We can’t bask in the glory for too long: Elliot
FORMER Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot has hailed “an incredible achievement” after Gateshead secured their place in the National League play-offs.
Gateshead sealed their place with a 2-1 win over champions Chesterfield, a fourth successive defeat since the Spireites wrapped up the title.
The home side – facing a third game in the space of five days after losing at Fylde and Maidenhead – took the lead in the 12th minute through a Luke Hannant penalty.
Chesterfield went further behind in the 32nd minute when Hannant converted another spot-kick.
The visitors pulled a goal back after an hour through a Louis Storey own goal, but Gateshead held out until full-time to make sure of their play-off spot.
Former Magpies star Elliot stepped into a role as the Heed’s interim management following Mike Williamson’s departure to League Two club MK Dons and has been given something of a crash course in life in the dugout.
The January transfer window proved to be a challenge as key forward Stephen Wearne followed Williamson to Stadium: MK and loan stars Archie Mair, Kyran Lofthouse and Billy Chadwick were all recalled by their parent clubs before heading to pastures new.
That left Elliot and coaches Louis Storey and Carl Magnay to contend with a daunting visit to Chesterfield with a skeletal squad in the second week of the new year – and they were punished severely as a side that would go on to become National League champions romped to a 5-0 win on their home patch.
It felt poignant that the Spireites were the visitors to Gateshead on Monday night as two first-half penalties from Luke Hannant gave Elliot’s side a 2-1 win that secured their place in the National League play-off places for only the second time in the club’s history.
The win marked the latest chapter in what has already been a memorable season on the south bank of the Tyne and one that could yet bring two visits to Wembley after Gateshead reached the FA Trophy Final for a second successive season.
Reflecting on a period of contrasting emotions and looking ahead to home games with Aldershot Town and Bromley this week, Elliot admitted his players can’t afford to bask in the glory of their achievements for too long.
He told the Chronicle: “When you look at the contrasts from that game to where we are now, it’s just brilliant that the club can look back, have a bit of reflection, and enjoy what we have done here.
“Unfortunately, due to the ridiculous scheduling, we can’t afford to reflect for too long. We have two very tough games, two games we want to win and Bromley is an interesting one because we could be playing them in the play-offs if things go that way. For us, we never really look at any possibility of finishing wherever in the play-offs, we just look at making sure we are consistent in our performances. It’s really hard to gauge consistency in the last three games because we’ve had to make so many changes.
“It will take a while to reflect on the achievement we have made but that’s because it’s been so hectic – but you look at the circumstances, where we have been, it’s an incredible achievement.” Tonight’s home clash with Aldershot is next on the agenda for Gateshead as the two sides meet just over a week after a waterlogged pitch brought the postponement of the original fixture. The Shots are still in contention to join Gateshead in the play-off places and will arrive at the International Stadium as one of three clubs that could still sneak into the top seven during the final days of the campaign.
Despite the challenge facing their visitors, Elliot insisted his players should only focus on themselves and ensuring they end the regular season in a positive manner. “We can only control what we can control, we can’t control what Aldershot want to do,” he explained. “They’ve had a very good season, they are still trying to get into the play-offs and we know it is going to be a very tough game. We have to make sure we handle it.
“We are fighting for what we want to fight for and, ultimately, we know that is what we have to focus on and enjoy the challenge that is presented in front of us.”
Elliot is likely to continue rotating his squad as he deals with a hectic final week of the regular season.
That could mean starts for midfielder Callum Whelan and defender Joe Grayson after they came off the bench in Mo n d a y ’ s win.