Heed have huge chance to take points off rivals, insists skipper
We know if we don’t turn up, it’s not going to be an easy night, but if we do turn it we can make it an easy night Greg Olley
GATESHEAD captain Greg Olley believes his side are faced with a ‘massive opportunity’ when they host National League play-off rivals Solihull Moors tonight.
Rob Elliot’s men put in a determined display to bounce back from their midweek defeat at Woking to claim a last-gasp draw against Boreham Wood on Saturday.
The Heed looked to be on their way to success defeats as home striker Kabongo Tshimanga put the hosts in front but on-loan Derby County striker Dajaune Brown picked the perfect time to get his first goal for the club with an equaliser deep in second-half injury-time.
All eyes now fall upon tonight’s meeting with Solihull, who currently sit one point and one place above Gateshead head of their visit to the International Stadium.
Olley, who is expected to return from a long-term knee injury later this month, is relishing the prospect of seeing his side take on a key rival for a top seven place in nonleague’s top tier.
Speaking at Sunday’s North East Football Writers Association awards night, he said: “It’s another massive opportunity and we have got a lot of tough games coming up but I’ve always said to the others that there are no easy games in this league.
“It just so happens Solihull are a place above us and that is where we want to be at the end of Tuesday night. I suppose they are in that position because they’ve done very well this season. We know what they are about, we’ve played them enough times to know they are a good team with some really good players.
“We know if we don’t turn up, it’s not going to be an easy night, but if we do turn it we can make it an easy night.”
Tonight’s game will see Gateshead make a welcome return to the International Stadium after they endured two consecutive long away days in their visits to Woking and Boreham Wood.
Olley is hopeful his side can continue their push for success on two fronts as they prepare for the first of three home games inside seven days and give some reward to the supporters that have followed them around the country.
He said: “Gateshead is probably one of the most turbulent clubs in the non-league system - so for that reason, it’s important to give the fans back that do travel to Boreham Wood on Saturday. Success if what you strive for at the start of every season.
“We set out with the aim of trying to make the play-offs and win some silverware and we have the chance to do both this year so that’s something we should be really proud of.
That’s the aim, to win them both.”