A look forward to this week’s play-off action from National Leagues North and South
GATESHEAD player-manager Mike Williamson is refusing to pay any attention to the bookmakers after his side were placed as outsiders to come through the National League North play-offs.
The Tynesiders visit Brackley Town this afternoon after securing a top-seven spot at the expense of North-East neighbours Spennymoor Town after the decision was made to calculate the standings on a points per game basis.
Williamson’s side suffered just one defeat in 12 games before the coronavirus brought an end to the regular season and that came with a brave 2-1 home reverse against eventual champions King’s Lynn Town.
And the former Newcastle United and Watford defender has taken confidence from his side’s performances during his first season in management – and is happy to focus on getting prepared for the trip to St James Park, rather than the bookmakers’ odds.
“The odds don’t make any difference to me, none at all,” he told The NLP. “People can doubt us all they want, and they can say what they want. We believe we can win it, we believe we are ready and have done everything we can for what lies ahead of us.” Gateshead were scheduled to travel to Brackley on the final day of the regular season but will now contest an elimination play-off at St James Park this afternoon. The two sides have met once this season as goals from Michael Nelson and Josh Kayode helped the Heed to a 2-0 win over the Saints in August.
But Williamson believes that performance and result will have no impact on today’s crucial fixture. “There is no easier or harder game in the play-offs,” he adds.
“We have watched a number of games from throughout the season and Brackley are a big and strong side. Tchnically they are very good, they will be a severe test of our credentials. “I watched our game against them back on video this week and we were a very different team then. It will be novel playing down there, but what we do know is that they will be up for the challenge and we have to match that.”