Gateshead 1-1 Notts County (National League) 16.08.22

Notts County came from behind to take a point in the North East, their second draw on the road in four days and a third unbeaten match of the campaign, the Magpies currently sixth in the National League standings on five points.

A tricky encounter at the open athletics stadium that hosts Gateshead, promoted from the National League North last season but without their two star strikers, both joining Notts County in the summer.

Macaulay Langstaff started against his old club whilst Cedwyn Scott was on the bench, and it was Langstaff who had the first real shot of the game on eight minutes, testing a twenty yard free kick straight at the goalkeeper.

Slocombe then denied former Magpie Adam Campbell with a magnificent save whilst Bajrami threw his body on the line to ensure the home side didn’t take a twelfth minute lead, Langstaff then had a shot blocked on 18 before Rodrigues also hit a defender with his goal bound effort after good work from O’Brien and Nemane on 25.

O’Brien then found himself in the book on the half hour for a typical robust challenge whilst Rodrigues whistled a shot wide after Nemane was brought down by Olley who himself saw yellow on 38.

Palmer’s inswinging corner on 41 threatened to fly into Montgomery’s top corner but the Gateshead goalkeeper got a hand to fist the ball over before saving his best until the last action of the half, pushing wide a diving header by Langstaff on the stroke of half time.

In the second half Gateshead flew out of the traps with Notts sloppy starting and the hosts bagged an early goal as Cameron’s back pass was latched on to by Allen who pounced to score.

Notts pressured with balls into the box and on the hour Langstaff headed over whilst Mitchell ten minutes later couldn’t find the target with his header, Nemane then shot at Montgomery from a tight angle with the Gateshead keeper standing firm.

On 76 minutes Cedwyn Scott replaced Langstaff who couldn’t get a goal against his old club, that change brought further pressure on the home defence and Mitchell almost capitalised on a mix up, shooting wide with the goalkeeper well off his line, but Notts persistence paid as Nemane crossed in dangerously which was deflected in by defender Storey to provide the Magpies an 88^th minute leveller.

After the match, Head Coach Luke Williams stated “I feel like we could have had the game wrapped up in the first half (with chances missed), but in the end we had to come back from the deficit so we’ll take the point”.

Notts County: Slocombe; Cameron, Bajrami, Brindley; Chicksen, Nemane; Francis (Mitchell 63), Palmer, O’Brien (Vincent 81), Rodrigues; Langstaff (Scott 76)

Gateshead: Montgomery, Tinkler, Storey, Ward, Pye (Forbes 75), Richardson, Bailey, Olley, Allen (Harris 69), Campbell, Blackett (Hasani 79).

Venue: Gateshead International Stadium (1,825)

*Main image @Official_NCFC Geraldo Bajrami in action for Notts County.