Gateshead vs AFC Fylde
Saturday 6th February, 2016, k/o 3pm
The International Stadium
FA Trophy third round
AFC Fylde travel to Gateshead this weekend in the last 16 of the FA Trophy.
The Coasters have made it through three rounds of the competition so far, firstly seeing of Warrington Town thanks to goals from Danny Lloyd and Caspar Hughes back in November.
The first round draw saw Dave Challinor’s side pitched against Skelmersdale United and after a thrilling 4-4 draw at Kellamergh Park and several postponements, the Coasters ran out 4-0 winners at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford.
A 14-hour round trip lay in wait for Fylde in the second round and the journey was made worthwhile courtesy of a 4-1 victory on the south coast.
Gateshead made light work of their opening match of the competition dispatching Stocksbridge Park Steels with a 4-1 victory at the International Stadium.
Their second round match was a much closer contest against National League high-flyers Eastleigh. Gateshead came from a goal down to secure their place at this stage with a 2-1 victory.
The Coasters have endured a mixed week of results with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at AFC Telford sightly soured by the 3-2 defeat at Chorley in midweek.
Gateshead are enjoying a fine run of form and are currently unbeaten in the last six attempts. A fantastic 1-0 victory over Grimsby Town at the weekend was followed up by a goalless draw at Barrow on Tuesday night.
Managed by Neil Aspin, Gateshead are currently ninth in the National League, just two points off fourth, whilst Fylde remain in fourth position in the National League North despite the defeat at Victory Park.
Danger men Ryan Bowman and Danny Johnson have ten goals between them in the last eight games, however Fylde hitman Danny Rowe has nine goals in his last seven matches alone .
The suspended Josh Langley will missed the trip to Tyneside following his red card against Worcester City last month, whilst Danny Lloyd picked up a knock against Chorley but should be fine for the weekend.
“Josh has missed quite a bit of the season already with a broken foot so it’s a blow that he will now miss the next three games,” said Challinor.
“The partnership between himself and Tom Hannigan is a very good one and it has taken me a long time as a manager to get the right centre-halves together to suit the way we play.
“This now brings opportunities for other players and we have the options of a straight swap for Dom Collins or potentially playing Brad Barnes or Stephen Crainey there. Whatever team we put out will be strong and desperate to win the game.”
Full third round draw:
Torquay United vs Macclesfield Town
Grimsby Town vs Havant & Waterlooville
Gateshead vs AFC Fylde
FC Halifax Town vs Chester
Woking vs Oxford City
Dover Athletic vs Guiseley AFC
Sutton United vs Bognor Regis Town
Nantwich Town vs Stourbridge
Ticket prices:
Adults £10
Concessions £5
Juniors £1
Gateshead supporters are housed in the main Tyne & Wear stand, which holds 3,200. Away fans are located in the opposite 4,000 capacity East Stand. Both stands are all-seater and covered and have refreshment and toilet facilities.
Directions:
Travelling up on the A1, turn off at the junction with the A194 just north of the Washington Services. Follow the A194 until the roundabout junction with the A184, turn left onto this road. The International Stadium is on the right after approximately 3 miles.
Away travel:
The club are offering travel to the match at a subsidised rate of just £10 to encourage as many fans as possible to make the trip up to the North East and cheer on the Coasters.
Pick up times are as follows:
County Lytham 10:30am
Clifton Arms Warton 10:45am
Stable Bar Kirkham 11:00am
Library Kirkham 11:05am
Lane Ends Wesham 11:10am
To book your place, please contact Ian French on 07809 442377.
