Wed 15th OCtober 2003

Unibond Div 1

Gateshead 2(1)(Blandford 9, Thompson pen 62)

Bridlington Town 3(1)(Burdick 23, Thacker pen 49, Palmer 84)

Att: 187

Referee: G.Thornton - Billingham

Bridlington Town grabbed a massive three points away at the International Stadium. Craig Burdick levelled Scott Blandfords opener before gaining a penalty early in the second half that Martin Thacker tucked away. Gateshead got back on terms just after the hour with a penalty of their own scored by Paul Thompson but Paul Palmer grabbed the points for the visitors with six minutes remaining.

Bridlington had started the quicker, forcing the pace, with Stuart Baldwin bringing a good save out ofBurke and also hitting the side netting inside the first five minutes. Against the early run of play the home side took the lead. Harrison laifd the ball out right to Reay and he crossed for Blandford to head the opening goal. Bridlington got back on level terms after a foul on the left gave a free kick. Stuart Baldwin curled the ball in and Craig Burdick got the neatest of flicks past Burke on 23 mins. Both sides continued to probe but no further scoring occured in the half, due to some wayward shooting from both sides.

Bridlington took the lead early in the second half. Kevin Smith played the ball in to Burdick on the right. He played a one-two with Palmer and tore into the box only to be felled and the referee awarded a penalty. Martin Thacker slotted home on 49 mins to give the visitors the lead. Gateshead upped the pace and went close when a fierce shot from Kent was body blocked by Kelly in Town's goal. Town responded by attacking and sending Burdick in again and his curled effort rattled the Gateshead crossbar. Gateshead pushed up front again and were awarded a free kick. Morgan lifted the ball in and as Kelly comfortably gathered the referee spotted an infringement and awarded Gateshead a penalty. Paul Thompson netted to level for the home side. This inspired Gateshead and they increased their game to pressure Bridlington but the Seasiders held firm. More Gateshead pressure forced some resolute defending and restricted Bridlington to breaks but this paid off for Bridlington. A long ball out of defence found Kevin Smith on the left, he switched play to Thompson at the other side. Thompson curled the perfect ball over for Paul Palmer to head home the winner on 84 mins.

Gateshead: 1.Terry Burke, 2.Stephen Harrison, 3.Rob Southern, 4.Ben Cattenach, 5.James Curtis, 6.Lee Bell, 7.Simon Reay, 8.Scott Blandford, 9.Paul Thompson, 10.Graeme Craggs, 11.David Morgan, 12.Michael Chilton (for Craggs 64), 14.Mike Dibie, 15.Rich Kent (for Reay 45)

Bridlington Town: 1.Gavin Kelly, 2.Andy Thompson, 3.Steve Robinson, 4.Shaun Baker, 5.Craig Suddaby, 6.Steve Heath, 7.Craig Burdick, 8.Martin Thacker, 9.Paul Palmer, 10.Kev Smith, 11.Stuart Baldwin, 12.Andy Taylor, 14.Paul Farley (For Baldwin 87), 15.Dave Ingram (For Smith 75)