Tears of joy as Dom puts Gateshead first
GATESHEAD’S on loan Huddersfield Town winger Dom Tear went beyond the call of duty at the weekend.
Tear put club before family as Gateshead won 1-0 at underdogs Kidsgrove Athletic in the FA Cup.
The Heed, who have raked in £18,000 in prize money, are now in the fourth and final qualifying round.
Player-manager Mike Williamson revealed after the game in the Potteries Tear’s commitment to the Heed cause.
He said: “A special mention to Dom as he missed his sister’s wedding to play at Kidsgrove.
“That must have been difficult for him.
“He is a great lad and has been an honest professional since he came in on loan.
“He had to be patient but once he was given his opportunity he really took it and I am over the moon for him.”
Tear, 19, hardly featured in his first month on Tyneside but after breaking through has been a regular.
The young Terrier is keen to stay at Gateshead for the full season and played his part in the win at Kidsgrove.
Tear went closest for the Heed before JJ O’Donnell swept home Josh Kayode’s cut-back on the hour.
It proved to be the pivotal moment in a hard-fought tie which produced few clear-cut scoring chances.
For Gateshead it was a fifth win and clean sheet in their last six games. Attacking midfielder O’Donnell is now back as leading scorer, having scored five goals. He said: “It was not our best performance of the season in terms of quality in what was a typical FA Cup tie.
“However, we showed our resoluteness to dig in and grind out an important win.
“We went to Kidsgrove expecting to win and we got the job done - hopefully we will be given a favourable draw.”
Gateshead, beaten only twice in 13 games, return to league duty at home to Gloucester City on Saturday.