Unlike their neighbours across the Tyne, Gateshead are a club with marked ambition. With a new stadium and potential Football League status on the horizon the future looks bright for Gary Mills and his players. Even the notoriously static attendances are in the ascendancy at the International Stadium. Over 800 fans turned up for this crucial fixture.
The Heed edged closer to a play-off place with a dominant win over close rivals Lincoln City. A solid central defensive pairing and three classy goals proved the difference for the home side against one of the many ex-League sides competing in this year's Conference.
After a scrappy opening Gateshead took control of the first half, getting their reward with two quality goals. The first arrived after 34 minutes when former Chesterfield ace Jack Lester (still going strong aged 38) pirouetted on the edge of the box and slung his left foot finish into the bottom corner.
On the eve of half time Lincoln were undone again after Jamie Chandler, having regularly threatened with some intelligible runs from midfield, saw the ball fall kindly to him inside the box.
At the break Gary Simpson made two changes for the visitors. Within two minutes the Imps boss found his alterations swing the balance as substitute Jon Nolan netted a rebound from 'keeper Adam Bartlett's quick parry.
Lincoln then pushed for an equaliser but Ben Clark and James Curtis, forming an impenetrable rock in the home defence, proved equal to the challenge. Home hearts were eventually relieved when JJ O'Donell's wriggling run on the left wing ended with a cutback to Ryan Noble who lashed his shot on target.
In the final moments Lincoln defender Thierry Audel compounded his team's woes with an impetuous stamp on Chandler. Little could be debated about the straight red shown to the Frenchman.
A decent contingent of away fans appeared to be in good voice but they were barely audible across the stadium's running track. The athletics pitch may not be an ideal venue for non-league soccer but it is more comfortable than the wind swept terraces of the North East and you will never be short of a good seat. It is certainly better than the nomadic existence the club endured last season, having to travel to seven different host venues after problems with their local turf.
Could the Heed make their long awaited return to league football in 2014? That date may be too soon but the following year is definitely a feasible target.
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