Boston 5-3 Gateshead Match Report: Play-off heartbreak for the Heed

After a fairly even opening 20 minutes to the contest, it was Gateshead seized the initiative as the midway point of the first-half approached.

Greg Olley whipped in a sumptuous free-kick from the left-hand side and that allowed JJ O’Donnell to expertly flick a header beyond hosts keeper Peter Crook and into the far corner of the net.

Boston got themselves back on level-terms in controversial circumstances with just over ten minutes of the first-half remaining.

Former Heed loanee Jake Wright won a foot-race with Williamson on the left-hand side of the area, and the former Newcastle United defender seemed to withdraw his challenge despite sliding to his knees.

Wright went to ground, and referee Robert Massey-Ellis wasted little time in pointing to the spot.

Pilgrims top goalscorer Jordan Thewlis kept his cool to send Heed keeper Brad James the wrong way and restore parity.

The game was turned on its head just two minutes before the interval as the hosts were awarded a second penalty of the game.

JJ O’Donnell was contesting a loose ball with Pilgrims winger Jay Rollins when assistant referee Jake Topp flagged for a foul.

Williamson was booked in the aftermath of the decision and Thewlis made no mistake from the spot to give his side a lead as they made their way into the dressing room for half-time.

Despite their disappointment seeing their lead overturned, Gateshead got themselves back on level-terms within six minutes of the restart with a penalty of their own.

Alex Nicholson was upended by Alex Whittle and the former Newcastle United academy full-back dusted himself down and converted the penalty with ease.

A topsy-turvy match swung back in the hosts’ favour just after the hour as Jay Rollins managed to curl a right-footed effort inside James’ near-post.

The Pilgrims never really looked back from their point and extended their lead with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Wright worked some space for himself on the right-hand and his cross-shot looped over James and nestled inside the far corner of his net.

The game was ended as a contest as the last ten minutes approached when Wright grabbed his second of the day on the counter.

The introduction of Ruairi Keating and Paul Blackett added some freshness to the Heed attack – but it was defender Elliott Forbes that gave his side a glimmer of hope with five minutes left when he headed an Olley cross beyond Crook.

But Boston held on to claim a win and set up next Saturday’s play-off final against Altrincham.

All eyes turn towards next season for Gateshead as a campaign of rebuilding and developing a squad capable of challenging at the top end of non-league’s second-tier ends in disappointment.

However, the building blocks are in place for player-manager Williamson and assistant manager Ian Watson to continue the undoubted progress they have made in their first season in charge.

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