South Shields will face Buxton at the 1st Cloud Arena on Saturday afternoon as they look to progress into the National League North play-off final.

Gateshead manager Rob Elliot has wished South Shields well in their bid to secure promotion into the National League - despite conceding the Mariners will make it ‘tough’ for the Heed if they are successful.

Ian Watson’s men narrowly missed out on securing the National League North title last weekend when they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers after what had been a season-long title battle with AFC Fylde, who secured top spot with a win at Merthyr Town and will now join the Heed in non-league’s top tier when the new season gets underway in August.

South Shields celebrate a goal in their FA Cup win against Chorley (photo Kevin Wilson) | Kevin Wilson

placeholder image — South Shields celebrate a goal in their FA Cup win against Chorley (photo Kevin Wilson) | Kevin Wilson

South Shields’ focus will go on Saturday’s play-off semi-final clash with Buxton as the former Northern Premier League promotion rivals go head-to-head at the 1st Cloud Arena (4pm kick-off) and a home win would take Watson and his players within 90 minutes of a historic promotion into the National League.

The Mariners boss is only too aware of the challenges in step one after working alongside Mike Williamson and Carl Magnay during their time at Gateshead at a time when Elliot took up a role at technical director of the Heed before succeeding Williamson as manager. The Heed boss described the job Watson has done at South Shields as ‘unbelievable’ and revealed he will ‘have his fingers crossed’ they can succeed in their bid to land promotion via the play-offs.

When asked about the Mariners promotion push, the former Newcastle United goalkeeper said: “I think it’s brilliant - although it’s obviously going to be tough for us as it’s another North East team and one with better resources but, as a club, we are used to that. I think Ian has done an unbelievable job there with Mike and Mags and I saw them play against Macclesfield and they were outstanding. I think it would be better having those games than not and I have my fingers crossed they get over the line.”

‘A little bit of spice’

Gateshead manager Rob Elliot (photo Jack McGraghan) | Jack McGraghan

As it stands, only Gateshead and Hartlepool United represent the North East in the National League and they will go head-to-head once again next season after the Heed produced a miraculous escape from relegation and Pools missed out on a place in the play-offs. Throwing South Shields into the mix would provide one of the most interesting stories across the North East football scene and Elliot admitted he would find it ‘a little bit weird’ facing three people he worked alongside at the International Stadium.

He said: “It would add a little bit of spice and North East drama and it would be a little bit weird facing up against each other because we know each other well. I’m just pleased they are doing so well and I’m not sure they’ve had the credit they deserve because people forget where they were last season and the changes they’ve been through. I don’t know how Gateshead fans feel about South Shields but I think for the people we know there, after what they did here, I hope they get up and make it another North East club in the National League next year.”