HEED ARE FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

GATESHEAD overcame gale force conditions on Tyneside and stubborn underdogs Macclesfield to make it back-to-back Wembley appearances in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

- Jeff Bowron

The strong wind ruined the semi-final as a spectacle but National League play-off chasers Gateshead got the job done to end Macclesfield’s superb Trophy run.

The reformed Silkmen had scored 21 goals and conceded just three in their seven Trophy ties, but were behind inside five minutes in front of a 3,000-strong crowd at the International Stadium.

Ben Worman’s opener was followed by a well-taken second after 25 minutes from Callum Whelan, Ed Francis later denied by the inside of the post.

Facing the teeth of the gale Macc’s only effort at goal in the first half came in the 45th minute when Sam Heathcote’s 22yard effort was straight at Heed keeper James Montgomery.