Heed must be focused on tough tests ahead, warns Williamson
Gateshead player-manager Mike Williamson has warned his side that tougher tests lie ahead as they look to navigate their way through the National League North play-offs.
A penalty shoot-out win at Brackley Town on Sunday saw the Heed set up a semi-final tie at Boston United next weekend.
Williamson’ssidewilltravel toYorkStreetinconfidenceafterstretchingtheirrunofform to just one defeat in their last 13 games.
Andtheywillalsotakeheart from the fact that they have already completed a league double over the Pilgrims during this truncated season.
However, the former Newcastle United defender also stressed that his side cannot afford to dwell on their win at Brackley and must now focus on next Saturday’s visit to Boston.
“It’sjustgoingtogettougher for us,” Williamson said.
“As much as it’s nice to enjoy a win, it doesn’t mean anything.
“We have got to make sure wearefocusedonourrecovery and our next training session.
“We now have to get our minds on that.”
Williamson reflected on an eventful win at Brackley as on-loan Middlesbrough goalkeeperBradJamesmadethree saves in the penalty shoot-out tohelphissideintothelastfour of the play-offs.
The young stopper was beaten by a stunning longrange strike from hosts midfielderShaneByrnejustbefore half-time, as he cancelled out JakeCooper’sopenerlessthan 60 seconds earlier.
But James recovered to put in an assured performance duringthesecondhalfofanintriguingencounteratStJames Park.
His moment of glory came when the tie went into a penalty shoot-out and James deniedbothGlennWalker,Llorell Smith and Ellis Myles .
Williamson believes that the Boro youngster has shown enoughduringhisloanspellon Tynesidetosuggestthathewill go on to have a “long and successful career”, and described havinghimaspartofhisGateshead squad as a privilege.
“I said at half-time that he (James) is one of the main reasonswhyweareintheplay-offs and that he will get his moment,” he said.
“He has proved it. Brad will make mistakes throughout his career because he is going to have a long and successful career.
“We are privileged to have him;he’sbeenfantastic,andhe has been a rock for us.”