Gateshead kick off an action-packed Easter weekend at home to Scunthorpe United on Friday, April 7 in league action (3pm kick-off).
Mike Williamson’s side are currently seven games unbeaten and clear of the National League relegation zone by five points with two games in hand.
Last time out The Heed notched four against Yeovil Town on Tuesday night, with Marcus Dinanga’s brace alongside goals from Connor Pani and Owen Bailey sending The Glovers further into the drop zone.
Dinanga has played an instrumental part in Gateshead’s turn in form, with the forward registering four goals from his six appearances on home turf.
After falling from League Two last season, this weekend could see Scunthorpe slip into the National League North with The Iron nine points below safety.
Scunthorpe have won one away game since the end of 2021, beating Halifax in January under the guidance of former Gateshead player-coach Michael Nelson.
In that time, they’ve played 32 games on the road under four different managers and only scored 18 goals.
Jimmy Dean’s outfit beat Wealdstone 4-1 at home in the middle of March but recently lost to Notts County and Torquay United, along with a goalless draw at York City.
Heed View
“We’ve watched them,” said Gateshead boss Mike Williamson.
“Nelse [Michael Nelson] was here on Tuesday night making notes so we know they’re coming with a plan. We know how diligent Nelse is and he knows a lot of our lads as well.
“It’s going to be an incredibly tough game and one we’re really looking forward to because it’ll be on every front – tactically, technically and physically.
“We’ve got to make sure we focus on ourselves and enjoy winning the war.”
Opposition View
“It’s a really difficult fixture,” commented Scunthorpe manager Jimmy Dean.
“Gateshead are a team that’s possession-based and they’re flying at the minute, they’ve won their last four, and their performances are way above their league position.
“It’s going to be a really difficult task going there – we’re well prepared though.”
Team News
Elliot Forbes, Kenton Richardson, Lewis Knight, Mike Williamson, Quevin Castro, Tom Allan and Will Harris are unavailable due to injury.
Ticketing Information
Tickets can be purchased online or on the gate at Gateshead International Stadium, with admission priced at:
Adult: £18
Concession (65+, Blue Light, Armed Services or Veteran): £12
Young adult, 17-21 – £8
Youth, 15-16: £5
Under 14: Free (must be accompanied by a paying adult)
Segregation will be in place, with Scunthorpe supporters seated in the East Stand.
Away supporters can purchase tickets online here, or on the gate via cash or card.
Home supporters can purchase tickets online here, or on the gate via cash or card.
Turnstiles will be open from 1:30pm.
Tickets purchased online are not posted to supporters and must be either printed at home or shown via smartphone upon entry.
Live Streaming
Supporters can watch Friday’s game from Gateshead International Stadium via www.nationalleaguetv.com, with match day passes priced at £9.50.
Fans will have the ability to switch between any National League fixture streamed on any given match day.
Substitutes
Substitutes
Greg Olley and Stephen Wearne found the net as Gateshead moved six points clear of the relegation zone with victory over Scunthorpe United.
There were two changes for Gateshead as Kamil Conteh and Dan Ward joined the midfield, while former Heed loanee Danny Elliott lined up for the visitors.
The Heed started the game well and could’ve gone ahead through captain Olley on five minutes, however Ben Richards-Everton made a vital block to stop the powerful shot.
Conteh and Marcus Dinanga then fired efforts off target for the hosts, before Olley notched Gateshead’s opener on 18 minutes.
It was Stephen Wearne who created the goal, beating his man and chipping a ball into the back stick where Olley smashed into the top corner.
The Iron hardly challenged the Gateshead backline all afternoon, and their jobs were made harder on 33 minutes when Wearne made it 2-0.
It was again the combination of Wearne and Olley that caused trouble, with the former finding the back of the net after some great link-up play on the left.
With 38 on the clock, Scunthorpe went a man down as Tom Pugh tripped down Conteh on the halfway line before stamping on him.
The start of the second half was similar to the first, with centre-back Ethan Pye clipping the post with a driven 30-yard strike.
Moments later, Dan Ward tried to get on the scoresheet for Mike Williamson’s side but his curling effort was stopped by Tom Billson.
Wearne then turned inside for Gateshead before blasting an attempt at shot-stopper Billson from the left.
Billson made another good stop for Jimmy Dean’s outfit on the 70 mark, preventing Conteh’s effort after Ward squared it across goal.
The woodwork denied Gateshead for a second time on 77 minutes after Ward skipped past two defenders and smashed the near post.
And with Gateshead happy to see the game out, The Heed now move up to 18th in the National League table.
Gateshead: Marschall, Tinkler, Storey, Pye, Ward, Conteh, Whelan (Bailey 75’), Francis, Olley, Wearne, Dinanga (Martin 46’)
Unused subs: Montgomery, Campbell, Pani
Goals: Olley (18’), Wearne (33’)
Scunthorpe United: Billson, Ogle, Smith, Richards-Everton, Shrimpton, Leake, Feeney (Rance 64’), Shields, Pugh, Elliott (Carver 64’), Wilson (Sembie-Ferris 74’)
Unused subs: Boyce, Butterfield.
Red cards: Pugh (38’)
Attendance: 1,804 (402 Scunthorpe)