• 7 months ago
Gateshead defeated Solihull Moors 5-4 on penalties, following a 2-2 draw in the match to win their first ever FA Trophy. A glorious day of sun in the capital welcomed the Heed Army to watch their side triumph under the famous arch. Daniel Wales reports from Gateshead and Wembley Stadium.

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Transcript
00:00 A glorious day in London welcomed Gateshead to Wembley for the second year running.
00:04 Their supporters were braced and ready for the FA Trophy final ahead.
00:08 We're a lot more excited this year. We weren't confident last year, but we're very confident this year.
00:13 We're going to do it for the lads.
00:15 I feel I just want to see everyone out in the sun, having a nice weekend.
00:19 The players getting a chance to play at Wembley, just having a good weekend to celebrate a really good season.
00:25 And I feel like we deserve the win to come from it.
00:28 As with last year, the Heade army took over the Wembley box park hours ahead of kick-off.
00:33 And back on Wembley Way, more travelling tight-sided were making themselves known.
00:38 Bring it back for the fans. They deserve it for everything they've went through this year.
00:42 It feels kind of weird to be honest. I keep going from emotion to a stop in between, really excited and totally relaxed.
00:48 Inside the stadium the build-up was now complete and the fireworks signalled the start of the match.
00:54 Gateshead made the better start of the two sides and created the first chance with only three minutes on the clock.
00:59 A ball in from the right came towards Dejean Brown, but he was unable to divert the ball into the net.
01:05 On the stroke of half-time though, Gateshead were ahead when Regan Booty met Brown's low cross on the left to send the Heade army wild.
01:12 Solihull then almost made the perfect start to the second half as Mark Beck's effort was blocked on the line.
01:18 But they did get an equaliser which finally came in the 70th minute when Beck threw himself at the ball to score a diving header at the back post.
01:25 Moores almost made it two in two minutes when Joe Sabara went through on goal, but he dragged his shot wide.
01:31 Gateshead were denied a penalty late on as they pressed for a winner, with the match eventually heading to extra time.
01:37 Moores keeper Nick Hayes denied Kieran Evans from point-blank range early in the extra period before a Moores spot kick scored by Beck put them ahead.
01:45 Gateshead weren't beaten though and found a leveller in the second half of extra time when Dejean Brown tapped home Tom Allen's flick from the left.
01:53 Penalties it was and after several misses, saves and nervous moments, Dejean Brown converted to see Gateshead lift the FA trophy.
02:02 Following the final whistle, the jubilant Gateshead players made their way up to the Royal Box to receive their prize.
02:09 [Cheering]
02:19 Rob Elliott then reflected on the triumph.
02:22 I think the calmness from Neil was just what it was to be able to express themselves and enjoy it. It was a fantastic game, fun to reflect on.
02:29 James Montgomery and Neil Pingerton then spoke of the penalties.
02:33 I wish their goalie had stopped saving these penalties. No, he was brilliant to be fair like. It was such a big present.
02:40 It was quite a way, yes. I think you could see that it was a hot, humid day. Both sets of players gave it their all and no one likes losing on penalties.
02:50 But I must say that we've overcome those a few times in the past couple of seasons getting to this final. So, yeah, I think we deserve the trust that we got.
02:59 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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