A Wembley double is aim for Watson
BUOYANT Gateshead manager Steve Watson believes the Heed can reach Wembley not only in the FA Trophy - but in the league as well.
Gateshead reached the last four of the FA Trophy for only the second time when they beat Leyton Orient 3-2 in a quarter-final replay.
It was a Tuesday night thriller on the banks of the Tyne with Danny Johnson scoring twice and Richard Peniket getting a late winner.
It was a case of deja vu as Johnson’s double and Peniket’s 90th minute header had earned the Heed a 3-3 draw in the original tie at Brisbane Road.
Watson’s men will now play either Bromley or Spennymoor Town in a two-legged semi-final on 17th and 24th March.
Such was the quality of Gateshead’s play in the opening 45 minutes on Tuesday that Watson has not written off a surge for the play-offs as well.
Watson said: “If we can put performances together for 90 minutes like we did for most of the first half against Leyton Orient two trips to Wembley is not out of the question.
“That was some of the best football since I’ve been at Gateshead. The interplay and speed of play was all excellent.
“There still might be another team we’ve got to get past before we can relax and hopefully think about Wembley in the Trophy.
“There’s a lot of hard work still to do and with Spennymoor’s replay against Bromley postponed on Tuesday I might get the chance to watch the game.
“I’ve come to Gateshead to be very ambitious, to try and be successful and win trophies.
“The play-offs were always an aim.
“To have my first management job and have the chance to win a trophy is tremendous for me and everyone in the dressing room.
“It’s something that you would remember for the rest of your life, but we’ve got some very important league games coming up.
“We’ve got to put the Trophy to bed for now, get some points in the league and see where it takes us.”
Gateshead have two home games in four days coming up ahead of their big FA Trophy semifinal games, which will attract big gates.
Mid-table Maidenhead United are on Tyneside this weekend followed by relegation battlers Solihull Moors on Tuesday.