Heed Hav an away victory to celebrate
Watson’s men warm up for Cup derby in style
GATESHEAD warmed up for Saturday’s crunch FA Cup derby at Dunston UTS with a 1-0 win at Havant and Waterlooville.
The lunchtime showdown with Dunston will now occupy Heed thoughts after victory in Hampshire took them up to seventh in the National League.
To be in a play-off position a third of the way into the season is a great effort from boss Steve Watson and his players.
They head across town to take on unbeaten Dunston this weekend on the back of an impressive four wins from five.
Former Carlisle striker Steven Rigg was the Heed’s hero at Havant as a 675-mile round trip proved worthwhile.
Rigg had just hit the post when he rose at the back post to head Scott Barrow’s corner into the roof of the net.
The Cumbrian now has five goals, the same as fellow summer signing Scott Boden and Boro loanee Luke Armstrong.
Rigg said: “Everyone loves a 1-0 away win and we have stopped conceding goals at bad times, which is always helpful.
“With a clean sheet the defence is happy, the goalkeeper is happy and it sends everyone home on a high.
“I felt at half-time there were definitely goals in the game and we could probably have had more if we had found the final pass or got shots away.
“It was just nice to get on the scoresheet again and help us get three points.
“We are in a good position in the table.
“However, we are still capable of playing better and really kicking on.”
No side in the fifth tier has won more away games than Gateshead’s five from eight and they have conceded just five goals in the process.
Off the pace in the first half at the Westleigh Stadium, the Heed upped the ante after the break as Havant’s winless run stretched to seven games.
It was a victory achieved without new England C international Robbie Tinkler - but fellow England man Jon Mellish played the full game.
The defender said: “I have had a really long week, with a lot of travelling up and down the country, but I have really enjoyed it.
“It was nice going away with England but coming away with Gateshead and playing in a win makes it even better.”
Gateshead will now switch their attention to reaching the first round of the FA Cup with £25,000 in prize money riding on Saturday’s clash.