A ten minute brace from Joe Pugh sees Rovers come from behind to win up in Newcastle.
Gateshead - 1 (Hailes 17’)Rovers - 2 (Pugh 74’, 85’)
Tuesday, 12th April, 2016
Gateshead International Stadium
Final third Development League
Paul Stancliffe and Paul Wilson’s Development team travelled up the A1 to Gateshead for another tough contest in the Final Third Development League.
With a number of Under 16’s present, it was a very young side fielded, captained by Joe Pugh in torrential rain.
Gateshead were a strong, physical side who looked to test Rovers right from the off. Marko Marosi was called into action early on as a dangerous ball was delivered across the box. With conditions making it difficult, the Rovers keeper was quick off his line to collect bravely.
On 17 minutes the home side took the lead. Joe Hailes broke through the defence on the left and cutting into the box he smashed the ball into the bottom corner beating Marosi.
Rovers almost hit back immediately through an attack down the right. Reece Fielding delivered a great ball into the box for Liam Mandeville to head towards goal. MacDonald made a good save and Will Longbottom’s follow up was cleared off the line.
Kevin Mbuti made a vital block shortly before half time. Luke Armstrong somehow found a way through the defence to be one on one with Marosi. A lucky deflection saw him beat the Rovers keeper and with an empty net was certain to score but for Mbuti putting his body on the line to make a brave block.
Liam Mandeville came closes to scoring for the visitors as his free kick from 25 yards had MacDonald beaten but went inches past the post.
HALF TIME: Gateshead 1-0 Rovers
As the second half got underway Gateshead were on the attack again and it was Luke Armstrong who went close for the second time in the game. Finding a way through he was once again one on one with Marosi but the young Rovers keeper made an impressive save with his feet.
Rovers settled and started playing some smart football. Matty Davies was stand out in midfield causing a few problems. Splitting the defence with a fantastic turn, he played a ball through for Mandeille. One on one with the keeper, he went for the chip and as his effort was going just wide Longbottom was at full stretch for the tap in but couldn’t quite get there.
With 15 minutes to go the visitors got a deserved equaliser. More good play saw Whitehouse released down the right. Taking on his defender he crossed from the corner and captain Joe Pugh brilliantly volleyed the ball first time past Shaun MacDonald.
With 5 minutes to go Pugh got his and Rovers second. This time it was Davies with the run into the box before he cooly squared the ball for Pugh to finish first time from 12 yards.
That proved to be the winner and Rovers ran out 2-1 winners in Newcastle.
FULL TIME: Gateshead 1-2 Rovers
Team Lineups-
Gateshead: MacDonald, McCarthy, Perry, Onovwigun (Cassidy 83’), Froggatt, Holden, Elliott (Lamb 61’), Ramshaw, Armstrong, Kanda, Hailes (Leedham 61’)
Unused Subs: McArdle, Redford
Rovers: Marosi, Fielding, Barker (Henderson), Walker (Overton 83’), Mbuti, Bingley, Whitehouse, Davies, Pugh (C), Mandeville, Longbottom
Unused Subs: Henderson, Jones, Townrow, Scattergood