Match Preview: Gateshead Soul

Next up on the road for the Gateshead is a 544-mile round trip to The Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium to face Braintree Town.

Braintree come into Saturday’s game having lost 2-0 against Boston United on Wednesday evening. The Iron are placed 19^th in the National League, one point above the drop zone, and will be looking to build upon last season’s 17^th placed finish, finishing four points above the drop zone. There’s plenty of Football League experience within the Braintree squad, with familiar names Tommy Smith, Alan Judge and John Akinde all turning out for The Iron.

We’ve Met Before

In the most recent meeting between these two sides, Braintree clinched all three points with a 3-1 victory on Tyneside. Dan Jones’ header gave The Heed the lead midway through the first half, before three second half Braintree goals ensured the points returned to Essex, with Chay Cooper and Kyreece Lisbie scoring either side of a John Akinde penalty.

Travel & Ticketing Information

The Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium is located to the South East of Braintree Town Centre and is around a 25-minute walk from the Town Centre, or 20-minute walk from either Braintree Railway Station or Braintree Freeport Railway Station.

If you’re heading down by rail, Braintree Station is to the South-East of the town centre, around a mile from the ground and has a taxi rank outside, you can also catch the 38 or 38A bus from Braintree Railway Station to the ground. Braintree Freeport is closer, but you can only access the ground on foot from this station, it’s around a 20-minute walk to the ground from here.

There are no direct trains from Newcastle Central Station to Braintree or Braintree Freeport, so our recommended route would be to catch an LNER or Lumo service from Newcastle to London Kings Cross, change onto the London Underground – Circle, Metropolitan or Hammersmith & City lines to Liverpool Street, then catch an Abellio Greater Anglia service from Liverpool Street to Braintree or Braintree Freeport.

If you’re travelling by car, from the North, leave the M25 at Junction 27 and head north on the M11. Leave the M11 at Junction 8 and head east on the A120. Follow the A120 for 16 miles until you reach Galley’s Corner roundabout. Take the 1^st exit on to Cressing Road, the ground is approximately ¾ of a mile on the left, and is signposted.

There is a small car park at the ground, and usage does incur a small charge. The car park closes around 30 minutes prior to kick-off. There is ample on-street parking around the stadium.

Tickets can be purchased ahead of the fixture, and are available online here, priced at:

Adult: £20.94
Concession (OAP): £15.71
Under 18: £10.47
Under 12: £5.24

Adult tickets purchased on the day are subject to a price increase and will be charged at £22.

Braintree Town encourage supporters wishing to purchase an e-ticket online and enter the stadium via gates 1-4 to avoid delays at the turnstiles. There will still be one designated turnstile only for card and cash payments operating for those who choose not to purchase a ticket online, but lengthy delays are possible, and you are advised to arrive in sufficient time to avoid delay in entering the ground.

Segregation will not be in force for this game.

Bars & Pubs

Away fans are welcome in the Quag End Fan Zone, within the stadium, which will be open from 1pm with a bar selling lagers and ales, together with Sindy’s Hot Food Outlet which will also be open next to the entrance to the Quag End Bar.

Orange Tree, Greene King – Cressing Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3PH

The Picture Tree, Wetherspoon – Fairfield Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3HA

The Pub – 2 East Street, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3JJ

For those that can’t make it, Gateshead Legion Club is open from 2pm on Saturday, and welcome all Gateshead supporters.