MATCH PREVIEW: GATESHEAD (H)

Boreham Wood vs Gateshead
Saturday, 2nd March 2024, 3:00pm
Mangata Pay UK Stadium, Meadow Park, Vanarama National League

PREVIEW

Tomorrow afternoon, The Wood return to action at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park as we kick-off our March against Gateshead. Our last meeting with The Heed came back in August, on the opening day of the season, as we made the long journey to Tyneside. The points were shared as Luke Garrard’s side came back from 2-0 down thanks to an Appiah header, of course, and a Cameron Coxe leveller at the back post in the 94th minute. Gateshead currently find themselves in a play-off place, 5thin the table on 56 points after 16 wins, 8 draws and 10 losses. The Wood, on the other hand, sit 9 places below The Heed in 14th and will be hoping to build on last week’s 4-0 thrashing of AFC Fylde with another 3 points.

FORM GUIDE

Gateshead – L-W-W-W-D

Tomorrow’s opponents from Tyne and Wear are currently sat in top spot in the Vanarama National League form guide after picking up 4 wins in their previous 6. Caretaker manager, Rob Elliot’s side kicked-off their February with a 1-0 win away at Southend United thanks to a goal from top-scorer, Marcus Dinanga. On the Tuesday that followed, The Heed would welcome Eastleigh to the Gateshead International Stadium. The Spitfires would draw first blood 10 minutes into the second half through winger, Enzio Boldewijn and would hold their lead until the dying stages of the game where the home side were awarded a penalty. Midfielder, Luke Hannant stepped up to the spot and converted from 12 yards, salvaging a late but deserved point for Gateshead. The Heed would then travel to the West-Midlands for an FA Trophy clash with National League North side, Hereford. Rob Elliot’s side would come away from Hereford 1-0 winners thanks to another Dinanga goal and advance to the quarter finals of the competition, where they are set to take on yet another National League North side in Peterborough Sports a week tomorrow.

Gateshead would then embark on a 3-game winning run in the league, which started with a trip to North-West London and a 4-2 win over Wealdstone, a day to forget for Wealdstone keeper, Marcus Dewhurst as Mamadou Jobe, Kieron Evans, Marcus Dinanga and Louis Storey all netted goals. This was followed by a 2-0 win away at Kidderminster Harriers, which saw Mamadou Job score again for The Heed, and a 4-0 hammering of, rock-bottom of the Vanarama National League, Oxford City, a game which saw another clinical Dinanga performance as the forward bagged an impressive hat trick. That’s where Gateshead’s winning run would end, however. The Heed would face Woking on Tuesday, but it was The Cardinals who came away with the 3 points. Gateshead led the game 2-1 until the 80th minute, where Kendall would level the score from the spot. 7 minutes later, it would be Woking’s number 7, Ricky Korboa who grabbed a last-gasp winner that sealed a shock win for the Surrey side.

ONES TO WATCH

Marcus Dinanga:

Gateshead talisman, Marcus Dinanga is the 5th highest score in the Vanarama National League this season having found the back of the net an impressive 18 times. Dinanga joined The Heed in February of last year from Altrincham and has previously featured for football league sides such as Burton Albion and Stevenage. The striker is currently in fine form with 4 goals in his last 2, 3 of which coming against Oxford City, and has played a pivotal role for Rob Elliot’s side. In Gateshead’s visit tomorrow afternoon, Dinanga will be eager to make it 3 consecutive games in which he has scored and is sure to test The Wood defence.

PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW