Loan star buzzing after successful Heed switch
GATESHEAD loan star Dajaune Brown has revealed he is “feeling great” about his time on Tyneside ahead of a home clash with National League play-off rivals Aldershot Town tonight.
The Derby County youngster has enhanced his already glowing reputation with an impressive introduction into senior football at the International Stadium.
After making his debut in as a substitute in a 2-1 home win against Barnet in January, Brown has gone on to score eight goals and provide four assists in just 17 appearances for Rob Elliot’s side as they chase success on two fronts between now and the end of the season.
Although Brown failed to find the net in Saturday’s FA Trophy semifinal win against Macclesfield, the 18-year-old striker did play a pivotal role in helping the Heed reach Wembley as he provided assists for Ben Worman and Callum Whelan in a 2-1 win for his side.
Celebrations over securing a place in the Trophy final for a second consecutive season have been quelled by preparations for what is a crucial home game against Aldershot tonight.
The Tynesiders currently sit in the play-off places in non-league’s top tier and also have as many as three games in hand on the other sides sat in the top seven.
With a huge final fortnight of the season lying in wait, Brown has given an insight into how he views his temporary stint on Tyneside and described his delight over the prospect of walking out at Wembley next month.
He told The Chronicle: “I am feeling great about it. Coming up here on loan I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought it would have been tough coming from under-21s football back at Derby, but I’ve adapted to it well. The team has got to Wembley once and we could even do it twice through the play-offs.
“I’ve never been to Wembley. It will be massive for me, the team and my family because living on the Derby side, it is a long way to travel for them every week.
“It is going to be rewarding for them as well. It’s been a success coming up here to push the team forward and while I didn’t score any goals, I got the assists, which was a great feeling, particularly as we’re going to Wembley.”
Gateshead manager Elliot has several big calls to make ahead of the meeting with Aldershot as he could consider handing recalls to the likes of top goalscorer Marcus Dinanga, midfielder Regan Booty and on-loan MK Dons goalkeeper Nathan Harness. ■ Elsewhere on Tuesday night, Spennymoor Town can move to within touching distance of the National League North play-off places with a home win against relegation threatened Banbury United.
The Moors currently sit three points adrift of the top seven but can boost their play-off hopes and can move level on points with South Shields and Curzon Ashton by collecting a maximum at Brewery Field.