Moors call-off leaves Heed with free week
GATESHEAD run the risk of losing ground in the race for the play-offs after tonight’s home game against Solihull Moors was called off.
The Tynesiders have been drawn at Salford City in the first round of the FA Trophy on December 15.
It is one of the toughest ties the Heed could have received with Salford, the National League title favourites - £6,000 going to the winners.
However, it is league matters which remain the immediate focus with a full programme in the National League tonight.
The games at Gateshead and Halifax are the only absentees, the Heed agreeing to Solihull’s request to reschedule the game.
Solihull have a televised FA Cup tie against Blackpool on Friday and they will now visit Gateshead on Tuesday January 8.
A home victory tonight would have closed the gap on the Moors to one point - but Watson is prepared to play the waiting game.
He said: “We are not in the business of doing people favours, so it certainly was not a favour to Solihull.
“We looked at it and the fact it was in between two very long London trips and two tough away games.
“We will have a better chance of having more energy for Orient this weekend and of beating Solihull after the Christmas schedule and a home game.
“We thought that would be the case and as long as it does not cause too many upsets with fans’ travelling arrangements it is the right thing to do.”
After a good win at Barnet, the Heed are back in London this weekend to take on league leaders Leyton Orient.
It will be a fifth away trip in their last six games, Gateshead’s next game at the International Stadium on Saturday week against Bromley.