AHEAD OF THE GAME: Gateshead (A)

Gateshead vs Woking 

Enterprise National League 

Saturday 18th April 

15:00 Kick-Off

The penultimate game of the season dawns, as the Cards travel to take on Gateshead in their last away day of the campaign. 

Last time out, a goalless draw against Solihull Moors extended Defoe’s unbeaten start to Woking life, a stat to strive to maintain with the remaining two fixtures.

In this, a result similar to the reverse fixture would be admirable, with the Cards netting five against the Heed on September 6th.

However, the last time the Cards travelled to the Gateshead International Stadium, they suffered a 4-0 defeat.

A familiar face, Ashley Boatswain joined Gateshead at the end of February and has since scored twice, his first the winner against Wealdstone on March 17th, with his latest against York on March 24th.

Opposition Watch:

On a good run of form, Gateshead have gone five unbeaten in the league, with four consecutive wins on home turf, including a 3-1 victory over title-chasers York City.

To further this, the last time they were defeated at home was back on February 28th, as they lost out to play-off placed Forest Green.

This is part of a turn in form, which has seen them rise out of relegation. A run of 13 successive league defeats ended on February 17th, with a 2-1 victory over Halifax Town, with 14 games played since, and the Heed losing only on two occasions.

This change in fortune came shortly after the appointment of Rob Elliot as first-team manager, on January 2nd, with former manager Alun Armstrong taking up a Head of Development role at the club.

A massive 31 points from their last 15 games has seen the side that sat bottom, that most would have assumed would be relegated, secure safety. Now, they sit 17th, and they will hope to continue recent momentum as they welcome the Cards on Saturday afternoon.

One to Watch:

Midfielder Harry Chapman has certainly proved his influence from midfield, most recently as he scored the winner against Aldershot last time out.

Since the Heed’s turning point against Halifax in February, he has been a key player in securing spoils, with another three points coming from his double over Truro on February 21st.

Already in double figures this season, he will look to add to his tally come Saturday afternoon.

Preview by: Holly Porter