Dajaune Brown wins the FA Trophy in emphatic fashion

The FA Trophy went to Gateshead after a chaotic penalty shootout ended in victory for the Tynesiders.

Regan Booty scored first for Gateshead before Mark Beck equalised. Solihull’s Beck then scored another to put Solihull in-front via way of a penalty. Brown would soon equalise before scoring the match winning penalty.

With the FA Trophy up for grabs, Andy Whing’s Solihull Moors would go into the match-up looking to bounce back from their shortcomings in the play-offs after losing narrowly to Bromley at Wembley just a week prior. A some-what changed side lined up with Sunderland-born Mark Beck starting for Moors. On the flip-side Rob Elliot’s well-rested Gateshead side would start without top-goalscorer Marcus Dinanga, with the former Newcastle goalkeeper opting to start the in-form Dajaune Brown.

First chance came in the third minute when Callum Whelan played the ball out wide to Luke Hannant whose low ball across the six yard box evaded a sliding-Brown who failed to get his foot on the end of it.

In the 22nd minute Alex Whitmore rose high to meet a Jamey Osbourne corner , the ball flying high over James Montgomery’s crossbar.

Straight up the other end was Hannant who found Ed Francis free at the back post who forced an amazing last-gasp block by Jay Benn inside the six-yard box.

The next close chance came for Gateshead, Greg Olley received Whelan’s ball just outside the box before curling a strong effort just wide of Nick Hayes’ left post.

Just on the stroke of half-time Gateshead broke the deadlock, Brown from the byline squared it to Booty inside the six yard box who calmly slotted past Hayes.
Solihull nearly equalised early in the second half with two close chances, Tyrese Shade squared it to Beck who slashed a close range shot. A corner proceded and James Clarke latched onto a loose ball inside the box and forced a great reflex save from Montgomery.

Montgomery was then called into action once more when Joe Sbarra played it back to Nana Boateng inside the box who seemingly had a free net, however Montgomery produced a great diving save on the line.

Against the run of the play Brown found himself one-on-one with Hayes, however the Derby-loanee failed to make it count as his chip went wayward.

in the 61st minute Ed Francis found himself with space to shoot outside the box, his low shot was stopped by Hayes and parried back into play but Solihull were quick to clear their lines.

Solihull eventually found their equaliser in the 71st minute, Boateng crossed into the path of Beck whose diving header flew past Montgomery.

Right after the goal, Sbarra found himself behind Gateshead’s backline, whilst one-on-one with Montgomery his chip rolled  agonisingly past the post.

Gateshead nearly scored in the 89th minute, Hayes tipping a dangerous Tom Allen cross back into play and into the path of brown but the Solihull defender was able to recover and clear his lines.

Osbourne found himself in some space out the box early on in injury time, his shot glanced Montgomery’s right side.

With things remaining level at full time, the match went to extra time, in the fourth minute Brown stormed into the box and layed it out to Kieran Evans who took a shot but Hayes was able to get low to deny.

Solihull won a penalty soon after following a scramble inside the box, Beck stepped up to take and fired past Montgomery.

Early in the second half of extra time a defelcted Booty pass bounced infront of brown deep inside the box, his shot then landed comfortably atop Hayes’ net.

Gateshead pulled it back to a tie soon after, Booty floated a ball to Allen at the back post who set-up Brown who fired home for ‘The Heed’

This marked the last chance of the match before penalties ensued. Booty took Gateshead’s first penalty and could get it past Hayes who saved it. Shade then missed the next, chipping over the crossbar.

Montgomery saved Clarkes penalty before Hayes Denied Francis. The next highlight came in sudden death when Joss Ladabie skied his penalty. A goal would win it, but Allen’s penalty was saved by Hayes.

Whitemore would then hit the crossbar, Brown then sealed the victory, firing low.