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Career Gateshead in Europe: First K/O Round v Spartak Moscow


samhardy
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  • Europa League Matchday 1
  • 19th September 2019
  • Gateshead v Zenit - Att: 11,627
  • International Stadium, Gateshead

Line-ups

Gateshead: Eastwood, Bennett, Sibbick, Isherwood, Harvie, Paton (c), Adshead, Thomson, Bates, Redmond, Hinchcliffe.

Zenit: Kerzhakov, Ivanovic, Anyukov (c), Mammana, Smolnikov, Kranevitter, Marchisio, Shatov, Driussi, Kokorin, Dyzuba.

 

If there was any doubt about the size of the task awaiting Gateshead in this group then it was quickly becoming real as just a brief scan down the team sheet revealed some big names in the opposition squad. The bookies were offering odds as short as 1/6 on the visitors emerging victorious and it was hard to make a case at all for the League 2 side, who had decided to keep the faith with the players who got them there for the opener.

The International Stadium was packed to the rafters including some mad bastards from Russia and as soon as the ref blew his whistle to start the game the atmosphere was electric.

It took just 3 minutes for Zenit to sting the palms of Jake Eastwood in the Gateshead goal, some neat play in the middle resulted in playmaker Oleg Shatov letting loose a piledriver which tested the keeper but the test was passed as he grabbed without much fuss. A quarter of an hour later and it was becoming one way traffic, 72% possession for the visitors but no real "clear cut chances". Despite this it still felt only a matter of time.

But on the half hour mark bedlam nearly ensued around the stadium as Connor Thomson won a corner for the hosts which new signing Toby Sibbick headed narrowly over in what was arguably the chance of the game so far. They were made to pay just a matter of minutes later though as a foul just outside the area led to a neat free kick by former Premier League star Branislav Ivanovic which left Eastwood rooted to the spot. A deserved goal but still a hard one to take.

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The lead was very nearly doubled just before the break as Paul Paton gave the ball away in the centre circle and the Russians launched a savage counter attack which resulted in Sebastian Driussi rounding Eastwood but the angle was too narrow and he fired into the side netting.

Half Time - Gateshead 0-1 Zenit: Ivanovic 34

There were no changes at the break for Gateshead but it only took 5 or so minutes for "Sam" to roll the dice unleashing Jordan Gibson and Tom White for Devonte Redmond and Alfie Bates in a bid to add more pace and to sure up the midfield.

Another five minutes ticked by without much action but as the clock ticked round to the hour mark Gateshead had just enjoyed their best spell of the match. White fired one wide from outside the area, Daniel Adshead mis-controlled in the box where he had a potential opportunity and a couple of corners came to nothing.

However, the phrase "score when you're on top" really summed this up as they failed to do so; Zenit didn't. Shatov was starting to become a bit of a thorn in the hosts' sides as he sent a ball out wide to Driussi who had Daniel Harvie's life on the wing, sent a low ball into the box for Artem Dyzuba who swept in with his right foot to double the visitors' advantage.

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That really sucked the life out of Gateshead and from this point onwards they ran out of legs, Zenit had won the midfield battle throughout with Kranevitter and Claudio Marchisio particularly standing out.

The aforementioned Marchisio rattled the bar with a quarter of an hour left, Gateshead's highlight from then in was a penalty shout which the ref wasn't remotely interested in. It was more than comfortable for Zenit and you get the feeling they could have added more if they really wanted to.

It was a harsh lesson for Gateshead on their European debut and it was the classy Russian outfit who left the North East of England with the 3 points.

Full Time - Gateshead 0-2 Zenit: Ivanovic 34, Dyzuba 60.

A win for Partizan in the other game left Group L looking like this:

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Next up for Gateshead will be a trip to the Czech Republic to take on Slavia Prague in a game they really can't afford to lose.

--

Hope you enjoyed and thanks to @Foxy for the stunning fucking graphics.

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Shame about the result but what a fantastic sight to see the mighty Gateshead tackle European footy.

Good luck in the next one mate.

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Good read that. I think you have a chance against the other teams. Gonna be a challenge to qualify but you never know and good luck!

I had noticed the quality graphics all over this site. I assume @Foxy is responsible for most of them!

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3 hours ago, samhardy said:
  • Next up for Gateshead will be a trip to Serbia to take on Slavia Prague in a game they really can't afford to lose.

an odd place to travel to when taking on a team from the Czech capital :D

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  • Europa League Matchday 2
  • 3rd October 2019
  • Slavia Prague v Gateshead - Att: 19,997
  • Eden Aréna, Prague

Line-ups

Slavia Prague: Kolar, Coufal, Kudela, Boril, Zmrhal, Stoch, Ngadeu-Ngadjui (c), Pavlenka, Husbauer, Skalak, Skoda.

