Gateshead Sapipa Orange 6 v 1 SAFC Foundation Pumas

7th March 2010

It felt like a long time since we played a match in the sun but if todays performance is anything to go by we should try and avoid these conditions in the future.

Both teams started well and it was the Pumas who settled first forcing a corner which was well delivered by Nathan and converted by Johnny Brown. Gateshead are pushing to win this league and they are a well organised and skilful side and they immediately set about getting their equaliser, it was at this point that all started to go wrong. Our defenders got in each others way and gifted a shooting opportunity to Gateshead which slid under Johnny Doyle in to the back of the net. From this point onwards the Pumas were second to every ball and spent the rest of the game chasing the ball. Just before half time Gateshead took the lead an excellent cross was headed into our goal but again poor marking was evident.

We had hoped that a half time team talk would spur the team on but it wasn't to be. The poor performance of the first half continued in to the second half and despite a brief period where we showed some passing and movement it was all Gateshead who went on to score a further four goals. The final score was 6 - 1 to Gateshead. It was a game to forget with only two or three players showing the expected level of effort and determination. It was distressing to see Johnny Brown suffer another nasty injury when he tore a ligament early in the second half. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

Man of the Match: Johnny Doyle, another excellent goalkeeping display making some outstanding saves.