Kerr’s calamity ends Heed’s Wembley bid
GATESHEAD manager Steve Watson was gutted to see his side miss out on a first Wembley final in the FA Trophy.
A poor penalty decision in Bromley’s favour in the first leg ultimately proved the difference as the Ravens edged home 4-3 on aggregate.
The Heed, however, were the architects of their own downfall in the deciding leg after they conceded a calamitous early own goal.
Fraser Kerr was unfortunate to knock the ball into his own net after a pinball incident with onrushing goalkeeper James Montgomery.
It was poor defending in the buildup to the fifth-minute goal which gave Bromley a two-goal cushion they never looked like relinquishing.
Scott Barrow’s thunderous 35-yard rocket into the far corner after he had brought the ball down on his chest got Gateshead back on level terms.
Watson’s men, however, could not find a second goal in the remaining 25 minutes and the 1-1 draw was enough for Bromley to take on Brackley Town in the final on May 20.
Watson told the Chronicle: “I am gutted for everyone we did not get the job done on home soil, but we have had a great run in the FA Trophy.
“Conceding a poor goal so early made it very difficult against a Bromley side who used all their experience and defended very well.
“They slowed the game down at every opportunity.
“As soon as they went two up in the tie they went 4-5-1, got men behind the ball and there were no gaps to exploit.”
He added: “We got into good areas to cross the ball but the final ball was not there. We struggled to create clear-cut chances and it was just one of those days.
“We have been scoring two or three goals in games and it is just a shame because it was the day when we needed it most, which would have rewarded the great support we received.
“You don’t get many chances to go to Wembley.
“The lads were inconsolable in the dressing room but we have to go again.
“There has been nothing between the two sides in the two games.
“Ultimately, a bad penalty decision has cost us - that is the frustration.”
Not for the first time when staging a big game at the International Stadium, the kick-off had to be put back to accommodate a crowd of 2,264.
While Gateshead bossed the football they struggled to do anything with it, Bromley comfortable until rocked by Barrow’s 69th-minute stunner.
Ravens’ goalkeeper David Gregory did not make a save while his Heed counterpart made vital stops on three occasions as Gateshead were caught pushing for a second goal. Just as in their only previous appearance in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, the Tynesiders were held at home in the second leg after losing the first 3-2.
For Darlington read Bromley, Watson now determined his side finishes the season strongly with 10 league games still to fit in.
The first is at joint leaders Macclesfield, Watson’s former club, tomorrow night.
Dagenham and Redbridge then follow at the International Stadium on Good Friday.