Gateshead: Eastwood, Bennett, Sibbick, Isherwood, Paton (c), Adshead, Gibson, Olley, Redmond, Hinchcliffe.

 

A crucial clash between the two teams in the group who lost their first fixture. It was accepted by everyone connected to Gateshead that they didn't come away from this match defeated otherwise qualifying would begin to turn into a task not dissimilar to pushing custard uphill with a fork.

The stadium situated in the Czech capital is relatively small for a European outfit, with a capacity of just under 21,000 but it was still much bigger than what Gateshead were used to and there was another banging atmosphere ahead of this one with the 700 Gateshead fans locked up in a cage in the corner making the most of it.

Jordan Gibson and Greg Olley came in for Conor Thomson and Alfie Bates for this one and it was Olley who had the first chance of the game after just a minute. A resolute Slavia defence meant the move wasn't really going anywhere, restricting Olley to a fizzing strike from just outside the area that went just wide of the post. But if that was seen as a good start then it very quickly took a turn for the worse and there was very little the L2 side could do about it. A long throw in from the right was scrambled away by Gateshead, straight to the feet of Juri Skalak who was waiting on the edge of the area. The Czech winger took one look up, and bent a curling left footed effort past Eastwood. It was a fantastic goal and Gateshead were behind just 5 minutes in.

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The visitors then threatened to collapse as Slavia surged forward again just a couple of minutes later, and when Stoch twatted a thundercunt off the post from 30 yards it was looking bleak and coupled with some angry words from the management team it equalled a very unpleasant first 10 minutes.

For the next quarter of an hour there was a bit of a lull in the game which it could be argued is what Gateshead needed, Slavia had 70% possession at this point and their game plan was clearly to tire their weaker opponents out and eventually pick them off.

Skoda flashed a header wide for the hosts but soon after that it was finally time for Gateshead to celebrate, and against the run of play too. Captain Paul Paton won the ball in the middle and fed it wide to Gibson who won a foul. The quickly taken free kick caught Slavia off guard and Olley was left with space just outside the area. He let loose and the ball took a slight deflection past the stranded keeper and into the net. Gateshead finally had their first goal in European football!

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Goals change games of course but the pattern of this one didn't really alter after the equaliser. Slavia were still content passing it about nicely in the middle without really creating anything too menacing, Gateshead were defending quite deep and were happy to soak up the pressure up until half time.

A defensive error very nearly messed up that plan in first half stoppage time as a horrendously short back pass from Thomas Isherwood left Eastwood scrambling to clear it which he just about did sliding in, despite calls from the crowd that he took the man first. Half time.

Half Time - Slavia Prague 1-1 Gateshead: Skalak 5; Olley 28

There was a change at the break for Gateshead with the ineffective Ben Hinchcliffe being replaced by Kai Brunker with the hope of creating more of an out ball and having an aerial threat.

Early signs in the second half showed that the change didn't mean much. It looked as if Gateshead were scared to take any unnecessary risks and as such Slavia were walking all over them, this lead to an absolutely golden chance for Husbauer who had time to take a touch in the box and crash one off the post from point blank range when it was harder to score than miss.

They didn't need to wait too much longer to regain the advantage though. A couple of corners came and went but eventually Husbauer  got some joy down the left as he got in behind, put a menacing cross in playmaker Alexej Pavlenka was there to nod in at the near post from close range. A deserved goal but a sloppy one to concede.

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Arguably that goal was the best thing that happened to Gateshead all match up to that point as it allowed them to loosen the shackles a bit and have a go. Salvia were strong at the back, but half-chances were coming with Adshead and Harvie firing wide with audacious efforts. Brunker was starting to come into his own now after the introduction of Kimpioka to play alongside him up top and they had a half-arsed appeal for a penalty turned down when the ball appeared to strike the hand of the Slavia captain Ngadeu-Ngadjui (glad I haven't had to type that name too much :S) but he had no time to get out the way of the ball.

Slavia then had a much stronger penalty appeal turned down at the other end when Skalak was brought down under the challenge of Bennett but it was waved away. The game then went into another lull, this time to the advantage of the hosts as Gateshead readied for one last push in the last 15 minutes.

There were signs both teams were starting to run out of steam a little at this point, Slavia brought on a couple of big cunts to help them continue to win the battle in the air that they'd won all game long. Redmond surged forward this time and for the third time in the half the referee was given a decision to make as the midfielder was brought down in the area. This time he pointed to the spot! Utter bedlam from the Slavia fans who were disgusted by this decision, flares on the pitch and everything.

It was down to Gateshead captain Paul Paton to deliver the goods from the spot. He hit it right footed hard and to the keeper's right... The keeper dived the other way and the visitors had pulled Slavia back again!

