Ben And Brown Are Your Big National League Winners!

Gateshead know that more than most and after booking their place in another FA Trophy final at the weekend.

It is becoming more and more apparent that the North East club’s recruitment policy is the envy of many - but they know the value of the loan market, too.

After borrowing attacker Dajaune Brown from Derby County, he really got tongues wagging with eight goals in eight games in all competitions. Without his efforts inside the box in March, Gateshead would have been five points worse off.

Brown bagged a hat-trick in the Trophy against Peterborough Sports to book a semi-final place before notching winners in games against Rochdale and Dagenham & Redbridge as well as a crucial leveller against Boreham Wood.

It was a month when the club also battered North East rivals Hartlepool United 7-1.

If he’s being honest, Ben Strevens is probably looking on a little green-eyed at the managers busting a gut to get into the EFL.

But the Dagenham manager knows with a strong end to the season behind them, a promotion challenge next time is certainly not out of the question.

The East London club started last month looking over their shoulder hovering just three points above the drop-zone, but they ended it pretty much safe and sound, nine points from danger.

OK, the play-offs might be out of reach for another year, but Strevens’ side put on a show for fans in March – losing just once, scoring twelve goals, and looking like they don’t want the season to end!

Starting with a huge win against promotion hopefuls Altrincham, they then picked up solid draws against Southend United and Oldham.

Brilliant four-goal victories against Maidenhead United and Boreham Wood followed and although it may be too little too late in terms of the top seven, the Manager of the Month marked a year at the helm by raising confidence to the levels not seen for some time.

Well done to our big winners!