Match Details
Next Match
Gateshead
Middlesbrough U21s
Gateshead make the trip to Rockliffe Park to face Middlesbrough U23s in a behind closed doors pre-season closer on Saturday.
The Heed come into the final game of pre-season having faced a variety of opposition, including Premier League and Championship sides Newcastle United and Sunderland as well as local fixtures against Dunston UTS and Hebburn Town.
Last weekend saw Mike Williamson’s men defeated 3-1 by Harrogate Town at Gateshead International Stadium, with former Heed forward Luke Armstrong netting twice.
The trip to Rockliffe Park precedes the Vanarama National League’s opening weekend, which sees Gateshead travel to Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday, August 6.
Middlesbrough U21s have faced a number of non-league opponents so far, most recently drawing 2-2 at Dunston UTS in midweek.
Boro edged a 2-1 win at Darlington last weekend with a mixture of first team names and youngsters involved, and won 5-0 at Bishop Auckland in their pre-season opener.
Heed View
“It’s all about refining the process,” said Williamson.
“It’s our last test until we go into the season when the real football starts, but we still want to build the lads’ fitness.
“We’re looking at everything we’ve worked on from the first day, how we can bring all that together and keep improving.”
Team News
Dan Jarvis is set to miss the opening few weeks of the season due to injury.
Lewis Knight remains a long-term absence following an injury sustained during training earlier in pre-season.
New signing Will Harris could make his first Gateshead appearance of pre-season after signing on Friday.
Supporter Information
This fixture will be played behind closed doors at Rockliffe Park, meaning supporters are not permitted to attend.
Live updates will be provided on the club’s social media channels and website.
Gateshead secured a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough U21s to cap off their 22/23 pre-season schedule.
Paul Blackett, Will Harris and Aaron Martin all struck at Rockliffe Park to see The Heed end on a high ahead of next weekend’s National League opener at Dagenham & Redbridge.
Blackett set the tone four minutes in with his fourth of pre-season, slotting through his marker’s legs before chipping over the on-rushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net to open the scoring.
The lead was chalked off within seven minutes however, as Boro struck back with a swift counter attack which ended with Langley unable to prevent a low close-range finish, shortly before he was withdrawn due to injury.
Gateshead enjoyed most of the possession from that point onwards but couldn’t create clear cut chances, with Adam Campbell robbing possession high up the pitch on numerous occasions only for attempted crosses to be blocked at the last second.
Harris was introduced just after the half-hour mark for his first minutes in Heed colours, and linked up nicely with Dan Ward on the stroke of half time only for the latter to fire wide.
Gateshead’s newest recruit restored his side’s lead nine minutes after the restart though, turning away from his man inside the box to rifle a low shot home.
Martin added a third in style with 61 minutes on the clock to establish control when his persistence created space for himself 25 yards out, before he lashed into the top corner to leave the goalkeeper stranded.
Campbell came close to making it four with 20 minutes to go when his trivela effort crashed against the crossbar, while Owen Bailey and Greg Olley saw efforts deflect wide of the mark.
Gateshead’s two-goal lead remained come the full-time whistle however, capping off pre-season with a win against Boro’s youngsters.
Gateshead: Langley (Montgomery, 18’), Tinkler, Storey, Richardson (Forbes, 62’), Pye, Olley (c), Bailey, Ward (Trialist, 62’), Martin (Allan, 62’), Blackett (Harris, 33’), Campbell.
Goals: Blackett (4’), Harris (54’), Martin (61’)
Next Match
Official Club Partners