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Gateshead were happy with the point but were still exploring avenues on the counter attack but nothing really came off. Slavia on the other hand appeared to have lost the plot in possession for the next 5 minutes but did provide a heart in mouth moment when Skoda sent a half volley flying narrowly over the bar.

5 minutes of stoppage time arrived, Skoda headed over the bar in the second minute of it but by this point Gateshead were shithousing a little bit, wasting time and interrupting the flow of Slavia.

No more chances came. Zmrhal had the ball on the halfway line towards the dugouts on the left when the ref had a look at his watch and blew for full time. This was greeted by boos and jeers from the locals however the Gateshead fans in the corner were loving it despite not winning the game. First point was secured and a double header against Partizan to come.

Full Time - Slavia Prague 2-2 Gateshead: Skalak 5, Pavlenka 58; Olley 28, Paton 79 (pen) 

Zenit beat Partizan in a 6-goal thriller in Russia to top the group.

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Next up for Gateshead is a couple of make or break fixtures against Partizan, starting with a home game at the International Stadium.

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15 hours ago, Mr Tree said:

quality stuff mate - and a great result!

Thanks!

15 hours ago, 1759 said:

Brilliant summary that!

I can see you getting a win in at least one of the home games!

 

14 hours ago, DutchTony said:

Definitely 3 points required from that home game against Partizan. A defeat and it's all over!

You'll probably get a draw now...

3 points minimum over the two Partizan games required. Otherwise I think it'll be all over especially with Zenit in the penultimate game.

15 hours ago, Nucleus said:

What a truly average manager.

I agree. Jindřich Trpišovský deserves the sack for not being able to beat Gateshead at home...

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Just now, samhardy said:

I completely forgot about this :O Thanks for the bump @Nucleus will try and get the Partizan double header out next week.

Wanna go halves on a football club? I’ll  even lend you the 50p 😛

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1 minute ago, Nucleus said:

Wanna go halves on a football club? I’ll  even lend you the 50p 😛

No can do I’m afraid, still waiting for the offer to become their manager after this career.

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12 minutes ago, samhardy said:

No can do I’m afraid, still waiting for the offer to become their manager after this career.

I’ve already got someone lined up I’m afraid. Better luck next time 

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  • Europa League Matchday 3
  • 24th October 2019
  • Gateshead v Partizan - Att: 11,411
  • International Stadium, Gateshead

Line-ups

Gateshead: Eastwood, Bennett, Sibbick, Isherwood, Harvie, Paton (c), Adshead, Thomson, Bates, Redmond, Hinchcliffe.

Partizan: Kljajic, Miletic, Markovic, Valiente, Tanasijevic, Ilic (c), Zjdelar, Pantic, Tosic, Derlek, Nikolic.

Here’s a quick reminder as to how the group is set up going into this double header against Partizan:

Screenshot_2018-12-27-14-20-46.png

 

Well what a fucking huge game in store here between hosts Gateshead and Serbian outfit Partizan who came into this on the back of defeat to Zenit. Gateshead knew they couldn’t lose this match otherwise it’d almost be Goodnight Vienna but a win would be fantastic with the away leg to come the following game week.

Another cracking atmosphere greeted the players as they made their way onto the playing surface, including a few hundred Serbians making more than the most of their time in the North East of England. The stewards were definitely going to have their hands full this evening.

The referee’s whistle was greeted by a smoke bomb launching from the away section however there wasn’t much explosive happening on the pitch in the early exchanges as the defences were very much on top. The two sides were playing a similar system and were cancelling each other out, and it was the type of game where you know that the odd set piece is going to be crucial especially considering Partizan have a load of big fuckers at the back.

Before you knew it 20 minutes had passed and the only excitement so far had been the linesman snapping his hamstring on the sidelines and having to be replaced by the fourth official. You get the feeling Partizan were content with the way it was panning out though as they knew it was up to Gateshead to force the issue this evening, especially since the liveliest player on the pitch was looking to be Serbia international Zoran Tosic. Paul Paton went in full pelt on him near the sideline on the right, earning a yellow card for his troubles and conceding a free kick in a dangerous position. Tosic swung in a menacing delivery which Jake Eastwood was forced to punch clear, it fell to Partizan captain Sasa Ilic on the edge of the box who took a touch and fired a shot just wide of the post.

It took 35 minutes for the hosts to have their first shot at goal. A rare defensive mix up from the visitors saw Ben Hinchcliffe pounce on the ball and run forward before sending it wide to Devonte Redmond who cut inside, and although his shot didn’t trouble the keeper it at least encouraged the home faithful and they responded with a roar of encouragement.

