Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead defeated Solihull Moors via penalties to lift the Isuzu FA Trophy for the first time at Wembley Stadium.

The Heed went in front moments before half time when Regan Booty slid home Dajaune Brown’s ball across the box, though they were pegged back by Mark Beck’s header to send the tie to extra time.

Beck put Solihull ahead from the penalty spot before the break to make for a nervy final 15 minutes, though Brown kept his composure to prod home Tom Allan’s ball across goal to take the final to penalties.

Brown would be the hero from 12 yards, perhaps fittingly in his final game for the club, to slot into the back of the net to seal a first-ever FA Trophy title for Gateshead and a first Wembley victory in three attempts.

Both Gateshead and Solihull arrived at Wembley hoping for redemption, with The Heed having been denied their rightful place in the National League play-offs – and also tasting defeat in the 2023 FA Trophy final – while The Moors had been defeated in the play-off final at Wembley by Bromley only six days earlier.

It was those in black and white who looked more likely to break the deadlock in the opening 45, with Greg Olley sending a 20-yard drive just wide of Nick Hayes’ far post before Ed Francis was denied a back post header by Jay Been’s vital airborne block.

Alex Whitmore came closest for Solihull when he sent a header over the bar from a corner, and just as the game seemed to be heading into the break on level terms, Gateshead had one more chance.

Joe Grayson’s lofted ball into the final third was taken down by Brown, who darted towards the goal line and squared into the six-yard box for an on-rushing Booty to slide past Hayes and send the Gateshead supporters behind the goal into raptures.

Having gone behind as they did in the play-off final the week prior though, Solihull emerged to gain the upper hand in the second period and their pressure paid off when Joe Newton’s cross was headed in by Beck to square the game up.

The Moors could have taken the lead only moments after levelling when Joe Sbarra was sent clean through on goal, but a combination of indecision and pressure from an on-rushing James Montgomery saw the forward scuff his shot wide of goal.

Kieron Evans came off the bench to provide a spark for Gateshead late on with an effort sent wide of goal, but neither side could prevent the tie from heading to an extra half an hour under the Wembley arch.

Evans was lively once again early into the first period of extra time and forced a close range save from Hayes, but the next blow would come from Solihull when Louis Storey was judged to have brought Beck down in the penalty area, leading to the forward to slam the resulting spot-kick into the top-right corner and put his side in front.

Marcus Dinanga was introduced with 15 minutes to go as Gateshead threw men forward in search of an equaliser, one which would come five minutes into the final period of extra time when Booty’s swerving ball to the back post was diverted into Brown’s path by Allan for the forward to side-foot into an empty net.

Penalties then beckoned for the second time in this year’s competition for The Heed – and the second time in six days for Solihull – with both Hayes and Montgomery pulling off saves early on in the shootout to ramp up the nerves amongst supporters.

Gateshead were handed two chances to win the tie in sudden death after Joss Labadie and Whitmore missed the target, with Hayes saving Allan’s effort the first time round before Brown stepped up to slot home and seal a first-ever FA Trophy title for The Heed.

Gateshead: Montgomery, Tinkler, Booty, Whelan (Evans, 75′), Richardson (Allan, 83′), Francis, Olley, Worman (Dinanga, 106′), Brown, Grayson, Hannant (Storey, 79′).

Substitutes: Harness, McBride, Stott.

Goals: Booty (45+2′), Brown (110′).

Yellow Cards: Booty (50′), Olley (98′), Storey (100′).

Solihull Moors: Hayes, Clarke, Newton, Osborne (Labadie, 97′), Sbarra (Mafuta, 105+2′), Maycock, Beck, Shade, Benn (Benton, 91′), Boateng (Warburton, 65′), Whitmore.

Substitutes: Stearman, Howell, Flahaven.

Goals: Beck (69′, 99′ (pen)).

Yellow Cards: Benton (92′), Labadie (101′)

Attendance: 19,964