Match Details
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Gateshead
Barnet
A place at Wembley is up for grabs as Gateshead host Barnet in the Isuzu FA Trophy semi-final at Gateshead International Stadium on Saturday, April 1 (3pm kick-off).
Gateshead, who moved out of the National League’s bottom four following Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge, have already played out two draws against Barnet this season.
The Heed have defeated Gloucester City, Banbury United and Oldham Athletic in this year’s FA Trophy campaign, as well as edging past Farsley Celtic on penalties in the previous round after a stalemate in the 90 minutes.
Mike Williamson’s side can take confidence from their recent form, particularly at home where they’ve lost just two of the eight games since the turn of the year.
The hosts will be hoping it’s third time lucky as Gateshead have never reached the final of the competition, but lost in the semi-final to Darlington in 2011 and Bromley in 2018.
While Gateshead are fighting against relegation, Barnet are battling at the other end of the league table as The Bees currently sit fifth and in a play-off position.
Dean Brennan’s outfit, like Gateshead, head into the fixture five games unbeaten following a 1-1 draw against Woking in midweek.
Barnet also needed luck from a penalty shootout to advance through the quarter-final of the FA Trophy against Maidstone United.
Their run has also included victories over Plymouth Parkway, Solihull Moors and Torquay United.
Heed View
“All we can do is focus on the boys who are available,” said assistant manager Ian Watson.
“We’re blessed with quality throughout the squad – we’ll have lads who come through and get the opportunity to impress.
“We’ve got full belief in the group, and the team we put out on Saturday is one which we believe will win the game.
“The lads who are on the bench we believe can come on and make a positive impact, so it’s no problem that several lads are missing.
“We believe in the boys and we’re proud of them all the time, so they can go onto the pitch full of confidence.”
Opposition View
“Every game is big for us,” stated Barnet manager Dean Brennan.
“It’s a huge game and it’s a good opportunity for both teams – I think Gateshead are a very good side, we drew twice with them in the league campaign.
“You need a little bit of luck in the cup but you’ve got to earn luck in life.”
Team News
Kenton Richardson, Lewis Knight, Mike Williamson and Will Harris are unavailable due to injury and illness.
Callum Whelan, Connor Pani, Ed Francis, Marcus Dinanga, Stephen Wearne and Tom Allan are all cup tied for the fixture.
Ticketing Information
Tickets can be purchased online until 12pm on Saturday, or from the Gateshead International Stadium ticket office from 12pm on Saturday, with admission priced at:
Adult: £18
Concession (65+, Blue Light, Armed Services or Veteran): £12
Young Adult, 17-21: £8
Youth (16 & under): £4*
*Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult
Segregation will be in place, with Barnet supporters seated in the East Stand.
Always fans are to enter via the gate to the right of the main reception, heading behind the South Stand and towards the East Stand access gate.
Turnstiles will be open from 1:30pm and supporters are advised to enter as early as possible to avoid queuing.
Tickets purchased online are not posted to supporters and must be either printed at home or shown via smartphone upon entry.
Click here for additional supporter information.
Live Commentary
Live commentary is available via the Heed Army Podcast’s YouTube channel, provided by David Gaddess and Mark Carruthers.
Substitutes
Substitutes
Gateshead became FA Trophy finalists for the first time – and secured a second appearance at Wembley Stadium – following a six-goal thriller and a penalty shootout at Gateshead International Stadium.
A penalty in the second minute gave Adam Campbell an early goal, before The Heed doubled their advantage in the 24th minute via a Louis Storey volley.
Gateshead had a three-goal advantage by the 37th minute when Greg Olley found the back of the net, although Barnet got one back when Harry Smith headed home Ben Wynter’s cross in the 40th minute.
The Bees got their second to reduce Gateshead’s advantage to one when Harry Pritchard converted his penalty, and Pritchard completed the comeback deep in added time to force a penalty shootout
James Montgomery saved two in the shootout for the second round running to set up Louis Storey, who slammed home his spot-kick to send Gateshead into euphoria and a date at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 21.
Mike Williamson would make five changes to the team that was seen in the 3-0 win against Dagenham last week. Six players would be cup-tied, including Marcus Dinanga and Stephen Wearne. Kamil Conteh would be reintroduced into the starting XI after he returned from international duty with Sierra Leone.
Gateshead were awarded a penalty in the third minute. Dan Ward’s shot was blocked by Emmanuel Fernandez’s hand. Campbell buried the penalty hard into the bottom left corner to give Gateshead the advantage.
Dale Gorman whipped a dangerous cross to the back-post, which Harry Smith headed over in the 16th minute.
Aaron Martin played in Olley, whose low-driven shot was saved by Laurie Walker. The rebound was there for Campbell to get his second, but Sam Woods was able to clear the ball away in the 22nd minute.
Storey doubled Gateshead’s advantage in the 24th minute. Campbell’s dangerous cross was volleyed home by Storey to make it three goals in two games for the defender.
Olley was added to the scoresheet when he scored in the 37th minute. After Walker saved the Gateshead captains’ initial shot, Olley showed his composure to tap in the rebound.
Smith got Barnet back into the game in the 40th minute. An unmarked Wynter had time to pick out Smith at the back-post.
Barnet were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute after Magnay fouled Senior. Harry Pritchard stepped up to convert the penalty down the middle.
Barnet completed the comeback when Pritchard slotted home a loose ball from Jerome Okimo’s long-throw 14 minutes into added time, forcing a penalty shootout.
James Montgomery stepped up to save two spot kicks – just as he did in the quarter-final – with Gateshead’s penalty takers converting all four, as Storey slammed home the fourth to send The Heed to Wembley for the second time.
Gateshead: Montgomery, Tinkler, Storey, Magnay (Forbes, 80′ (Archer, 90+9′)), Pye, Ward, Thompson (Bailey, 53′) Conteh, Olley, Campbell, Martin.
Subs: Marschall.
Goals: Campbell (4’), Storey (24’), Olley (37’)
Yellow Cards: Magnay (64′), Campbell (88′)
Barnet: Walker, Fernandez (De Havilland, 45’), Potter, Collinge, Okimo, Gorman, Kanu, Pritchard, Wynter, Woods (Kabamba, 45’), Smith (Senior, 61’)
Subs: Callan, Beard, Powell, Moyo.
Goals: Fernandez (40’), Pritchard (80’), (90+12’)
Yellow Cards: Gorman (2′), Kanu (51′)
Attendance: 2,897 (446 away)
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