Big crowd can give the Heed boost

GATESHEAD manager Steve Watson believes a good crowd against Leyton Orient on Saturday can help his side return to winning ways.

The Heed began the season with three straight wins, last weeks away trips to Boreham Wood and Bromley yielding just one point.

Watson’s men lie fifth in the table, a point ahead of an unbeaten Orient managed by former Tottenham defender Justin Edinburgh.

Gateshead’s home opener against Salford City attracted a crowd of 1,264 to the International Stadium.

Four days later a weekend fixture against Dover Athletic saw almost 600 fewer Heed fans attend that game.

It is a disparity that Watson hopes is put right this Saturday with Newcastle not playing until Sunday and Sunderland at Wimbledon.

Season tickets holders at both Newcastle and Sunderland get a third off the admission price for Gateshead’s home games in the National League.

Watson said: “Having a good following in the Tyne & Wear stand behind you makes all the difference, as we saw against Salford.

“There were more than 1,100 Gateshead fans at that game and it made for a great atmosphere and helped us get the win.

“We have started well at home and have to find ways of making the International Stadium a place teams don’t want to come to.

“Having good support is one of them and with Leyton Orient being one of the biggest clubs in the division it’s an attractive game.

“They have a rich history in the Football League and the games we had against them last season were all good ones.”

Gateshead played the O’s on four occasions, including an FA Trophy quarter-final that went to two games and produced 11 goals.

Three of the Tynesiders’ next four games are on home soil, Maidstone and unbeaten newcomers Harrogate Town the other two games.