We are now seven games into the Vanarama National League season, as FC Halifax Town travel to Gateshead FC on Bank Holiday Monday in search of their third win in a row.
The Tynesiders look set to be a tough opponent for Billy Heath’s men, not to mention the host of former Shaymen that will make an appearance for the home side, in the form of both players and staff.
Current Form
After the six games played so far in the National League, Gateshead currently sit sixth in the league table following three wins, a draw and two losses. A decent start for Neil Aspin’s side, who, of course, spent six years in charge of the Shaymen, guiding them to the then Conference Premier for the first time since re-formation.
On the opening day, Gateshead travelled to Woking where three first half goals saw them lose 2-1, Danny Johnson getting on the scoresheet for the visitors. Despite this, just three days later, a Neill Byrne strike in the second half was enough to see off Town’s last opponents Guiseley in a 1-0 victory.
A second win in a row followed for the Tynesiders, with Richard Peniket scoring the second in a 3-0 victory over Torquay United before losing to Wrexham just a few days later. Since then though, another 3-0 win over Macclesfield and a goalless draw with Ebbsfleet have seen Aspin’s men rack up ten points so far.
Town’s results have been a little more rounded, with two of each possible result in the 2017/18 campaign so far leaving them with a tall of eight points. The Shaymen will be hoping to make that three wins when they make the journey north to the Gateshead International Stadium.
Key Man
With former Shaymen on show in the North East, Town fans will certainly be familiar with Gateshead’s attacking line, led by the likes of Peniket and Jordan Burrow. Both two impressive talents, although Burrow would be the main man to keep an eye on.
After scoring into double figures for Lincoln City in 2014/15, Burrow joined the Shaymen in the National League where he once again showed his fine form.
Come the end of the season, the Sheffield-born forward had notched fourteen goals as Town succumbed to the heartbreak of relegation.
Burrow briefly remained a Shaymen in the National League North, making just eight appearances before being picked up by Gateshead. Following his move, Burrow netted eight times in the first half of the season, and with one goal so far in this campaign, he could prove to be a likely danger man.
Last Meeting
The last meetings between the two sides came just two seasons ago, when the Shaymen last featured in the National League. The home leg saw the teams play out a 1-1 draw in September 2015.
Just two months later, it was time for the away leg, which turned out to be a much more favourable result for the Shaymen. A whopping 4-1 victory at the International Stadium was the start of a thirteen match unbeaten run for Town in all competitions, before losing in February 2016 to Forest Green Rovers.
Match Officials
Referee: Andrew Miller
Assistants: Iain Turner, Paul Tomes
Fourth Official: Alex Clark
Follow the Game
There will be live updates and commentary available on the club website and Shaymen TV.
You can also follow the action via Town’s official Twitter account, @FCHTOnline
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