But, just before the break disaster struck for Gateshead. Partizan had a couple of corners, the first was headed behind for another, and the second was headed away by Toby Sibbick but straight back to Tosic taking the corner. The ball came back in to the back post and Gateshead had switched off, allowing full back Strahinja Tanasijevic to ghost in and nod in at the far post. Bedlam ensued in the away end as the players started giving it large in front of the Gateshead fans with hands to ears and shush gestures riling the home supporters. There’s never a good time to concede but right before the break is arguably one of the worst times, especially with what turned out to be the last kick of the half.

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Half Time - Gateshead 0-1 Partizan: Tanasijevic 45+1

The Gateshead players emerged early for the second half with the words from manager Sam still ringing in their ears. They knew they needed to get something from this game and if they were going to do so they needed to be considerably better than what they were in the opening 45.

No changes at the break but whatever was said in the home dressing room had clearly made some sort of impact as they enjoyed a bit of a purple patch at the start of the second half. First Daniel Adshead stung the palms of Filip Kljajic in the Partizan goal, and the introduction of Kai Brunker 10 minutes into the second half nearly paid immediate dividends as he looped a header from Connor Thomson’s cross back across goal and onto the top of the net.

But the clock soon ticked past the hour mark and the Serbians were still holding firm. This was an ideal situation for them as they’d been solid all night and they knew it could only take one good counter attack to kill their opponents off. And they did get that opportunity 5 minutes later. Alfie Bates lost possession in a promising position and Partizan broke with real pace for the first time of the night. Tosic was again at the heart of it as he set Nemanja Nikolic clean through with a defence splitting ball. Eastwood raced out to close the space, but Nikolic unleashed his shot. Much to Gateshead’s relief it was a low shot that was stopped by Eastwood’s foot and out for a corner. A big save from the keeper that might have just kept Gateshead in this match and looking at the bigger picture, the tournament.

Despite missing that glorious chance, Partizan were still more than happy to sit on their one goal lead. They were shithousing masterfully with players going down injured despite nothing being wrong with them every 5 minutes and them breaking up the flow of the game was restricting Gateshead’s opportunities to few and far between. Adshead and Daniel Harvie both fired over from outside the box and Partizan were looking more and more comfortable with 5 minutes of the 90 to play.

Gateshead won a corner not long after and this time it was the visitors’ turn to switch off. Jake Bennett swung the corner in from the right and centre back Thomas Isherwood rose like a salmon, headed it into the ground and goalscorer Tanasijevic made a real hash of it on the line and in it went! What a moment for Gateshead, out of nowhere you have to say and a real lifeline in the Europa League. Surely they couldn’t go on and win the game now?

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There might only have been 2 minutes left but Gateshead had the wind right up their sails now. The crowd were roaring them forward at every opportunity and for the first time in the game, Partizan’s defenders looked nervous. Every cross into the box was looking dangerous and Partizan were penned in, and when the board went up showing 5 minutes of stoppage time there was yet more encouragement.

2 minutes in to the allotted 5 and Gateshead won another corner. Bennett took it again, it was a bit deeper this time but Isherwood yet again got his head to it and it fell nicely to Hinchcliffe to strike it!! But last season’s FA Cup hero couldn’t sort his feet out and an army of Partizan defenders recovered to block the shot and clear the ball. There was a speculative effort from Daniel Harvie in the last minute of time added on, this troubled nothing but the spectators in round about Row R nearly went out the stadium to be honest. It was at that point the fans knew the final whistle was imminent and as soon as Armin Derlek took a throw in from just in front of the dugouts the whistle came.

You get the feeling this was a better point for Partizan than it was for Gateshead but that late Isherwood header keeps them in the group. These two will renew acquaintances in Serbia next group match.

Full Time - Gateshead 1-1 Partizan: Isherwood 86; Tanasijevic 45+1

Zenit and Slavia played out a stunning 3 all draw in Russia which saw the visitors come back from 3-1 down with 15 minutes to play. It looks like Zenit will still be topping the group though but that second spot is wide open however with Zenit away to follow it's likely that Gateshead will have to go to Belgrade and get the win to have any real chance.

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Next update will see the return fixture in Serbia.

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Going to be tricky now but you never know! I’m assuming that’s the same Daniel Harvie that I had at Queen’s Park. A nice left wing back he is. 

Really enjoyed that.😀

Only problem is I had a DM off @Nucleus just last week and he said he’d bought the club and wanted to know if I’d become the new manager. I said of course I would and now I come on here and see you still in the dugout.☹️

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5 minutes ago, 1759 said:

Going to be tricky now but you never know! I’m assuming that’s the same Daniel Harvie that I had at Queen’s Park. A nice left wing back he is. 

Really enjoyed that.😀

Only problem is I had a DM off @Nucleus just last week and he said he’d bought the club and wanted to know if I’d become the new manager. I said of course I would and now I come on here and see you still in the dugout.☹️

If he fails to make it out of the group stages then the job is most definitely yours. He seems to be failing at this tremendously at the moment 😛

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