Heed call-off leaves Watto so surprised

STEVE Watson admitted he was surprised at the decision to call off Gateshead’s FA Trophy tie at Salford City.

An early-morning pitch inspection put paid to the firstround clash, which will now take place tomorrow night.

That will leave the Heed with five games to play in 15 days over the festive season.

Salford was one of only three ties from the 32 scheduled which fell foul of the weather, the other two in the south.

Manager Watson said: “I was surprised the game was called off as I was based in the north west over the weekend.

“I doubt another game was called off in that part of the country on Saturday.

“It should have been playable in the afternoon but a referee had inspected the pitch by 9.00 and deemed it unfit.”

Salford, second in the Vanarama National League, stated the game had been postponed ‘due to unsafe playing conditions.’

Gateshead were therefore in today’s second-round draw along with Blyth Spartans.

Should the Heed draw at the Peninsula Stadium tomorrow the replay is likely to be staged in the New Year.

On-loan striker Luke Armstrong, meanwhile, is set to be recalled by parent club Middlesbrough on January 1 .

Armstrong has scored a goal every other game for Gateshead and is likely to be loaned out to a Football League club.

The 22-year-old is available for four more games, including the Boxing Day derby against Hartlepool on Tyneside.

He will, however, miss the return clash against Pools on New Year’s Day.