Huddersfield Town’s Novak on course for play-off glory

May 5 2009 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LEE NOVAK has the chance to sign off in style for Gateshead after firing them into a Conference North play-off final showdown with AFC Telford.

The 20-year-old Town striker grabbed a crucial 28th goal of the season for the North-Easterners as they drew 1-1 at home to Southport to clinch a 2-1 aggregate semi-final win.

Gateshead’s International Stadium, where Town will play a friendly on Saturday, July 11, will be the venue for the Telford showdown.

And Gateshead boss Ian Bogie, who transferred Novak to Town in January but then brought him back on loan, wants the Tyneside public to get behind his team.

“We have had two great seasons and are just one game away from standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Luton, Wrexham and Oxford next season,” he said.

“We play good football and score lots of goals and deserve a big crowd, which will make all the difference to the players.

“The Gateshead public need to back us and turn out in force and I’m hoping a lot of Newcastle fans will also come along.”

Gateshead have not lost at home in the Conference North since September – a run of 13 wins and four draws.

“We have made our stadium a fortress,” added former Preston and Port Vale player Bogie, who signed Novak from UniBond League Newcastle Blue Star in September.