NO REMORSE, JUST PRIDE, SAYS WILLIAMSON

PROUD Mike Williamson refused to blame an unseasonably lengthy casualty list for Gateshead’s Wembley defeat.

The Heed had no fewer than 13 first-team players out through injury or contractual unavailability, leaving Williamson to select a young and untested substitutes’ bench.

A strong, settled line-up proved pivotal in the Heed easily securing their National

League survival on the back of a storming end-ofseason run.

A Wembley final was an added bonus but, in truth, it proved a game too far for Williamson’s men and the 8,000 or so supporters who had made the long trip from the north-east to cheer on their heroes under the arch.

“We can sit here and talk about the many different factors which contributed to us not winning the game,” said the former Newcastle United defender, himself enjoying his first Wembley experience. “It’s a unique scenario; a couple of weeks after the season, trying to get the lads’ load right, and then the occasion and the emotion of coming here.

“All we can ask for is their dedication, application and their focus on detail. They gave it the best they had, unfortunately it just wasn’t enough. We had opportunities and on another day we would have had one or two.

“But ultimately it’s about the effort, belief and the way they went about their business when they were behind and they were pushing. The lads emptied their tank, they were cramping up, That’s all we can ask for.

“I’m not downbeat, genuinely I’m not. I’m immensely proud of that group of players, and I’m proud of the club and the supporters.

“It’s been a really tough season, especially off the back of last season where we experienced so many highs. We’ve backed each other, stuck together, kept fighting and kept wanting to improve. That’s led us to an incredible one-off game that will last in the memory. That experience will hold them in good stead for the rest of their careers.

“Seeing the emotions they go through and the reward they get after such a long, hard season, we deem this a success and we want to build on that.“

We are number small in but terms mighty of commitment. In each departmentm, people we going have and over beyond