For the first time since Boxing Day, FC Halifax Town returned to Vanarama National League action as they faced a strong Gateshead side. Chris Millington named four changes from last time out against Altrincham: Zak Emmerson, Andrew Oluwabori, Max Wright, and Owen Bray all made the starting eleven.
A first-half Halifax double and Max Wright’s first of the season helped the Shaymen claim all three points away to high-flying Gateshead.
The first chance of the game came for the home side. Dan Jones picked the ball up in the centre of the pitch before clipping a ball into the path of Will McGowan; his first touch was slightly loose, and Jack Evans managed to superbly intercept before the 22-year-old could get a shot off.
On the fifteen-minute mark, Halifax found the opener; Will Smith threaded the ball through to Scott High, allowing him to turn and spot the run of Emmerson; he then outmuscled his man before cutting the ball back into the path of Bray, who guided the ball into the corner of the net for his third of the season after scoring twice previously in the National League cCp.
High then had the chance to deliver from a corner, which Adam Adetoro managed to guide towards goal before the Gateshead defence scrambled clear. Moments later, Jovan Malcolm had a chance for the Heed. The ball broke to him 25 yards out, which gave him the chance to strike, but a diving block from Will Smith prevented the shot from testing Johnson.
Gateshead really mounted the pressure on the Halifax defence in the later stages of the half. Charlie Colkett found himself in acres of space on the left side of the Shaymen box; he then flashed the ball across the 6-yard area, but the stretching Jean Belehouan couldn’t quite convert.
On the stroke of halftime, Halifax doubled their advantage. Scott High pressed the Gateshead defence, leading them to give away possession; the ball made its way to Emmerson, who struck from distance, crashing the underside of the crossbar. The ball ricocheted back into the path of Oluwabori, who passed home into an empty net for his sixth of the season, five of those away from home.
Gateshead pulled one straight back following the restart; a dubious penalty decision gave Luke Hannant the chance to convert from 12 yards, which he did with confidence as he scored his seventh spot kick of the season.
The away side looked to hit back instantly on the counterattack; a driving run from Will Smith resulted in him being hacked down 20 yards from goal. High took the resulting free kick, which he tried to sneak under the wall, but Owen Mason was equal to it.
Adetoro was the first man to be carded for the Shaymen just before the hour mark; Adan George and Tom Pugh were introduced for Town following this. Meanwhile, Gateshead made two substitutes of their own as they welcomed two new signings onto the field in the form of Max Sheaf and Louis Flower.
It was not Gateshead’s finest display at the back, and this was compounded in the 66th minute. For the second time on the night, the Heed goalkeeper was the victim of sloppy passing; this time Tom Pugh was the first to the loose ball. After gaining possession, he was tripped, but the ball fell kindly to Max Wright in space; it took the substitute two attempts, but eventually he managed to slot home and restore the Halifax two-goal advantage. Wright’s first of the season certainly wasn’t the prettiest of goals, but the attacker won’t care.
With twenty minutes to go, Angelo Cappello came on in place of goalscorer Oluwabori. It was almost an instant impact from Cappello as he picked up the ball before forcing Mason into a good save. Halifax’s fourth change of the night saw Max Wright give way to Jack Jenkins.
The game’s action became a lot more limited after Halifax’s third. They were very happy to see out the game in a professional manner; Max Sheaf did have a good chance at the end, but Johnson denied the new signing.
68 travelling Shaymen were at the Gateshead International Stadium to see their players claim all three points from the northeast.
Match Stats:
Gateshead
29 Owen Mason, 14 Seri-Leroy Belehouan, 2 Robbie Tinkler, 46 Dan Jones (5 Kenton Richardson 86), 19 Luke Hannant, 27 Joshua Williams, 15 Liam Humbles, 34 Charlie Colkett (10 Max Sheaf 62), 24 Will McGowan, 11 Ben Worman, 45 Jovan Malcom (9 Louis Flower 63)
Subs: 30 Ollie Basey, 12 Kain Adom, 29 Connor Pani, 39 Jamie Bramwell
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson © 5 Adam Senior, 27 Adam Adetoro, 15 Will Smith, 3 Ryan Galvin, 6 Jack Evans, 30 Scott High, 26 Owen Bray (23 Tom Pugh 62), 21 Zak Emmerson (19 Adan George 62), 7 Max Wright (20 Jack Jenkins 79), 22 Andrew Oluwabori (11 Angelo Cappello 73)
Subs: 12 Nathaniel Ford, 2 Jo Cummings, 4 Festus Arthur
Goals: Bray 16, Oluwabori 45, Hannant 50 (pen), Wright 66
Yellow Cards: Tinkler 51, Adetoro 60
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 685 (68 away)
Gateshead 1 FC Halifax Town 3
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