Bogie verdict on Harrogate Town Friendly

Gateshead manager Ian Bogie declared himself satisfied with his side's second half performance in Tuesday's 2-1 pre-season friendly win at Harrogate Town.

Trailing at the half way stage the Tynesiders hit back with a goals early and late in the second period to gain a second successive win on the road.

Harrogate included five former Gateshead players which added spice to a game played in torrential rain during the first half.

Gateshead were without four players due to injury with central defender Carl Jones unable to play in the second half after he picked up a foot injury.

Alex Francis deputised capably at the heart of the defence while trialist and former Yeovil, Dagenham & Redbridge and Leyton Orient midfielder Paul Terry played the second 45 minutes.

"Terry is looking for a club after leaving Rushden & Diamonds and we are on the lookout for a combative midfield player so it was a chance for both parties to have a look at each other," said Bogie.

"He has been training by himself rather than in a team environment and he'll be training with Gateshead next week and will play in the two friendlies against Sunderland and Newcastle XIs.

"Terry has had a good career and was composed in the middle of the park. He is also a good organiser and talker so we will see how it goes next week."

Bogie was disappointed with his side's first half display when he played a 4-3-3 formation with Brian Wake, David Dowson and Nathan Fisher up front.

It was Fisher who fired Gateshead level early in the second half before Bermuda international Tyrell Burgess grabbed the late winner.

"Fisher is a raw talent but there is something to work on. He is a natural finisher and when the chance came along he buried it," added Bogie.

"It was a nice finish and it will have done him good as all strikers like to get their first goal when they join a new club.

"We are certainly a lot more solid at the back with Ben Clark in there but we need to be a bit more inventive when we have the ball.

"We weren't at the races in the first half. The heavens opened, our decision making was poor and we never got to grips with the game.

"It was a better performance in the second half. Our fitness levels were a lot better in the final half hour and we were able to dictate play and boss the game.

"Harrogate are a much better side than last season. They gave us a good work out and I am sure they will have a good season.

"They also had a number of players who had played for Gateshead, and players are always keen to put one over their former club."

While Bogie looks to bring in four more players, he has given young goalkeeper Paul Farman a vote of confidence.

"Farman has been outstanding in the last two games and did well last season. We need to have two goalkeepers, but another keeper is not the number one priority at the moment.

"Hopefully I'll have some new faces in the side to face Sunderland and Newcastle next week, either signings or trialists."

Bogie also had good news on the injury front.

"Carl Jones has had an x ray on the foot injury he picked up during the Harrogate game and has been given the all clear.

"Craig Nelthorpe and Jonny Allan both have groin injuries but should be involved next week, and I'm hoping that Jon Shaw will return to training in the near future.

"If he doesn't feature against Sunderland then he should be ok for the Newcastle game on Friday week and he'll doubtless be keen to play at The Shay the following Tuesday against one of his former clubs, Halifax Town.

"James Curtis will have an x ray on his broken metatarsal on August 2nd. If the bone is fully fused he'll be able to step up his rehab and he may be available for the start of the season.

"It all depends on how quick the injury heals and the outcome of the x ray - but fingers crossed."