Gateshead 1-3 Dundee United

28/07/2012, by Jeff Bowron

Gateshead gave an improved performance in an entertaining friendly against Scottish outfit Dundee United on Tyneside.

The Heed were the better side in the opening half hour but fell behind on 37 minutes to United's first serious threat on goal.

The visitors could then have increased their lead before Yemi Odubade levelled from the penalty spot.

Two goals in the last 20 minutes, however, saw Dundee United, 4th in the SPL last season, ease home.

The Tangerines next test is a formidable one against Russian giants Moscow Dynamo in the UEFA Cup.

James Brown spearheaded the Gateshead attack with Odubade and James Marwood providing the width.

As early as the first minute Odubade eased past Brian McLean to put in a cross that Brown headed just wide.

Central defenders Chris Bush and James Curtis then combined, Bush's cross hit first time by Curtis but straight at Radoslaw Cierzniak.

Brown was then denied by a handball outside the box by Cierzniak that went unpunished by card, Josh Gillies' free kick deflecting off the wall for a corner.

It was a bright start by the home side who again employed captain Ben Clark in an unaccustomed midfield role with Bush and Curtis the central defensive pairing.

The Tangerines threatened down the left without producing clear openings but Gateshead continued to create.

Bush, found by Carl Magnay, dragged a shot wide of the far post when well placed 16 yards out

The lively Odubade was also off target but it was United who broke the deadlock against the run of of play.

Curtis's headed clearance dropped for Johnny Russell who chested the ball down to finish clinically from just outside the box.

Former Hartlepool striker Jon Daly should have made it two from close in as the Scotts finished the half strongly.

Ex Boro schemer Willo Flood was then inches wide straight after the break before The Heed levelled ten minutes in.

Gillies' shot ricocheted off Sean Dillon onto Richie Ryan's hand and Odubade sent Cierzniak the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The second half was an open affair with both sides creating chances, Dundee United the greater amount.

Daly's angled shot was parried by Adam Bartlett while Micky Cummins headed just wide at the other end.

The dangerous Russell's dink over Bartlett just cleared the bar before United regained the lead on 71 minutes.

Mark Millar's powerful 25 yard drive took a slight deflection on it's way into the top corner.

Nathan Fisher, policed by three United defenders, had a shot saved low to Cirzniak's left while Daly's free header was parried by Bartlett.

Michael Gardyne then put the issue beyond doubt when he stooped unchallenged to head the visitor's third goal five minutes from time.

Gateshead: Bartlett, Magnay , Boyle (Galpin 74), Clark (Cummins 46), Curtis (Wilson 46), Bush, Brown (Fisher 61), Turnbull, Marwood (Hatch 46), Odubade, Gillies (Carr 72)
Sub (not used): Nixon (gk)

Dundee United: Cirzniak, Watson, Douglas, McLean, Dillon, Flood (Millar 65), Ryan, Rankin (Armstrong 53), Daly, Russell (Dow 73), Steven (Gardyne 48)
Subs (not used): Banks (gk), Hilson, Robertson, Barrett

Referee: Ross Joyce (Middlesbrough )

Attendance: 326

Micky Cummins