Gateshead Ladies manager Simon Johnson feels his side’s penalty shootout win at Consett Ladies provided a ‘stark reminder’ for his players.
The Heed went into half time a goal down in the League One Cup last Sunday, before Jasmin Badillo forced the tie to penalties with a second half equaliser.
Johnson feels it is a fixture which will give his players a lot to learn from upon reflection, saying: “It was a bit of a stark reminder that when we go away from our principles, it gives the opposition a chance to cause us problems.
“If we underestimate a team or think we don’t need to be 100% at it then teams will capitalise.
“There were instances in the first half and second half where we weren’t quite at it and I think that’s partly down to momentum and not playing many games since January.
“We’ve found it difficult to get a good run of games going, but equally it was a game of football that on another day that we could have won in 90 minutes.
“We looked at a couple of different things and different players played elsewhere, so for me it was a chance to get some minutes under players’ belts.
“On the whole it was a good game on which we can reflect and look at what we did well, but we’ll take a lot from the game which will help us in the long term.”
Gateshead emerged 4-3 winners in the penalty shootout after the initial 90 minutes ended at 1-1, and Johnson admitted that his penalty takers were pre-determined well before that stage.
“Something I’ve thought on early on in my coaching career is that I want to pick my penalty takers so I take the responsibility,” he added.
“I picked the order based on what I believe players ability and composure is, because I’ve been there before where you put your hand up full of confidence and then as soon as you’re picked you’re re-thinking it.
“When you’ve got a goalkeeper like Carly [Salmon] you know she’s going to make at least one save so you’ve got a good chance of winning any shootout.
“It was good to see our character tested again and have people step outside of their comfort zones.”
