Gateshead suffered their first pre-season defeat with a 4-1 loss to South Shields on Tuesday night, but manager Lee Cattermole remains positive about his team's progress ahead of the new National League campaign. The Heed will next face Altrincham away on 2027-02-16, currently sitting 7th in the table.
What happened in the match?
South Shields dominated the first half, taking a 3-0 lead with goals from Caden Kelly, Sonny Finch and Cewdyn Scott. Paul Blackett extended their advantage early in the second half before Luke Supyk pulled one back for Gateshead. Despite the heavy defeat, Cattermole praised his players' efforts after their strong performance against Newcastle United just days earlier.
Why Cattermole remains optimistic
The former Sunderland midfielder acknowledged the challenge of facing a well-rested South Shields side just days after his team's exertions against Premier League opposition. "The players put out 110km on Saturday against the ball for 90 minutes," he explained, highlighting the physical toll of their previous match. Cattermole believes the defeat provides valuable learning experiences as his team prepares for the upcoming season.
What comes next for Gateshead?
With pre-season winding down, Cattermole is still looking to strengthen his squad, particularly in attacking areas. The departure of Levi Amantchi to Kidderminster Harriers has left Ash Boatswain and Dom Telford as the only senior strikers. The manager emphasized that any new signings must fit his physical and tactical requirements. "It has to be the right one," he stated, adding that he's pleased with the current squad's development.
