Gateshead remain second in the National League despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Oldham. A powerful 10th-minute effort by Tyrelle Newton fired Gateshead ahead and they stayed in front at the break. But Micky Mellon’s Oldham returned much-improved for the second half and secured a deserved 55th-minute leveller when Dan Gardner’s free-kick found Manny Monthe, who finished impressively. And the hosts almost came away with three points when Jean Belehouan’s back pass went beyond Gateshead goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks but it hit the post. Match report supplied by PA Media.
Oldham's Dominance
Latics were particularly dominant in the second half, after going into the break 1-0 down and re-setting. Manny Monthe cancelled out Tyrelle Newton's 10th minute opener early in the second half, and Latics knocked on the door several times in search of a potential winner but could not find a way through. But Mellon, who named James Norwood in the side for the first time this season after injury, was encouraged by their endeavour and attacking impetus.
"When we're poor I saw we're poor, but we should have won that, out of sight," said the Latics boss.
"If you take those chances it's a different game. We're not just talking about speculative drives, we're talking about side-footers in the six-yard box, one that came off the post, I don't know how that doesn't go in, one that's squared back, I don't know how we don't put that in. We have a few.
"We had so many chances, so many opportunities, we were the team in the ascendency, they were struggling to get out of their own half. And I think they're a good team by the way, I like the way they play, but in the second half we looked a really good team.
"The players take a tremendous amount of credit for how they performed, and they're disappointed (with the result), which is a good sign. They're disappointed they haven't won against a good side.
"When they (Gateshead) get a goal up they're very difficult to play against because they have a numerical advantage at the back and they work the overload very well at the back and it makes it difficult to go and get after them. They're good at it. But when we came in at half-time and we re-jigged things and we re-organised things and worked out a trigger that when we were going to go they found it a bit more difficult.
"And when we had the ball we certainly knocked it around much better and got ourselves into some great areas but didn't take the chances. That's the difference. I keep saying that, you've got to take your chances if you're going to win games of football and unfortunately today we didn't."
Rebound After First Defeat
But Mellon was pleased with the response to their first defeat of the season at Aldershot just 48 hours earlier.
"We've watched the (Aldershot) game back again and we massively contributed to our own downfall, again missing a good opportunity to get that first goal, but the goals that we gave away are just poor and we make it very difficult for ourselves," he said.
"Coming off the back of a strange game on Saturday, so Saturday-Monday, and so many of them having to go again...for the players to come back and show the character that they did, especially in the second half when they've played two games in three days, and had to travel from Aldershot and didn't get back until late, shows you where they're at as a group.
"I'm really pleased with the group that we have, there's a really good culture among them, really good determination to want to fight for the football club and getting results."
Missed Opportunities and Positive Signs
Manny Monthe equalised but Latics missed a number of chances (Image: Phill Smith)
Despite the disappointment of drawing a match in which they were dominant, Mellon was quick to acknowledge the positives from the performance, particularly the strong second-half showing following a difficult first half. He also highlighted the character displayed by his players in responding to their first defeat of the season, a testament to the team's growing confidence and desire.
The manager's focus on missed opportunities underlines the importance of converting chances in football, a crucial aspect of winning games. However, he also emphasized the positive aspects of the performance, including the team's improved second half, their determination to fight for the club, and the development of a strong team culture. This balanced perspective provides a comprehensive understanding of Oldham's performance, highlighting both the challenges and the encouraging signs moving forward.
