Heed boss Watson calls for change
GATESHEAD LEYTON ORIENT
GATESHEAD ended a difficult National League campaign in 17th place after their defensive frailties were exposed by Leyton Orient.
The Heed had not lost against the O’s in three meetings this season, but they were second best in this final-day clash.
The Tynesiders gave as good as they got in an entertaining first half but there was no way back after they conceded a second goal after the break.
By the hour mark, the O’s were three up and their 400-strong travelling support were sent home happy.
Gateshead manager Steve Watson, concerned that he will now lose key players due to the uncertainty at the club, has called for change.
“This club needs a massive culture change from top to bottom,” said Watson. “It needs a spark and life pumped into it.
“We need to breed winners and get a stronger mental strength, because we’re just not mentally strong enough at the moment.
“Too many times there’s been a collapse. You’re looking for leaders and warriors and we need to address that in the summer.
“We continue to make the same mistakes. It’s been a very bad end to the season – a disaster.
Gateshead could have been behind against a lively and committed Orient side after just three minutes.
Josh Koroma’s deflected strike thudded against the post and Macaulay Bonne’s follow-up was superbly tipped over by Dan Hanford.
It was an early warning that went unheeded and the Londoners had the lead by the 17th minute.
Poor marking was punished when McAnnuff swung in a corner and Bonne powered a header into the roof of the net.
The O’s doubled their lead on 53 minutes when former Crystal Palace, Watford and Reading winger McAnuff, 36, showed his quality with a great strike into the top corner.
It was a blow from which Gateshead never recovered and Koroma cut inside to find the bottom corner from just outside the box to ensure the Heed would end the campaign on a low note.
An Ebou Adams foul on another Heed sub, Rees Greenwood, then saw Johnson grab a late consolation from the penalty spot – off-the-field matters are now the sole focus.
JEFF BOWRON