Mike Williamson has this message for Gateshead squad ahead of crunch play-off fixture

The Heed secured a National League North play-off place at the expense of North East neighbours Spennymoor Town after the decision was taken to calculate the final standings based on a points per game average.

That meant that Williamson’s side ended the regular season in seventh place and consequently they were handed an away trip to Brackley Town in the elimination round of the play-offs.

The game at St James Park on Sunday at 4pm provides Gateshead with a stern test of their credentials as they face a side that ended the regular season with just one defeat in their 17 home fixtures.

Speaking to The Echo at the Heed’s penultimate training session before the trip to Northamptonshire, Williamson said: “Through all of the difficulty and uncertainty has come a fantastic opportunity for us and we have to do all we can to take full advantage of that.

“It’s unusual, but it’s exciting.

“It’s unchartered territory in terms of the lockdown and having the amount of time off that we have had.

“Now we are back to work, we are relishing the preparations; we are enjoying it and the lads are in good spirits.

“We look in very good condition, we are looking forward to going down to Brackley and seeing what we can do.

“Hopefully we can come away with what we want.”

Sunday’s game – and all of the other play-off ties across the National League’s three divisions - will be played behind closed doors in line with the government’s current Covid-19 advice.

However, Williamson and assistant manager Ian Watson have been keen to stress to their squad that they have a responsibility to do all that they can to secure a win for the club’s absent supporters.

He explained: “There has been a lot of difficulties during the lockdown and this is another one for the fans.

“It’s sad to not have them there with us, but the lads know what it means to them.”