Cooke fires Town to Wembley success
Gateshead – 0
FC Halifax Town – 1
J Cooke 44’
14th May 2023
A solitary Jamie Cooke goal was enough for FC Halifax Town to lift the FA Trophy against a much-depleted Gateshead at Wembley, the second of the non-league finals day games much like the first in being a very tight affair, settled by a somewhat fortuitous rebound just seconds before half-time.
Supporters of the West Yorkshire club saw their side raise the Trophy for the second time in just seven years, the first also a single goal victory against opponents whose name began with the letter ‘G’, when they defeated Grimsby Town back in 2016.
For those looking for omens, the last time Town won this competition, they followed up with a successful promotion season the year after, albeit having been relegated whilst hoisting the trophy aloft at Wembley Stadium!
For Gateshead it was a disappointing afternoon in the capital, ravaged by injuries throughout the squad, the team on the pitch battled for ninety minutes and were only undone by a cruel twist of fate late in the first half, from which they could not recover.
An early chance for The Heed saw Adam Campbell in behind only for Town defender Jack Senior to block the danger, whilst at the other end keeper James Montgomery saved well from Rob Harker although a raised flag would have denied otherwise.
Tyler Golden & Louis Storey had chances for Gateshead, whilst Owen Bailey headed onto the roof of the net from a Halifax corner, followed closely by Angelo Cappello dragging wide of the far post but then moments later came the only goal of the game.
With Millenic Alli dispossessed just outside the box, Storey attempted to lay back to his keeper unaware that Cooke was lurking behind him, the Town man managed to charge down the clearance from Montgomery with the ball rebounding off him and bouncing into the empty net.
After the break Bailey headed wide for Gateshead whilst Montgomery saved from Alli at the other end, but clear-cut chances were very few and far between; the Heed keeper denying the Shaymen a second as he blocked a Jack Hunter effort.
The Tyne & Wear outfit had two late chances to force extra-time, Sam Johnson saved well from a Kamil Conteh eighteen-yard drive, the second effort from Campbell never had any real venom to endanger the Halifax net, and they held out despite several minutes of added on time. F/T: 0-1
Attendance: 27,374
Please Note: If you use any of our material or images, please ensure you credit sportsshots.org.uk
