Match Details
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Gateshead
Rochdale
Gateshead make their first trip to Rochdale in just under five years on Tuesday, October 24 (7:45pm kick off).
The Heed last travelled to the Crown Oil Arena for an Emirates FA Cup first round tie in November 2018, facing a Rochdale side who sat in the middle of League One while Gateshead were battling against off-field struggles in the National League.
A 2-1 scoreline went in favour of the hosts that day, though Gateshead ran them close, with Jon Mellish’s strike providing a memorable moment in the away end.
In the present day, Gateshead sit six places above Rochdale, whose recent form has seen them slip out of the play-off positions.
The Heed enter a new era on Tuesday with Rob Elliot in interim charge for the first time following the departures of Mike Williamson, Ian Watson and Chris Bell last week, with his first home fixture to come on Saturday.
The Dale were on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller against Oldham Athletic on Saturday, losing 4-3 to see their opponents move two points above them in the National League table.
Rochdale’s last win on home soil came against title contenders Barnet midway through September, with Tyrese Sinclair, Harvey Gilmour and Ian Henderson on the scoresheet.
Henderson netted against Gateshead in 2018’s FA Cup tie, and has scored five in the National League so far this season.
Heed View
“They play really good football and have some very good players,” said Rob Elliot on Monday afternoon.
“It’s going to be a really good game and we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”
Opposition View
“It’s going to expose the wafer-thin nature of the squad, there’s no doubt about it,” said Jimmy McNulty following Rochdale’s defeat to Oldham Athletic.
“Every injury we get hurts my soul. The players are giving me everything, but we’re in a vulnerable state squad-wise.
“Everyone saw though that they will give their all, no matter what time we put out, whatever position they end up playing for us.”
Team News
Robbie Tinkler is unavailable for selection after dislocating his shoulder at Stourbridge.
Live Streaming
Tuesday’s game will be available to watch via National League TV, with match day passes priced at £9.50.
Ticketing Information
Tickets are available to purchase online here, with admission priced at:
Adult: £22
65+ (Senior): £17
21 & under: £10
13 & under: £5 (must be accompanied by a paying adult)
Two & under: Free*
*Supporters aged two and under will still require a ticket, but can enter free of charge with a paying adult. The Rochdale ticket office can be contacted in this instance on 01706 644648.
Tickets will also be available on the gate at the Crown Oil Arena – a cash sales porta cabin facing the five-a-side pitch will be open from 6pm.
Supporters paying by card will be required to purchase from Rochdale’s ticket office, though supporters should note that this window is expected to be busy. The ticket office will be open from 9am on the day of the game.
Substitutes
Substitutes
Gateshead came from two goals down to earn a point at Rochdale in Rob Elliot’s first game as interim manager.
Joshua Uchegbulam and Ian Henderson’s first half strikes put the hosts in a seemingly comfortable position at the break, before a dominant Heed display after the interval saw Ed Francis and Kenton Richardson restore parity.
Elliot re-introduced Louis Storey to the starting line-up at the Crown Oil Arena with Robbie Tinkler ruled out through injury, while Callum Whelan returned to a National League squad for the first time since the opening day.
An end-to-end start from two of the division’s most dominant sides on a possession front saw chances both ways in the opening 15 minutes, as Kairo Mitchell and Henderson fired wide and over for the hosts.
Marcus Dinanga rounded Louie Moulden at the other end and tried to force the ball across the line from a tight angle, only for his effort to roll wide of the far post with no Gateshead shirts in a position to pounce.
Uchegbulam opened the scoring with 16 minutes on the clock in style though, curling a 25-yarder into the top corner to settle Rochdale’s nerves.
The home side made it two once another nine minutes went by – this time it was Henderson who followed up Mitchell’s saved effort to nod into an unguarded net and make Gateshead’s task that much more difficult.
Storey saw a tap in disallowed for offside as Elliot’s side looked to find a spark which would ignite a comeback, and that spark certainly arrived in the second half.
Gateshead were largely dominant after re-emerging from the interval and pulled one back within 10 minutes through Francis, who shifted Marcus Dinanga’s pass onto his left foot and rifled into the top corner to halve the deficit.
Dinanga almost levelled the game up himself immediately after Francis’ strike, racing through on goal and attempting to chip Moulden only to be thwarted by the goalkeeper’s outstretched hand from close range.
It proved to be a goal from an unlikely source to drag Gateshead to level terms, as Richardson made a driving run to collect Kyran Lofthouse’s ball into the box and smash low past Moulden to reach the far corner.
Archie Mair was called upon late on to prevent Uchegbulam from stealing a third for Rochdale, with his stop ensuring The Heed left the Crown Oil Arena with a point to show for their efforts.
Gateshead: Mair, Richardson, Storey, Grayson, Lofthouse (Chadwick, 86’), Hannant (Hunter, 79’), Francis, Booty, Olley, Wearne (McBride, 83’), Dinanga.
Substitutes: Rutledge, Whelan.
Goals: Francis (55’), Richardson (68’)
Yellow Cards: Francis (63’), Dinanga (68’), Lofthouse (72’)
Rochdale: Moulden, East, Ebanks-Landell, Gilmour, Hayes (Clayton, 86’), Henderson, Keohane, Mitchell, Nevett, Oduroh, Uchegbulam.
Goals: Uchegbulam (16’), Henderson (25’)
Substitutes: Kelly, Afuye, McDermott, Taylor.
Yellow Cards: Oduroh (75’), Keohane (90+3’)
Attendance: 1,929 (129 Gateshead)
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