Watson Won’t Be Down Despite The Stones Late Rally

Steve Watson and his Gateshead side were so close to the FA Trophy quarter finals they could almost taste it.

But Lady Luck wasn’t on their side in Kent this afternoon. After scoring so many late goals lately, the shoe was this time on the other foot.

Jai Reason’s 90th minute leveller means it’s a replay - this after the Stones hit back from being a goal down during a thrilling second half.

Watson said it was a hard moment to swallow at the Gallagher Stadium by a second game against opposition they know so well having just met in the league holds no fears.

“It’s frustrating being so close to being through,” said the Heed boss. “It’s a big deflection and we count ourselves unlucky to not already be in the hat.

“We were the better side in the first half, we worked their keeper much more than they worked ours. He pulled off one unbelievable save from Danny Johnson.

“The second half was more even but the great thing about the lads at the moment is that they don’t know when they are beaten.”

They shot themselves in front after the Stones took the lead and their attacking play pleases the manager.

“You have got to be happy with the spirit, and have got to be happy being another game unbeaten,” he said.

“The two goals Maidstone scores were ugly goals - deflections, and our lads seem to think the last one is offside.

“But we are still in the hat. We’ll be in the draw on Monday and by the time the replay comes around on Tuesday night we will both know who we could be playing in the quarter finals.

“We are potentially four games from Wembley so this is a huge deal for us.”

Where next?

Merson Can Go On To Great Things... Just Not Quite Yet! St Albans City boss Ian Allinson reckons there are few strikers as good as Sam Merson outside the Football League - and wants him to one day prove his EFL worth.
Saturday's Round-Up: Vanarama National League South It was a bad Saturday for the leaders in the Vanarama National League South.

Gateshead Video playlist

Match Center

Vanarama National League North
Vanarama National League South

Latest photos

Banbury United 0 South Shields 3
46 photos
Curzon Ashton 4 Banbury United 1
82 photos
Curzon Ashton 4 Banbury United 1
44 photos