Heartbreak for Heed

1st Round

Gateshead (L6) v Oldham Athletic (L4)

Sunday 10th November 2019.

As this was an early kick-off on Sunday, the A1 was clear and we made really good time up to Gateshead. Despite this, the car park was already pretty busy, with fans queueing at the turnstiles.

After checking in at the reception, we were shown to our table, to join a family from Oldham. and a father and son from York, who were Gateshead fans.

We had pre-ordered our food in line with a request from the club, and looked forward to a hearty brunch before the game. Hospitality was full and soon plates of sausage, egg, bacon, and all the trimmings started to appear. We were in the furthest corner from the servery, so had to wait. And wait. And then wait a bit more.

It was Remembrance Sunday, and the compere requested that we take our seats 15 minutes before kick-off in order to observe the two minute silence. I pointed out to him that it only gave us ten minutes ans we hadn't received the first of our two courses yet. He scurried off to the kitchen to chase the order.

In the meantime, our waitress took an order for interval drinks and explained that, due to the two minute silence, dessert would be served during the break.

Finally, our brunch arrived. We had placed our specific orders a week before, but were served with the full breakfast, minus baked beans as they had clearly not catered for the numbers.

This was fine for me, but Samuel had only asked for sausage and beans. I gave him my sausage.

We wolfed our food down and arrived at our seats just in time to observe the Remembrance tradition.

Although cold, it was dry and sunny. This suited Gateshead, who started brightly, using the width of the pitch to great effect, mounting several impressive attacks. They were clearly the better side,dominating their league opponents, but it was the visitors who took the lead just before the half hour mark.

From a throw, the ball was flicked across the face of goal and headed home at the far post.

Far from deflating the hosts, they continued to drive at the Oldham defence, but were unable to secure an equaliser before the break.

Half time Gateshead 0 - 1 Oldham Athletic.

We returned to the hospitality suite, looking forward to a tasty dessert. At our table, the family of Oldham fans looked decidedly unhappy. I was surprised, as their team held a slender lead, until they explained that their interval drinks hadn't arrived yet. Neither had ours. I asked at the bar and they assured me they would be with us immediately.

We waited, discussing the first half, all agreeing that the Latics were fortunate to be ahead.

Still no sign of drinks or dessert.

A passing waitress was intercepted, and she informed us that dessert would be served after the game. We informed her that we had to get back home,as did the group from Oldham, and wouldn't be able to have it.

By this time, the second half was about to start and, since our drinks had still not appeared, I cancelled the order and left the hospitality suite, never to return.

In contrast to the immensely disappointing performance from the caterers, the players on the pitch were excellent.

Starting the second period as they had finished the first, they pressed their opponents and were rewarded in the 53rd minute. Following another quick passing display in midfield, Liam Agnew drove the ball into the bottom left corner to restore parity. Cue raucous celebrations in the home stand.

Ten minutes later, Heed were denied the lead when the ball was cleared off the line, with the follow up saved by the keeper.

Then, in the 77th minute, the dream of Wembley died. With one of their rare forays into the Gateshead half, a cross field pass found Jonny Smith on the right wing. He cut inside and curled a left foot strike into the net. A goal worthy of winning the tie, but hardly what the Heed deserved.

Pushing for a second equaliser, and a second chance away at Oldham, Greg Olley collected the ball and, with only two minutes left on the clock, unfortunately sent his shot just wide.

And that was that.

Full time Gateshead 1 - 2 Oldham Athletic

It had been a superb performance from the Heed, and they deserved at least another chance. But football's not always fair and it's Oldham who go into the 2nd round draw. Gateshead should be proud of their run and we've enjoyed our three trips to the International Stadium. Maybe we'll come back again someday, just not in hospitality.

Ratings - food 2/10; facilities 9/10 (comfy, cushioned seats this time); atmosphere and entertainment 9/10 (great match).

Attendance 2199

Round trip 336 miles

#FACup

Jack and Alex

Despite making the long journey to Yeovil, the game was postponed.

When it was rescheduled the result was Yeovil Town 1 - 4 Hartlepool United.