Gary Johnson’s men return to Plainmoor on Saturday, as Gateshead make the long trip down to Devon to take on The Gulls.
With two points separating the two teams, Mike Williamson’s side travel to Plainmoor on the back of victory over Southend last Saturday, whilst United side will be looking to bounce back from the unfortunate 1-0 defeat to Barnet last time out.
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 tough National League return for Gateshead so far this season, with Williamson’s side currently positioned in 22nd place on 16 points after 19 games having won 3, drawn 7 and lost 9. After drawing their opening three fixtures against Dagenham & Redbridge (2-2), Barnet (2-2) and Notts County (1-1) the side went on to succumb to three back-to-back defeats before registering their first win of the season in a 4-1 victory over Maidstone in early September. The Heed come into Saturday’s match at Plainmoor following their third victory of the season which saw Williamson’s side run out 3-1 winners over Southend last weekend.
Player to Watch
Striker Adam Campbell has scored 8 goals, totals 5 assists so far this season and has been an ever-present for the Heed throughout the current campaign, and was also named as Gateshead’s Player of the Month in August. The 27-year-old originally arrived at Gateshead on loan from Newcastle United in January 2015 and went on to score 5 goals in 8 appearances, but returned on permanent terms over five years later as Williamson’s first summer signing in May 2021.
Campbell went on to establish himself as a favourite amongst The Heed supporters last campaign, scoring 14 goals and recording 12 assists on the way to the club’s National League North title. In April this year, Campbell penned a new deal which will see him remain at the Gateshead International Stadium until the summer of 2024.
The forward brings a wealth of experience to Williamson’s side, having previously made over 100 appearances in the Football League for the likes of Notts County, Morecambe and Carlisle United. Campbell also enjoyed two seasons at Darlington where he scored 22 goals in 60 appearances.
Played for Both
Ruairi Keating represented both The Gulls and The Heed during his time in English football, with his time at Plainmoor proving particularly memorbale.
Keating arrived at Plainmoor in February 2017 and went on to make his debut shortly after in the 1-1 draw at home against Macclesfield Town, before registering his first goal in yellow the following month – a 90th minute winner against Southport. The forward went on to score two more times in the closing stages of the season, as United retained their National League status.
Following relegation to the National League South, and the arrival of current manager Gary Johnson, Keating was deployed in a new position on the right side of midfield, and was a key component in the side that bounced back to the National League at the first attempt as champions. Ruairi eventually departed Plainmoor for then National League North side Gateshead in January 2020, and following his departure from The Heed in November 2020, the 27-year-old returned to Ireland and has since played for the likes of Galway United and Cork City.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 1 – 1 Gateshead, 12th December 2017, National League.
There was late drama when United hosted Gateshead back in December 2017, as a late leveller from captain Sean McGinty secured a share of the points on a cold evening at Plainmoor.
In a closely contested first half, United looked to be on top, but after Jamie Reid saw a goal disallowed for offside and Alex Davey had a header denied by the crossbar, it was the visitors who eventually went on to take the lead on 28 minutes through Jordan Preston.
That lead remained intact until in the 90th minute when McGinty headed home the equaliser after picking up on a loose ball from a corner, to ensure the game ended all square.
Torquay United v Gateshead | Saturday 26th November 2022 3pm | Vanarama National League | Tickets | OFFICIAL TUFC RADIO