Match Report -
Home Game Hoodoo Continues
By Iain Benson
Celtic put in a good gritty performance, but the home game hoodoo continues.

An even game throughout, it was defensive errors that let both teams in. Celtic were the first to slip up at the back, when Wayne Phillips low cross from the edge of the box bypassed three Celtic players and Novak, only for Harwood to be unmarked six yards out, and he smashed his shot into the roof of the net.

Coming from behind again, Celtic continued to look committed, and the back line played well, and the front pairing of Meechan and Barlow caused some problems, with the pair linking up with Torpey for Barlow to flick his header past the post off Torpey's cross, before Briggs forced Provett into action for the first time, though the shot from the edge of the box lacked the bite to trouble him. At the other end, Wayne Phillips forced Paul Phillips into a good diving stop.

Celtic got back on terms through Meechan's cool head, latching onto a poor headed back-pass, Provett had looked favourite, but Meechan snuck in and lifted a lobbed shot over the stranded Gateshead keeper, it was a difficult shot and Meechan took it very well. He had a chance to add to it just before half time, but Provett pulled out an excellent stop at full stretch and also keeping hold of the ball.

The second half continued to be an entertaining game of football as both sides prodded and probed for the win. The legs of Phillips denied Turnbull, Novak's drive lacked the power to trouble the Celtic keeper and substitute Broadbent blazed wide when it looked easier to score. At the other end, Briggs's header was on target but straight at Provett, whilst Barwick's cheeky long range shot was narrowly over the bar. Barlow received the ball just outside the six yard box, and teed himself up superbly, but his volley on the turn was straight down the middle to Provett's relief.

The game looked to be heading for a draw, but when Broadbent took the ball around Phillips and collided with him right on the edge of the box, the referee had to award a penalty. Novak stepped up and coolly powered the ball into the net.

Meechan got a couple of half chances in the last ten minutes, but Gateshead controlled their lead well in the dying minutes, and Celtic chalk up another home defeat.

1Provett, Jim  
2Baxter, Craig  
3Cave, Kris  
4Gate, Kris  
5Curtis, James  
6Jones, Carl  
7Harwood, Jamie  
8Turnbull, Phil  
9Turnbull, Steve  > 58
10Novak, Lee  
11Phillips, Wayne  
12Francis, Alex  
14Smith, Dan  
15Broadbent, Dan  < 58
16Hocking, Matt  
17Musslewhite, Paul  
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