillon De Silva and Kieron Evans replacing Tom Lapslie, Ryan Hanson and Will Goodwin.
It was the men in yellow who were most prominent early on, with a superb right-footed delivery from the recalled Evans drifting all the way to Mark Ellis six yards from goal, with visiting goalkeeper James Montgomery producing a marvellous point-blank tip over to prevent the early breakthrough on 6 minutes.
Although the resultant set-piece was initially cleared, the attack was swiftly re-worked, with Stephen Wearne’s foray into the box ending with another goal-saving intervention, as an outstretched boot proved the difference on this occasion, with the on-loan winger letting fly from ten yards.
Continuing in the same vein, De Silva’s pin-point cross from the right wing looked set to pick out Asa Hall at the back stick five minutes later, however the skipper’s header took the merest flicks off a defensive head and bounced just wide – rather than inside – the left post, as United’s search for the opening goal continued.
The substitution of a stricken referee failed to derail the one-way traffic, as the onslaught that began in the second half at The Hive seven days ago continued apace.
Brett McGavin’s corners were giving The Heed backline plenty to think about in the wet conditions, with one particular set-piece in the 23rd minutes so nearly ending up in the back of the net, as a huddle of home and away players combined to see the ball loop up, and then land on the top of the net.
At this stage the visitors were being forced to feed off scraps, with McGavin’s influence on the game nearly prompting a goal twice more before the break.
First, a 41st minute free-kick from 35 yards – dinked by Wearne into his path – saw the former Ipswich schemer drill a ferocious strike low to Montgomery’s goal, which the Gateshead stopper just about dealt with.
Following that, it was McGavin’s flag-kick that found Jarvis almost under the crossbar, with the ball somehow bouncing off the woodwork and away from goal, just as the Yellow Army were set to celebrate it nestling into the back of the net.
Amazingly, it remained all-square at the break.
Reinvigorated by the half-time interval, Johnson’s players appeared determined to press home their territorial advantage by way of goals following the restart, and despite the change of ends, it was more of the same once things got back underway.
In the 53rd minute, a flurry of Torquay corners bookended McGavin’s deflected strike from just outside the 18-yard box, before strikes from acute angles either side of the penalty area saw De Silva force Montgomery to smother his near-post shot after cutting in from the right, and then Wearne’s low cross-shot evading all comers after jinking in from the opposite flank shortly after.
With the wind at their backs, Gateshead were looking more dangerous on their rare counters, however apart from one inviting right-wing cross from Aaron Martin which looped just behind Will Harris, The Gulls’ backline were dealing with everything thrown at them with the minimum of fuss.
Just past the hour mark, a low cross from De Silva was directed perfectly towards Wearne at the near-post, but unfortunately the Sunderland loanee couldn’t keep his strike down, as it cleared the ‘bar, as United’s thirst for a goal intensified.
Johnson’s charges did find the back of the net on 66 minutes, however, moments after De Silva’s headed invitation just eluded Jarvis at point-blank range, the aforementioned player wheeled away after steering home Wearne’s deep cross, before an Assistant’s flag prevented him from receiving the plaudits.
The breakthrough finally came with twenty minutes left.
After taking ownership of the ball on the right touchline, Evans sent a ball into the mixer that had only one possible target. Jarvis, stationed by the penalty spot was only too happy to oblige by applying the finishing touch, as he rose and steered a looping header into the top corner of the net.
1-0 up and delight around Plainmoor. Alas, the joy would last barely five minutes though.
Having been shackled to defend for almost the entirety of the match previously, Mike Williamson’s side were forced to act.
A marvellous one-handed save from Mark Halstead, from Harris’ downward header was almost the United ‘keeper’s first action of the game, and having dealt with the rare test it so well, it was particularly galling that he was powerless to prevent Heed captain Bailey bundling the loose ball home on the goalline, after Torquay’s defenders were caught out by Dan Jarvis’ corner amid an increasingly potent swirling wind.
From then on, either side could have won it, with McGavin cutting in from the left before sending a curler just over the top, before Halstead’s firm hand got down quickly to divert Ward’s 20 yarder round the upright.
The last chance of a winner fell The Gulls’ way as Wearne’s corner was met by Ellis’s downward header, but once again their luck was out, as it bounced across a crowded six-yard box via a defensive challenge, and away from goal by the slimmest of margins.
A point apiece.
United: 1. Mark Halstead, 8. Asa Hall (c), 9. Aaron Jarvis, 11. Kieron Evans, 12. Stephen Wearne, 14. Brett McGavin (7. Ryan Hanson, 83′), 16. Shaun Donnellan 21. Dean Moxey, 26. Lucas Ness, 27. Dillon De Silva, 35. Mark Ellis.
SUBS NOT USED: 22. Rhys Lovett, 2. Dylan Crowe, 5. Ali Omar, 23. Ollie Tomlinson.
Yellow Cards: Donnellan 10′
Gateshead: 31. James Montgomery, 3. Ethan Pye, 5. Kenton Richardson, 8. Owen Bailey (c), 12. Dan Ward, 14. Elliot Forbes, 15. Aaron Martin, 19. Will Harris (Owen Gallacher 85), 29. Conor Carty (4. Dan Jarvis, 73′), 32. Carl Magnay, 42. Kamil Conteh.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Daniel Langley, 6. Louis Storey, 20. Lirak Hasani.
Yellow Cards: Magnay 77′, Conteh 89′
Attendance: 1,809 (27 away)