Not a dream start to Wembley hopes
GATESHEAD face a week of destiny as they bid to reach Wembley in the Buildbase FA Trophy for the first time.
The Heed are in Kent tomorrow for a first-leg semi-final tie against Bromley, guaranteeing one National League side will be in the final.
Bromley only booked their place in the last four on Wednesday when they beat Spennymoor Town 2-1 in a quarter-final replay at Darlington.
Neither the Heed nor Bromley’s preparations for the first leg – which will be played on a 3G surface at Hayes Lane – have been ideal.
Bromley have only had two days’ recovery time while Gateshead played all but 11 minutes of their league game on Tuesday with 10 men.
Rees Greenwood’s early dismissal left his side light-handed as the resilient Tynesiders still battled to a 2-2 draw against Solihull Moors.
Greenwood’s impact off the bench will be missing in the two semi-final clashes as the former Sunderland man sits out a three-match suspension.
Boss Steve Watson said: “We had to work harder with 10 men but it was not ideal for Bromley having to play on Wednesday, so it might even itself out.
“Having an extra day to recover will help us physically but I don’t expect us to have a huge advantage because of that.
“Bromley have some good footballers and are on their home pitch, which they are used to, and I am under no illusion about how difficult it is going to be.
“I am not a big fan of playing fulltime football on artificial pitches and prefer grass and it is two huge games we have this week.”
Gateshead have drawn all three matches on plastic pitches this season, and have had a man sent off in two of the games.
The Heed’s most experienced player Russell Penn is set to replace cup-tied and injured Burton Albion loanee Ben Fox.
Other than Fox and Greenwood, Watson will have a full squad to select from against a side also looking to reach the Trophy final for the first time.
Gateshead go into the tie on the back of a five-game unbeaten run where they have racked up an impressive 16 goals.
Watson added: “The mood among the lads is great. Like me they are looking forward to the game and are desperate to get to Wembley.
“That would be massive for everyone concerned at Gateshead and it is important we are still in the tie next weekend.
“We have to be positive as we need to score goals to get through to Wembley. The ideal scenario would be to come home with a lead.” Steve Watson
Having an extra day to recover will help us physically, but I don’t expect us to have a huge advantage