Archived News from December 2009
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HOLDSWORTH, HOTCHKISS, LEE MORRIS REACTION
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Gateshead lacking style and substance
by Steve Brown, Evening Chronicle GATESHEAD must improve their attacking possession and set-play defending to prosper in Blue Square Premier, Jeff Wrightson has warned. The Tynesiders lost 3-1 to high-flying Mansfield Town at the rain and wind-swept International Stadium last night. Leading through Michael Mackay's opener on the stroke of half-time, the hosts succumbed in a second half which saw the weather worsen in their faces, increasing their vulnerability to set pieces. On the hour, Sunderland-born Olly Hotchkiss' breeze-backed free-kick flew past Paul Farman and, 10 minutes later, Andy Burgess' corner swirled over the Gateshead keeper's head, off Craig Baxter on the line, and in. Lee Morris' goal, three minutes into added time, merely rubbed salt in, and Gateshead assistant manager Wrightson said: “We're disappointed more than anything. “We put ourselves in a good position to go on and win the game, 1-0 up at half-time, but we've sat back. They obviously had the wind and the rain at their backs, pushing them on. “But I think in sitting back, we've invited them on more than we should have done and ultimately we've lost the game from two set-plays again, from a corner and a free-kick. We should be dealing with those a lot better by now. “Unfortunately, I didn't see their second. It sounds a bit like Arsene Wenger but I didn't see it because I was talking to the two lads that we were looking to bring on at that time. “By all accounts it's just flown in, and (Craig) Baxter's had a header on the back post into the roof of the net. We've said to the lads that I think we've had four or five corners in the first half and our delivery was absolutely atrocious. “They've put a couple of corners in and caused us all sorts of problems, just with that little bit of quality on the ball which we didn't have. “I felt when we went in at 1-0 it maybe favoured us a little bit, but we knew with the wind behind them they would cause us problems. We just didn't deal with it well enough. “In possession, we then gave the ball away cheaply, and why did we persist in trying to play the ball up in the air to the centre-forwards? “Ultimately we should be playing on the floor and playing a bit of possession into the front lads' feet or bringing the wide lads in. That's what we've got to learn from, to do better in possession when we have it.” ------------- David Holdsworth audio interview from BBC Radio Nottingham http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8377474.stm Lee Morris immediately after the match, from BBC Radio Nottingham here David Holdsworth post match, plus commentary of the goals, from BBC Radio Nottingham here --------------------- Hotchkiss happy to have played a part in Stags' win Evening Post OLLIE Hotchkiss enjoyed a dream night in his native north-east by setting Mansfield on their way to victory over Gateshead then admitted: "I've been itching to make a contribution." http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Hotchkiss-happy-played-Stags-win/article-1567160-detail/article.html? The central midfielder missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Ebbsfleet with a private family matter. But he came on as a substitute at the International Stadium and scored a terrific 25-yard free-kick to equalise before Mansfield went on to run out 3-1 victors. "I only live just down the road (in Sunderland) so I was able to get up a 12noon while the lads had a long journey up – maybe that's why I did well," joked Hotchkiss. "I was delighted with my contribution and I told the gaffer on Monday I was itching for the chance. "My touch felt good and so did my passing, the rhythm was there, so I was confident with the free-kick. "Burg (Andy Burgess) had one in the first half, so I was determined to take it and I saw the keeper going one way, so I put it the other. "Luckily it has gone in and I went crazy - I took the skin off my knees! "From what I heard, Saturday was pretty poor, so this was a fantastic win." ------------------------ Holdsworth happy with Stags fightback CHAD.co.uk, 01 December 2009 By John Lomas AFTER the tongue-lashing he dished out to his players after Saturday's defeat at Ebbsfleet, Mansfield boss David Holdsworth was delighted with his side's response as they came from behind to win 3-1 in the wind and rain at Gateshead on Tuesday night. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Holdsworth-happy-with-Stags-fightback.5874640.jp? "I do not suffer defeats easily," he said. "But anyone with a doubt about our team spirit had it shoved back down their throats tonight. The boys were immense. "I felt we dominated the whole game and were unfortunate to go in 1-0 down at half-time when a slight lapse in concentration cost us. "I knew we would have the work rate. Then you need a bit of luck but I felt we earned our luck tonight. They were three excellent goals and I was delighted. "Coming to places like this in midweek in this sort of weather is a test of character. It was a great performance in this weather after four and a half hours on a bus. "I thought our fans showed their dedication to this club as well tonight and want to thank them. I hope they have gone home happy." Leeds loanee Ollie Hotchkiss put Stags level with a brilliant free kick and Holdsworth said:"Ollie Hotchkiss is a breath of fresh air. He was away at the weekend due to a private matter but he showed his qualities tonight and his execution of the free kick was wonderful." Then new signing Andy Burgess scored direct from a corner, a feat he almost repeated twice to show it was no fluke from his cultured left foot. "Andy Burgess was told to put the ball into dangerous areas in the conditions and he kept doing so. The corner beat a very good goalkeeper in Paul Farman," said Holdsworth." On the final strike by fellow new signing, striker Lee Morris, Holdsworth added: "Lee Morris has had a very tough time for whatever reason recently, nothing to do with me, but I am aware of his quality. "Louis Briscoe had put so much effort in on a difficult pitch, he ruined their left back on a number of occasions, that I asked Lee if he would go on and do a job for me down the right. "He said 'Reg, I will play anywhere for you'. I will fine him for calling me Reg but he did score a cracking goal!" Holdsworth also paid tribute to striker Kyle Perry, who despite being laid up with a thigh problem, made a surprise return tonight with fellow strikers Rob Duffy and Jake Speight missing. "As a young manager you learn who is on your side and who isn't and Kyle Perry showed a fantastic spirit tonight, getting off his sick bed and putting in that sort of performance," said Holdsworth. "I though he was outstanding leading the line tonight and he has a whacking great big heart." ----------------------------- |
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