Gary Johnson’s men make their longest journey of the season on Saturday, as they head to the North East to face Gateshead.
With three points separating the two teams, Mike Williamson’s side will also be looking to gain some ground on the teams above as the season enters the final run in.
Who’s the Boss?
Player-Manager Mike Williamson took the helm at Gateshead in the summer of 2019. Williamson is currently in his fifth season at Gateshead where he originally arrived as a player in the pre-season of 2018/19. After moving into the coaching team as a player-coach in January 2019, it was that summer he moved into his player-manager position.
During his first season in charge, the 39-year-old’s side made it into the National League North play-off semi-final, before the following curtailed season saw The Heed finish 10th, two points outside the play-offs. However a successful third season managing the side followed. Williamson guided Gateshead to the National League North title, and after his side tallied 94 points and scored 99 goals throughout the 2021/22 campaign, there was no surprise when he was later named the National League North Manager of the Season.
Williamson combined his managerial role as a player for The Heed, and has continued to feature for the side again this season, making three appearances so far, and starting in the 3-1 victory over Southend last weekend.
Gateshead’s player-manager is best known for his six-season stint at Newcastle United where he made over 150 appearances mostly in the Premier League; but Williamson will be a familiar face for United supporters after he enjoyed two spells at Plainmoor. As a teenager Williamson made around half a dozen appearances for United before moving to Southampton for an undisclosed fee, but returned to the English Riviera in September 2003 to make a further ten appearances. The defender has also played for the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Watford, Portsmouth, and Wolves.
How have they been doing?
It’s been a mixed bag for Gateshead this season, with three straight draws in their opening three games being followed by three defeats. Their first victory back in the National League came against Maidstone where they ran out 4-1 winners at the start of September, and their first away win came a few weeks later at Maidenhead United. However nine league games without a win followed before a 3-1 home win against Southend in mid-November halted that run, though it was more mixed results that followed with the Heed’s first win of 2023 coming at the end of January away at Wealdstone. last time out was a 0-0 draw against FC Halifax. Away from the league Gateshead have reached the Semi-Finals of the FA Trophy where they will have a home draw against Barnet for a place at Wembley in June. Coming into this game they sit in 21st position on 33 points from their 34 games, and have seven wins, 13 draws and 14 defeats so far this season.
Player to Watch
Owen Bailey is a Gateshead defender and joined the club after a trial in July 2021, and was a pivotal part of the Heed’s title winning side of 2021/22, making 49 appearances and scoring four goals while creating six assists. Bailey was also a member of the Newcastle United U-23 side in 2020/21, while in 2019 he captained the Magpies second string side to a Premier League 2 Division Two Play Off Final and also a Premier League Cup Final.
Played for Both
Shaun MacDonald started his career with Gateshead, though only made two starts in a two year spell at the club between 2015-2017,before moving to Blyth Spartans for 2017/18 season, but once again games were sparse and he only made one appearance for the club before he came South and joined United ahead of their National League South campaign. MacDonald was part of the team that saw Gary Johnson’s men claim a first league title in over 90 years, and an immediate return to the National League. In his time at Plainmoor the goalkeeper played over 100 games for the Club, and was also voted as the Yellow Army’s Player Of The Season for 2021/22. The 26 year old then moved to Cheltenham Town ahead of the current campaign, though has yet to make a league appearance for the Robins.
Previous Encounter
Gateshead 1 – 2 Torquay United, 2nd April 2016, National League.
You have to go back nearly seven years for the last time United won at the Gateshead International Stadium, when a goal by Iffy Allen in the 49th minute and an Andre Wright strike in the 72nd minute, saw the Gulls come back from a goal down after Jon Shaw had given the Heed a 21st minute lead to run out 2-1 winners.
Gateshead have provided an update to supporters travelling tomorrow, with the Yellow Army being relocated to the Tyne & Wear stand for tomorrow’s encounter. For full details, please click HERE.
Gateshead v Torquay United | Saturday 18th March 2023, 3pm | Vanarama National League | Tickets | OFFICIAL TUFC RADIO