Gateshead v Aldershot Town Match Preview – Saturday 27th October 2018
Having progressed to the 1st Round of the FA Cup last weekend, by seeing off Kettering Town (2-0), The Shots return to National League action on Saturday with the long trip to play-off chasing Gateshead. At 606 miles, the round-trip is just six miles shorter than their longest of the season – to Barrow in March. BBC Surrey Sport’s Rob Worrall previews the game:
Shots Squad:
With Will Mannion, Luke Howell, and Luke Wanadio all enjoying pitch time last weekend, Manager Gary Waddock has some interesting selection choices for Saturday. He will though, be without injured trio; Jacob Berkeley-Agyapong, skipper Karleigh Osborne and James Rowe.
Opposition:
Name: Gateshead FC
Founded: 1977 (following the folding of Gateshead United)
Nickname: The Heed
Manager: Steve Watson
Stadium: Gateshead International Stadium
2017/18 Final National League position: 17th
Current National League position: 7th
Brief History:
Gateshead were established in 1977 and adopted the name after being known as South Shields Adelaide (formed 1899( and Gateshead United previously. In 1982-83, they won the Northern Premier League (NPL) with a record points tally (100). Since then, they have bobbed up and down between the NPL and the top tier of Non-League. Turning full-time in 2010-11 and made the play-offs in 2013-14, only to lose in the final to Cambridge United. In the summer, with a new ownership deal taking longer than expected to go through, it looked like they may have to return to a part-time model. However, it eventually went through, meaning that they remain a full-time club this season.
The Gaffer:
Steve Watson was appointed Gateshead manager in October 2017. Previously, he worked under John Askey as assistant manager at Macclesfield Town, and before that he had coaching experience at Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City.
Outgoings:
There was a large overturn of playing staff over the summer including last season’s top scorer Danny Johnson who joined Motherwell. Keeper James Montgomery and defender Theo Vassell earned moves to the EFL with Forest Green Rovers and Port Vale respectively. Russell Penn, Jordan Burrow, Wes York and Macauley Longstaff all joined York City and Paddy McLaughlin joined the Heed’s north-east rivals Hartlepool United.
Incomings:
Steve Watson made several new signings over the summer, the most notable being Mike Williamson, signing the 2013/14 Newcastle United Player of the Season following his release by Oxford United. Young defender Jack Hunter was also an addition from the Toon, experienced forward Scott Boden joined from league rivals Wrexham, Greg Olley joined from Hull City where he had made first team appearances. Gateshead also signed Luke Armstrong and Aynsley Pears on loan from Middlesbrough and Luke Molyneux on loan from Sunderland. Keeper Mark Foden was signed from Ross County to replace the departing Montgomery.
Referee:
Saturday’s referee is Richard Hulme. Hulme refereed our away defeat to Havant & Waterlooville this season and our 1-0 win over Maidenhead United last season, he has also refereed Gateshead this season, at their 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood. The last game he refereed was in the Scottish Irn Bru Cup between Motherwell U20s and Ireland’s Sligo Rovers.
Commentary:
There will be live BBC Surrey Sport coverage of the game on Saturday afternoon with Rob Worrall and a special guest. Tune in to the BBC Sport website (or the BBC Sport App) from 2:50pm for full match commentary
