Media Watch - Gateshead boss Ian Bogie’s staying upbeat

16/07/2010, by Jeff Bowron, Evening Chronicle

GATESHEAD manager Ian Bogie is confident his side will be primed and ready to go when the Blue Square Premier season gets under way at home to Kettering Town on August.

The Tynesiders first three friendlies have all brought single-goal defeats, the latest a 1-0 setback against Greenock Morton last night in front of a 300-strong crowd at the International Stadium.

Bogie’s men drew a blank for the second consecutive game and were undone by a hugely controversial goal on the stroke of half-time.

With play stopped for an injury to a prostrate Morton player, Alan Jenkins caught Gateshead cold with a cheeky strike from near the halfway line which found the bottom corner.

The entire Gateshead side surrounded Sunderland referee Billy Khatib, but the goal was allowed to stand and proved to be the difference between the two sides.

A rueful Bogie said: “Only Gateshead could concede a goal like that. Their lad was down with a head injury and it was certainly an opportunist free-kick, but it was also an awful goal to concede.

“Morton were a bit brighter than us. It was a typical pre-season game and we obviously have plenty to work on.

“The positives were that Ben Clark has shown he will be a top signing and winger James Marwood was again a bright spark when he came on.

“However, we once again lacked a cutting edge. We used four forwards but they didn’t hold the ball up and we didn’t work the Morton keeper enough.”

Jon Shaw’s much-heralded home debut turned out to be a non-event, and key players Kris Gate and James Curtis were also missing from the spine of the team.

“Shaw was down to play but pulled out after a morning training session and will now rest his calf injury for the next two weeks,” said Bogie.

“Gate should return at Spennymoor Town tomorrow, where those who didn’t feature against Morton will all play, and trialist Matt Heywood will be given another run out.”