Match Details
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Gateshead
Bradford (Park Avenue)
Gateshead travel to West Yorkshire this evening to face Bradford (Park Avenue) at Horsfall Stadium (7:45pm kick off).
The Heed head to Bradford on the back of two consecutive defeats, but remain in a strong position in the Vanarama National League North in third place with two games in hand over league leaders Brackley Town.
Three points at Horsfall Stadium would see Mike Williamson’s side return to second in the league table and move within two points of top spot.
Bradford (Park Avenue) come into the clash on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Steve Watson’s Chester on Saturday with Brad Dockerty netting the only goal.
Three points for Mark Bower’s side would see them move up to 17th in the league table and afford some space between themselves and the relegation zone.
Avenue have only lost once in their last five home league games – a 3-0 defeat to Brackley Town – and three of their four league wins have come on home soil.
Heed View
“We’re happy to face challenges and hurdles and it’s a big one for us,” said Williamson after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Chorley.
“All we know is to reflect and work harder, that’s in our DNA, and we’ll wait and see on Monday the reaction to it.”
Opposition View
“Gateshead are the best team we’ve played this season, and they’ve got a good mix of everything,” said Bradford (Park Avenue) manager, Mark Bower.
“They keep the ball well, and are a possession-based team, so our 3G pitch will suit them, but they have a bit of steel too.
“They have a bit of ruthlessness about them, and they’re a side who can defend well and are a threat from set-pieces.
“They can beat you in a few different ways, so it will be difficult, but we had a bad result (a 6-2 defeat) in the FA Cup up there earlier in the season, so the lads want to put that right.”
Team News
Dan Ward remains unavailable for selection due to a hamstring injury.
Last Time We Met
Gateshead ran out 6-2 winners against Bradford (Park Avenue) when the two sides met in the Emirates FA Cup second round qualifying in September 2021.
Greg Olley, Dan Ward, Macaulay Langstaff & Matty Jacob were all on the scoresheet with five goals coming in a ruthless second half performance.
Ticketing Details
Tickets are available to purchase on the gate at Horsfall Stadium this evening, with admission priced at:
Adult – £14
Concession – £10
Student – £5
Youth (12-17) – £3
Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1
Substitutes
Substitutes
Gateshead returned to form with a commanding 4-2 win at Bradford (Park Avenue) on Monday evening.
Paul Blackett’s double in the first half and Adam Campbell’s 25-yard curler put Gateshead in command at half time, before Brad Dockerty and Francis Maguire hauled Bradford back into it early in the second half.
Cedwyn Scott’s 13th of the season off the bench made sure of the result and ensured The Heed returned to second place in the Vanarama National League North.
Mike Williamson made a number of changes from Saturday’s defeat to Chorley with Blackett, Carl Magnay, Jack Hunter and Connor Pani all starting at Horsfall Stadium.
The Heed got off to a dream start when Blackett darted in behind the Avenue defence and slotted into the far corner, handing the visitors the advantage only five minutes in.
The hosts looked to get themselves on the ball and settle into proceedings from then on but a resolute and organised Gateshead back-line halted most attacks before they got going.
Bradford looked to find Dylan Mottley-Henry on the wing early on and use his direct style to cause problems, though the closest he came was through a blocked shot at the near post which Jacob Chapman did well to close down.
Thirty-one minutes into the game and Campbell made it two for Williamson’s men, shifting onto his right foot and curling into the far corner from 25 yards to net a stunning second of the game.
Three minutes later and Blackett had his second, and Gateshead’s third, when Macaulay Langstaff evaded two defenders to get to the byline and cross into the middle where Blackett gladly slid home.
Bradford looked to mount a comeback as soon as the whistle went for the start of the second half though, scoring within two minutes when Dockerty slotted past Jacob Chapman.
The hosts found another four minutes later when a mistake at the back allowed Francis Maguire to pounce from close range and reduce the deficit to one goal.
Gateshead made a change in attack shortly afterwards with Scott replacing Blackett – a switch that paid dividends within four minutes when the forward prodded home Olley’s cross at the near post.
Williamson’s men continued to dominate from that point onwards and searched for a fifth with Langstaff striking the bar from a cross before Campbell drew a save from George Sykes-Kenworthy at his near post.
Langstaff smacked the woodwork again with seven minutes to go after Scott sent Olley’s corner into a box of crowded bodies, and Olley himself cracked the post late on direct from a wide free-kick.
Gateshead XI: Chapman, Tinkler, Storey, Hunter, Magnay, Bailey, Olley (c), Pani (Jacob, 59’), Blackett (Scott, 53’), Campbell (Williams, 86’), Langstaff.
Substitutes: Nicholson, Thomas.
Gateshead Goals: Blackett (5’, 34’), Campbell (31’), Scott (57’)
Gateshead Yellow Cards: Magnay (90+2’)
Bradford (Park Avenue) Goals: Dockerty (47’) Maguire (51’)
Attendance: 341
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