Former Sunderland academy defender Tommy Lavery penned a two-year deal with National League club Gateshead last month.

Gateshead manager Lee Cattermole praised former Sunderland youngster Tommy Lavery after he produced an impressive display in his side’s pre-season friendly draw with Newcastle United.

The Academy of Light product earned senior experience during loan spells with Cliftonville and FC Halifax Town last season - and will now hope to make a big impact as he takes the next step in his career in the colours of the Heed. Lavery made his first appearance in front of Gateshead fans on Saturday as they battled their way to an impressive draw against a Magpies side containing the likes Fabian Schar, Jacob Murphy and summer signing Sean Steur.

Gateshead defender Tommy Lavery battles for possession with Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy (photo Tyler Lopes) | Tyler Lopes

placeholder image — Gateshead defender Tommy Lavery battles for possession with Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy (photo Tyler Lopes) | Tyler Lopes

The Heed took the lead ten minutes before half-time when New Zealand Under-20 international Luke Supyk fired beyond United goalkeeper Nick Pope after a Billy Chadwick free-kick had been deflected into his path. An own goal from Heed defender Ben Williams with just over ten minutes left on the clock ensured the Magpies avoided a defeat against their National League neighbours.

Lavery’s performance caught the eye as the former Black Cats youngster limited the impact made by the likes of Harvey Barnes and Lewis Hall and he draw praise from his new manager as he took another step towards his first season with the Heed.

“Tommy was great and he’s growing all of the time,” explained Heed boss Cattermole. “In the first week, hmmm, the second week, come on then, this week, he’s been brilliant so I am buzzing for him. It was a great performance and hopefully he can go on and have a good season for us.”

Discipline

Newcastle United striker Sean Neave fires at goal during the Magpies 1-1 draw at Gateshead (photo Tyler Lopes) | Tyler Lopes

Gateshead’s draw with the Magpies ensured Cattermole’s side preserved their unbeaten record during their pre-season campaign - but it was the discipline and concentration shown during a major test of their defensive setup that caught the eye at the International Stadium.

Cattermole stressed his players can’t afford to get carried away with the draw - but took time to praise his players for a performance that he believes should make them ‘unbelievably proud’.

He said: “I said to the boys we aren’t going to get carried away because it's a pre-season game - but in terms of the three weeks of work we’ve done, we have got to be unbelievably proud of that performance from the lads with the buy-in and the fitness levels, the work-rate, the discipline, the shape, everything about the performance. That’s what we are trying to create, that’s what we want to do and for me, as a coach and manager, you want these results just to keep the momentum going and keep the buy-in from the players. I was over the moon with them.

“It was such a hard game in terms of the quality, the pace, the movement and for us, it was about the discipline, staying in shape, controlling the distances between each other and then impress when we can. It only works if every one is at it and if one isn’t at it, we get caught out, but they were brilliant.”