Match Report: Gateshead continue winning ways!

A goal from in-form Dajaune Brown ensured a very nervy win for Gateshead FC.

A close-range finish from Brown took The Heed one-nil up late into the second half. This marked the only goal of the match as Gateshead battled well to see off their visitors.

Heading into the match, The Heed looked to maintain their position within the play-off spots against a mid-table Dagenham & Redbridge. A much changed starting eleven for the hosts included a starting spot for top scorer Marcus Dinanga, as well as Kain Adom, Louis Storey, Ed Francis and Luke Hannant. The visitors were without key-player Tom Eastman and Elliot Johnson.

The first chance came in the ninth minute when Adom found himself in space to shoot just outside the box, firing to the right side of the goal, the shot rippling off the side netting.

As Gateshead continued to add the early pressure, Adom turned provider as he found a free Callum Whelan inside the box via a smart pass, but the shot went narrowly wayward.

Dagenham were then forced into an early sub, with Josh Hare replacing the injured Nik Tavares.

In the 34th minute, Ryan Hill for The Daggers twisted and turned into James Montgomery’s box, unleashing a curling effort that sailed high over the bar.

For the rest of the first half both teams were unable to produce any real quality going into the final third, leaving it all to play for in the second half.

The first shot on target eventually came in the 47th minute for Gateshead as Ed Francis received the ball out the box following a pass from Brown as he rushed forward, his low shot curled to the right, into the arms of Elliot Justham. 

Dion Pereira produced a fantastic run for The Daggers in the 52nd minute,  dancing past multiple defenders and testing Montgomery with a low shot that glanced wide.

Montgomery was forced into action again in the 65th minute, Jake Hessenthaler did well to take Gateshead off the ball before slotting in Ryan Hill, the ball rolling into the arms of the Gateshead keeper.

Dagenham continued to apply pressure, Josh Rees was slotted inside the box on the right side, his shot very narrowly going wide.

Gateshead then turned to their bench to make a double-substitution, Dinanga making way for Ben Worman and Regan Booty coming off for Kieran Evans.

Despite the change The Daggers continued to be in the driving seat, in the 74th minute, Pereira unleashed a powerful strike on the edge of the box that was denied by a Montgomery fingertip.

Gateshead, against the balance of play, broke the deadlock in the 77th minute when Adom slotted in Worman who drove down the left side of the pitch and crossed low into the path of Brown who tapped in from close range.

The 90th minute saw a Francis  free-kick ripple off the side netting as Gateshead looked to further their lead.

In what was the last chance of the match, with four minutes of added time given, Dagenham looked to equalise, Rees fired wayward just inside the box.