Middlesbrough ended Gateshead’s unbeaten run in pre-season, despite the home side playing some very convincing football throughout. Both sides will be happy with the test and will head into the final weeks before the big kick off full of confidence for what lies ahead. Daniel Wales reports.
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00:00Tyneside welcomed Teeside for a pre-season clash as Middlesbrough made the trip north
00:07to face Gateshead. Like their north-east rival Sunderland, Borough fielded a strong side
00:13to face the Hede, but also named a strong bench too, unlike the Wearsiders.
00:19Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick watched on during the warm-ups, knowing a challenging
00:24test lay ahead for his team before an important campaign at the riverside.
00:32As for Gateshead, they were looking for their second championship scalp in pre-season so
00:37far. It promised to be an engaging encounter as
00:40pre-season fixtures go, with two sides comfortable in possession pitted against each other on
00:46a mild July evening on Tyneside. A quiet first quarter to the game saw both
00:56sides play expansive football but fail to threaten. Then, on the half-hour mark, a moment
01:02of real quality separated the teams. Dan Barlassa delivered a set-piece from the right, which
01:07landed perfectly on Daryl Enahan's head at the back post to open the scoring.
01:12Gateshead nearly hit back immediately as Callum Whelan headed wide from a similar position
01:16at the opposite end. The Tynesiders again came close early in the
01:20second period as Luke Hannant shot just over, having found space in the box. Borough then
01:26did create openings after they made changes, but ultimately it finished 1-0 on Tyneside.
01:36After the final whistle, Borough boss Michael Carrick praised Gateshead's footballing ability
01:40and the challenge that they presented.
02:10Gateshead manager Rob Elliott then reflected on the benefits for his side.
02:40It's a good test for everyone.