Gateshead defeated Solihull Moors in a dramatic penalty shootout to lift the Isuzu FA Trophy title after a four-goal thriller at Wembley.
After a disappointing play-offs encounter for Solihull, losing out to Bromley on penalties in the final less than a week ago and a loss in the Final of this competition last year for Gateshead, both teams would set out looking for vengeance.
And Gateshead captain Greg Olley came close to making the net ripple with a golden opportunity from just inside the 18-yard box, which flashed wide of the post just before the interval.
The rest of the first half was an even affair. The Tynesiders looked dangerous from multiple whipped crosses, the main chance being a header from midfielder Edward Francis, whose attempt was blocked heroically by Jay Benn at the back post.
Trophy Final debutants Solihull then came close from a front-post corner routine but failed to hit the target as Alex Whitmore headed over the bar.
This was until the last kick off the half. A fantastic run down the line from Dajaune Brown led to a superb low driven cross to the right foot of Regan Booty, who made no mistake from a yard out, putting Rob Elliot’s team ahead before the break.
The second half began with the Moors dominating possession, and all their work on the ball eventually paid off as in the 69th minute, a superb cross from Joe Newton found the head of target man Mark Beck, who equalised for Solihull, making things all square.
Just minutes later, Andy Whing’s side had another fantastic opportunity, but it couldn’t be converted from Joe Sbarra who was in on goal but failed to take advantage in a one-on-one situation, scuffing the ball wide.
Solihull continued to pile on the pressure, aiming to grab a winner but Gateshead held their own, and 90 minutes proved not long enough for the National League outfit, as a last-gasp effort from substitute Kieron Evans was fired wide.
The beginning of extra time once again saw Evans’ effort saved from close range, but just five minutes later and the Moors took a 2-1 lead through a Beck penalty after he was brought down in the six-yard box by substitute Storey.
Brown poked the ball over the bar with an early chance after the extra time interval, although just three minutes after, he made up for his error, tapping the ball home thanks to a Tom Allan square pass, to make the score 2-2.
The last big opportunity of the match came the Tynesiders' way, as Francis had a free kick on the edge of the Solihull box, but failed to convert.
With the game two apiece, it was time for penalties, which was settled with a winning penalty from Brown to sealed the FA Trophy title for Gateshead, reversing their loss here last year
Gateshead FC: 2 Robbie Tinkler, 3 Regan Booty, 4 Callum Whelan, 5 Kenton Richardson, 8 Edward Francis, 10 Greg Olley ©, 11 Ben Worman, 14 Dajaune Brown, 18 Joe Grayson, 19 Luke Hannant, 45 James Montgomery (GK).
Substitutes: 12 Kieron Evans for 4 Whelan 75’, 6 Louis Storey for 19 Hannant 79’, 7 Tom Allan for 5 Richardson 83’, 12 Gus Mafuta for 7 Sbarra 107’. 9 Marcus Dinanga for 11 Worman 106’.
Unused Subs: 21 Connor Mcbride, 28 Jack Stott, 31 Nathan Harness (GK).
Manager: Rob Elliot
Solihull Moors FC: 2 James Clarke, 3 Joe Newton, 4 Jamey Osborne ©, 7 Joe Sbarra, 8 Callum Maycock, 9 Mark Beck, 10 Tyrese Shade, 20 Jay Benn, 32 Nick Hayes (GK), 33 Nana Boateng, 35 Alex Whitmore.
Substitutes: 11 Matty Warburton for 33 Boateng 65’, 18 Jon Benton for 20 Benn 91’, 17 Joss Labadie for 4 Jamey Osborne 97’.
Unused Subs: 12 Gus Mafuta, 19 Richard Stearman, 23 Fin Howell, 30 Aaron Flahaven (GK).
Manager: Andy Whing
