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Match Report: Gateshead through to FA Trophy semi-final after penalty shoot-out

2J1KYMX GATESHEAD, UK. MAR 26TH Gateshead’s Greg Olley during the Vanarama National League North match between Gateshead and Bradford Park Avenue at the Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead on Saturday 26th March 2022. (Credit: Michael Driver | MI News) Credit: MI News & Sport /Alamy Live News

Kamil Conteh sent Gateshead through to the FA Trophy semi-final after he converted the winning penalty after a goalless draw in normal time. 

James Montgomery played a vital role in keeping Gateshead’s cup run alive as he saved back-to-back Farsley Celtic penalties after Aaron Martin put his early penalty wide.

Mike Williamson would make five changes to the team that was seen against Halifax on Tuesday. Along with naming himself, Williamson introduced James Montgomery, Louis Storey, Carl Magnay, and Aaron Martin into the starting 11.  Gateshead’s injury crisis could be seen on their bench with the Tynesiders naming four out of a possible six substitutions on their bench.

Farsley got the first chance of the match in the third minute. Montgomery’s attempted throw to Dan Ward was intercepted by Bobby Johnson who tried his luck from 40-yards, but his wayward shot landed on the roof of the Gateshead net. 

Farsley broke on the counter-attack in the 11th minute following a Gateshead corner. Kian Scales played a squared pass to Theo Williams, whose shot from 10 yards out was hit straight at Montgomery’s feet. 

Oli Thompson danced his way into the Farsley box before his pass to Martin played through Dan Ward who blasted the ball over the bar from a tight angle in the 27th minute.  

In the 44th minute Williams skipped passed Louis Storey to be in one-on-one, but his shot was crucially saved by Montgomery. 

Dan Ward cut inside before he unleashed a low-driven shot towards the bottom corner forcing Max Dearnley into a save in the 80th minute. 

Frank Mulhern nearly pulled off the goal of the season in in the 82nd minute. The Farsley striker hit a venomous volley from in his own half which Montgomery had to scramble back onto his line to tip the ball over the bar. Which forced the match to penalties.

Penalties

Adam Campbell sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and calmly dispatched the ball in the left corner with the first penalty.

Mulhern was up next to place his penalty down the middle.

Martin sent his penalty wide to give Farsley the chance of the advantage. 

Adam Clayton’s powerful attempt was saved by Montgomery.  

Dan Ward arrowed his penalty into the top corner.

Montgomery pulled of an acrobatic save to save Johnson’s penalty. 

Louis Storey made sure he took the advantage as he hit his penalty into the back of the net. 

Scales converted his penalty to keep Farsley’s FA Trophy dream alive.

With a long run up, Kamil Conteh placed his penalty into the bottom corner to send Gateshead to the FA Trophy semi-finals. 

 Gateshead: Montgomery, Richardson, Williamson, Storey, Pye, Magnay, Tinkler, Conteh, Campbell, Ward, Martin 

Subs: Thompson (10’) 

Farsley Celtic: Dearnley, Turner, Butroid, Johnson, Butler, Clayton, Williams, Atkinson, Ubaezuonu, Mulhern, Scales

Subs: Allan (71’) 

Attendance: 1,119