A scrambled goal near the death rescued a point for the Os to maintain our unbeaten start to the season.
Gateshead have started the season reasonably – winning their first three games, before a draw and a defeat away – so it promised to be a close game.
Orient, fielded the same starting 11 as last Saturday whilst Gateshead were unrecognisable from our last meeting after a high summer turnover of players.
The Os started the brighter, backed by another excellent travelling support, but it’s fair to say that the most memorable part of the day at half-time was my pint and lasagne in the Schooner beforehand!
Orient were definitely the better side – dominating without really troubling their opponents. The Os backline controlled the Gateshead forwards comfortably.
In the 22ndminute Koroma released McAnuff down the left and his cut back was met by Lee, but he blazed over the bar. Four minutes later from a long-throw Bonne fired a smart volley but it was smothered by the Heed keeper.
The best chance of the first half fell to Craig Clay on 30 minutes but his shot was blocked and the loose ball cleared by a Gateshead defender.
Orient started the second half on the front foot and Clay won a free kick but Ekpiteta couldn’t quite connect at the far post.
Gateshead grew into the game – gradually winning more loose balls in midfield and putting the Os defence under pressure. Judd did well in the 56th minute to make a last ditch block in the box before Brill made a superb save low to his left from a header from the resulting corner.
Both sides made changes with Dale Gorman coming on for Charlie Lee in the 62nd minute to make his debut. Alabi then replaced Dayton but it was to be a short-lived outing for the ex-Tranmere man.
Gateshead went in front in the 77thminute when Armstrong got to a knock-on and held off Ekpiteta. The Middlesborough loanee slotted the ball under Brill for his 5th goal in as many games. It was a sore blow for the Orient defence who had acquitted themselves well up to that point.
Things went from bad to worse less than five minutes later when Alabi lunged into a needless tackle. Even from the back of the stand on the other side of the running track it looked reckless with the forward leaving the ground and leading with his studs. After a short delay the referee showed the red card.
Fortunately Gateshead thought their job was done and set about defending their lead. The travelling faithful got excited and as there still seemed a chance of an equaliser.
And so it turned out to be when a corner from McAnuff caused chaos in the 6 yard box and it looked certain that Bonne would score. Despite the ball being blocked it dropped to Ekpiteta and the young defender smashed the ball through a forest of legs to send Orient players and fans into ecstasy.
It was an OK performance from the Os, in my opinion. We dominated the first half, without creating any clear chances. Gateshead came into the game and after losing a poor goal and Alabi’s moment of madness it feels like a point gained so onto Monday’s home game against Dover on a relative high.
Player Ratings
Brill – 6 – one superb save in the 2nd half but untroubled apart from that. The loudest voice in the stadium and could clearly be heard screaming at his defence and the linesman!
Judd – 7 – very solid again with a couple of great challenges and a decent threat down the right
Coulson – 8 – my man of the match – more or less faultless throughout, winning numerous headers and interceptions
Ekpiteta – 6 – a mixed day for big Marv. Generally steady at the back before being at fault for the Gateshead goal – but made up for it by smashing home the equaliser.
Widdowson – 6 – steady if unspectacular. Didn’t do much wrong but could perhaps be more of a threat going forward.
Dayton – 5 – worked hard without much reward on the right side of midfield. Some good deliveries from free kicks before being replaced by Alabi.
Lee – 5 – not a bad game but not much of note to report. He does the simple things well but not a real driving force in the centre of the park.
Clay – 7 – another good performance to follow on from last week. Won a lot of balls in midfield, distributed it well and drove into the box when he had the chance.
McAnuff – 6 – a decent performance from the skipper. Still can’t believe he’s 37 as he still gets around the park like a man 10 years younger!
Koroma – 6 – looked lively at times when trying to run with the ball, though generally well marshalled by the Gateshead back four.
Bonne – 6 – worked tirelessly up front without much reward. Won a lot of headers and had a couple of decent snap-shots but no clear cut opportunities.
Subs:
Gorman (for Lee 62) – 5 – didn’t quite look up to speed but some promising touches to give us hope for the next few games.
Alabi (for Dayton 67) – 3 – on the pitch for about 15 minutes and touched the ball about 3 times before stupidly attempting GBH on the Heed midfielder and leaving his teammates with a mountain to climb.
Harrold (for Judd 85) – 6 – has had his critics but did what he was sent on to do and made a difference in the last few minutes. Won headers and was unlucky not to get a penalty after the Heed centre back tried to swap shirts with him!
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