Match Preview

Alfreton Town make the journey to the Gateshead International Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a mid-table clash against the Heed in the National League North, kick off is 3pm.

The Reds will be desperate to return to winning ways after Tuesday night's FA Trophy exit at home to Blyth Spartans. Alfreton were hit with three goals in 17 first half minutes as we were blown away in the first half and the manner at which we started the contest, Billy Heath will demand a correction to that on Saturday.

Roberts struck after five minutes with a great strike into the top corner, McGlade then fired low into the far corner in the box as the Spartans struck us with two clinical strikes. Sweet then added a third, latching onto a under-hit back pass from Danny Clarke, Sweet finished low under Jack Atkinson.

Amari Morgan-Smith pulled one back for us in the second half with a fantastic low volley into the bottom corner but the damage was done from the first half.

It was another damaging cup exit early on after an early departure from the FA Cup to Kings Lynn earlier in the season. Injuries have also blighted Billy Heath and the squad with Dom Smith coming off against Blyth with concussion adding to the likes of Bobby Johnson, David Lynch, Danny East and Josh Wilde on the sidelines.

Alfreton will need to get through this period within the squad and look to return to winning ways to stay within the mix of the play offs in the National League North.

We head into the game looking to avoid a third straight defeat in all competitions, our last win came at Hereford back on the 12th November. The Reds have won just once in the last five in all competitions.

Away form has seen us lose just twice (York and Chester) in our last five and we'll be aiming to avoid a third game without a win on the road tomorrow.

Hosts Gateshead return to the International Stadium for the first time since November 10th with the Heed's last four games all being away. They currently sit in 11th place in the league table with 24 points from 17 games, they are one point and one place below us.

Their current playing record stands at: P17, W6, D6, L5.

Gateshead have lost four of their last five games in all competitions but they did earn a good point at Kidderminster in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night, this was their first goal in four games after drawing a blank against Kings Lynn, Halesowen and Alty.

Home form at the GIS has been very strong with the Heed only losing three times with just two defeats coming in the league.

Ground Address:
The International Stadium, Neilson Road, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE10 0EF.

Admission:
Tickets will be available on the gate at the International Stadium and are priced as follows:
Adults - £15, NUFC/SAFC Season Ticket holders - £10, Concessions - £8, Under-16’s - £5, Under-12’s – FREE (with a paying adult)

Information for travelling Reds:
Tickets are available on the gate on Saturday afternoon, with away fans entering the International Stadium via turnstiles 1 and 2 as segregation will be in place.

Form (Last five):
Reds - LWDLL
Gateshead - LLLLD

Last Meeting:
Wednesday 19th October 2016: Gateshead 2-3 ATFC (After extra time)
Our last meeting with the Heed was in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round back in 2016 as we progressed into the first round proper after an extra time win. The first tie at the Impact ended 2-2 with the Reds travelling up for the Replay. Craig Westcarr gave us the lead before an Andy Monkhouse own goal and a Brundle finish turned the game on it's head.

We rallied and equalised thanks to Sam Smith before Westy secured the win in extra time to complete a memorable FA Cup fixture.