Williamson delighted with Heed performance

GATESHEAD player-manager Mike Williamson was delighted with his side’s performance in Saturday’s impressive 4-0 win at Spennymoor.

Williamson was less impressed with the reckless challenge by Moors new boy Jo Cummings on a Heed trialist right in front of the dug-outs.

An incensed Williamson confronted the defender on the pitch in a clash involving most of the players and team officials – Cummings was then given a straight red.

A slick Gateshead were already three ahead and then substitute Connor Pani converted Greg Olley’s cross to complete the scoring late on.

Centre-back Louis Storey had given the Tynesiders an early lead after Owen Bailey flicked on an Olley corner.

A superb length-of-the-field move involving nine passes then saw Paul Blackett increased the lead from the penalty spot.

Olley’s curling cross-shot struck the far post before good work from former Moors man

Dan Ward produced Blackett’s second of the afternoon.

The Heed made four changes midway through the second half, the influential Adam Campbell one of them after his first run out in pre-season.

A trio of new signings; Aaron Martin, Dan Jarvis and Lewis Knight, who is out for three months, missed the game at a sweltering Brewery Field due to injury.

Williamson said: “The game was very good and the boys were fantastic.

“The disappointing thing is just the issue of injuries.

“Other than that, the work we have got into the lads is really good.

“Our motto is always to find a way, no matter what is against us.

“Whether it be the referee, the crowd, obviously the opposition, and 3-0 up or three down we have got to find a solution.

“The boys really adapted to the heat and did very well.”

Williamson didn’t feature at Spennymoor where Campbell picked up a foot injury, Robbie Tinkler had a problem with his groin and Tom Allan went off with cramp.

“We’ll assess the situation ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Hebburn,” added Williamson.

“We have just got to be careful.”