Elliot proud of ten-man Heed side despite defeat
ROB Elliot could not hide his pride after ten-man Gateshead failed to gain a reward for a gritty display in their 4-2 defeat at Ebbsfleet United.
There was an early blow for the Heed as they were reduced to ten men inside the opening five minutes after Louis Storey was shown a straight red card for a strong challenge on Dominic Samuel.
The hosts’ forward wasted little time in making the most of his side’s numerical advantage by firing his side in front just three minutes after Storey’s dismissal.
However, it was the Heed that took a lead into half-time as in-form midfielder Callum Whelan scored twice in the space of five minutes with the interval approaching.
But that would be as good as it got for Gateshead as former Hartlepool United striker Rakish Bingham scored a second-half hat-trick to claim the points for his side.
Elliot (below) hailed the work-rate and effort of his players as they continued to push for an equaliser into the final minutes of the game before
Bingham’s third goal of the day ended any thoughts of snatching what would have been a deserved point.
He told the club website: “It was an unbelievable effort from the lads and it’s hard to even talk about the game when after ten minutes the game has changed.
“I’m just so proud of the lads, the work-rate, the effort to go like they did with ten men, and nine men at times when Hanno (Luke Hannant) hurt his leg.
“The pressure we put on them, the fact we went into the lead at halftime, we were just unbelievable and it sums up our character.
“For them to get back into the game in the way they did, we are naturally going to tire, but for us to keep pushing and create opportunities to score, it’s fantastic and a real testament to the boys and the fact their mentality is what got us through.
“It’s just really disappointing that what should have been a really good game of football was ruined by decisions that didn’t need to be made.”
Gateshead now have a rare free midweek as they focus their attentions on next weekend’s visit to play-off rivals Altrincham.
However, three Heed players will be in action during the week as midfielder Ed Francis prepares for England C’s friendly with their Welsh counterparts. Onloan
An unbelievable effort...I’m just so proud of the lads, the work-rate, the effort to go like they did Rob Elliot
goalkeeper Eddie Beech has been called up to the Wales Under-21s squad for their Euro Under-21 Finals qualifier against Lithuania and a friendly against Morocco. Loan striker Dajaune Brown is also on international duty as he prepares to make his Jamaica Under-23s debut when they face La Liga club Espanyol and Guinea Under-23s over the next week.