Heed Will be a force this season - Mike
FORMER Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson believes Gateshead have ‘match-winners’ all over the pitch and can defy their pre-season doubters.
The 34-year-old enjoyed a winning start on his competitive debut on Saturday for the Tynesiders, who are surprise joint leaders of the Vanarama National League.
Luke Armstrong’s 87th-minute goal – his fourth in three games – was enough for the Heed to grab all three points against bogey team Dover Athletic in a 2-1 victory at the International Stadium.
Dover again took to the skies to travel the length of the country to Tyneside - but they had their wings clipped by Armstrong’s late strike.
The Boro loanee is on fire and Gateshead have shocked many with their excellent start to the season, which has seen them score seven goals and even beat pre-season title favourites Salford City.
It was not pretty against an uncompromising Dover – it rarely is – but Steve Watson’s young side got the job done.
After a summer of upheaval and the budget halved you would have been given long odds for a new-look Gateshead to open the campaign in such stellar style.
Yet Maidenhead, Salford and now Dover have all been beaten to leave the Heed one of four clubs with nine points alongside Chesterfield, Halifax and Solihull Moors.
Robbie Tinkler notched his first goal for the club with a header to cancel out Jamie Allen’s opener. As the match seemed to heading towards a draw, Armstrong popped up with the winner. Williamson played his first competitive 90 minutes since January and put in a good shift, almost scoring a debut goal. His header from Greg Olley’s corner clipped the bar, the 34-year-old adding height, physicality and vast experience to a young squad.
Williamson said: “It was a tough game.
“You are going to get that against teams like Dover and we had to stand up and be counted and win the battle.
“Second half we relaxed more on the ball and it opened up a bit.
“It was a tough test and for me it was 90 minutes under my belt.
“I feel I am only going to get fitter and stronger and grow into it.
“It is something I am really looking forward to.
“The lads have been fantastic in every game.
“They have honesty and energy and are very good footballers.
“It is just about trying to build the consistency.
“If we can stay in games we have match-winners all over the pitch.”
All three goals conceded this season have come from crosses into the box, Tinkler levelling with a free header Connor Franks could not stop on the line.
With a draw looming Jack Hunter found substitute Steven Rigg, whose shot deflected into the path of Armstrong - and within a flash the ball was in the far corner.
It is just about trying to build the consistency. If we can stay in games we have match-winners all over the pitch Mike Williamson