A fine individual effort from Captain Connor Essam was enough to send home hard woking Gateshead back on their 350 mile trip with nothing. ‘I thought it was absolutely outstanding today and the players did great’ said Kinnear. ‘We set it up for the second half by breaking them down a bit in the way that we played. We really were the better side today.’
Connor took all the plaudits, but the team ethic really made the difference in Chris’ eyes. ‘I didn’t want to make a sub as everyone had worked so hard – I just could not change it! We have got such good balance and though individually Gateshead’s players are probably better than ours, it really shows how important to have the right players on the pitch to win games.’*Q1*
He went on to add. ‘We had an iffy spell of games, but we have now bounced back and won three on the spin. I keep telling the players not to ever get down and give 100%. They are doing it and that character is why we are able to turn the form around.’
Essam’s second half volley from Deverdic’s cross really lit up the game and Chris praised the player’s all round performance. ‘Connor is Connor, He was at right back and midfield for most of the game. He is the Captain and if players are prepared to play anywhere for the team then you have a chance and fortunately we have players out there that are always going to give 100%. It was a great strike, but the goals we are scoring are no fluke – They are the result of hard work in training.’
The home games keep coming and next up at Crabble is a visit from Grimsby on Tuesday night, a team that not so long ago were plying their trade in the second tier of English football. Chris is looking forward to the visit from the promotion challengers. ‘They are a massive side, but then again, so are Gateshead. We are setting ourselves to see what it is like to play the top sides. Gateshead are one of them and we got a result, so hopefully we can do the same on Tuesday.’*Lpic1*