Watson is just mad about Hatters clash
GATESHEAD will reach the third round of the FA Cup for only the third time in six decades if they beat Luton Town on Sunday.
The Hatters clash – the first between the sides in the FA Cup – at the International Stadium kicks off an hour earlier than usual at 2.00.
Unlike the Boxing Day derby against Hartlepool, the cup tie is not all-ticket with turnstiles at both ends of the Tyne and Wear stand open.
Luton head north on the back of just one defeat in 13 games and are comfortably the leading scorers in England’s five professional leagues.
Nathan Jones’ side have rattled up 48 goals from their 20 League Two games, a division which they lead on goal difference.
They also have the league’s leading scorer in Danny Hylton and the second-best defence in the fourth tier.
Gateshead last reached the third round in 2015 under Gary Mills, before that 1955, and they go into Sunday’s tie as underdogs.
They will be without the experience of Russell Penn in midfield, former Hatter JJ O’Donnell going in against his former club.
Manager Steve Watson is targeting a cup upset, saying: “It will be tough but these are the sort of games you want as a manager.
“Luton are flying and scoring lots of goals but it is a challenge myself and the players will relish.
“We will set up to try and stop them scoring while being offensively strong ourselves.
“The FA Cup is brilliant. I have had good times in the competition and to get Gateshead into the third round would be huge. “It is a massive prize with all that getting into the third round offers, so it is a big day for us on Sunday.” Chairman Richard Bennett misses the second-round tie but is hoping for a successful Sabbath on and off the pitch. He said: “Luton Town are a club steeped in tradition. It is an attractive tie which should attract a good crowd. “It is a standalone game in the region so it would be great if North East football fans could rally around Gateshead on Sunday. “Luton are well supported so will doubtless bring a good following for what should be a cracking cup-tie.” Gateshead will receive £12,000 television money and a further £27,000 in prize money if they gain the better of Luton in Sunday’s showdown.
It is a massive prize with all that getting into the third round offers so it is a big day for us on Sunday Steve Watson