Preston heaps more misery on Gateshead
JORDAN Preston was one of a host of players who left Gateshead in the summer due to the uncertainty surrounding the club.
With the playing budget halved and all signs pointing towards a difficult season in store, Preston jumping ship to sign for Halifax Town.
And yesterday he inflicted yet more misery on the Tynesiders by scoring the only goal to condemn them to defeat.
The 1-0 loss means Gateshead have taken just one point from their two Bank Holiday fixtures.
And after opening the season with three consecutive wins, Steve Watson’s men are now without a victory in their subsequent four games.
Only two goals have been scored during that period. The Heed have also conceded in each of their seven games.
Watson said: “I’d rather we went down playing great football, quick, attacking, exciting football than what was on show at stages today.
“We’re not using their age as an excuse any more. The good footballers need to find a way to produce a performance week in, week out with the ball.
“Some of the lads who can out-pass teams like Halifax didn’t do enough with the ball and ultimately we didn’t create enough to win the game.
“We conceded a sloppy goal just before half-time and there was no zest or real belief in the shooting.
“We are a good side and we have to believe that. They train unbelievably well and I want to see them have the confidence to put that into a game.” Just as in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient, Gateshead followed an indifferent first half with a much better showing in the second. At the weekend it brought a late goal but in front of a 1,688 crowd at The Shay, the Heed fired blanks.
But this time a mistake in midfield proved crucial as Matty Kosylo set up Preston to fire home just before the break.
That strike proved enough to separate two teams who had drawn nine of their 10 meetings, while Gateshead continued to hunt in vain for an equaliser that never came. Home games against Maidstone and Harrogate Town give Gateshead the chance to get back on track. “It’s a long season and there’s so many twists and turns in this league that we can 100% go and win the next game,” Watson said.
We conceded a sloppy goal just before half-time and there was no zest or real belief in the shooting Steve Watson (right)