Bogie verdict on Morton friendly

Gateshead manager Ian Bogie admitted there is plenty for himself and his coaching staff to work upon on the training ground following the 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat against Greenock Morton at the International Stadium.

On a surface that was a credit to the groundstaff Gateshead, with only one trialist - defender Matty Heywood, put in a disappointing 90 minutes.

Scottish 1st division outfit Morton were good value for their victory even if the circumstances of the winner were shrouded in controversy.

"It was a typical goal for Gateshead to concede," said Bogie "their lad was receiving treatment for a head injury and Alan Jenkins nipped in to catch everyone off guard with a free kick from almost the halfway line.

"It was a bizarre goal but Paul Farman's job is to protect his goal at all times and he shouldn't have been outside his penalty area.

"The game was a typical pre-season friendly and I while we passed the ball well at times we again lacked a cutting edge up front.

"Four strikers were used but they didn't hold the ball up well enough and it kept coming back which made life difficult against a useful Morton side."

Gateshead were without three key players from the spine of the side; James Curtis, Kris Gate and Jon Shaw but Bogie expected more from his charges.

"I used 16 players instead of 23 as in the previous two friendlies but not enough of those who played put in a good performance.

"Having said that there were some positives. Ben Clark is a top signing and young James Marwood again injected a spark when he came on.

"I know what type of players we still need to improve the team before the season starts and I will be going all out to get them.

"I am confident everything will be in place come the big kick-off. We have only had a couple of weeks training as a full-time club and there will be a massive improvement by August 14th."

Bogie also expects Saturday's opponents Spennymoor Town, who will include Gateshead cast off Steven Richardson, to provide tough opposition.

"Spennymoor won the Northern League last season. They have some good players and will give us a very good game.

"I will make a number of changes for the trip to the Brewery Field and will give a run out to a 6' 2" midfielder from Teeside who has contacted the club looking for a trial."