MATCH PREVIEW | OXFORD CITY VS GATESHEAD
City hope to bounce back at home after weekend defeat.
The Hoops will be looking to bounce back from Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic against a Gateshead team in top form.
The Heed make the 250-mile round to Oxfordshire this evening looking to stretch their unbeaten run to seven games.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Oxford City vs Gateshead
Vanarama National League
The RAW Charging Stadium, Marston, Oxford
Tuesday 26th September, 19:45
OVERVIEW
The Tynesiders are playing some impressive football as of now, who currently sit 4th in the Vanarama National League.
You could say they have had almost the dream start - and Mike Williamson’s side are unbeaten in six, and have only come on the wrong side of the scoreline just once in seven games away from home.
The Visitors come into this fixture full of confidence, netting thirteen in their previous four, and will be looking to continue this ruthless run Tuesday evening.
City will dust themselves down, following their hefty defeat to Oldham on Saturday. A game that simply put - was not our day at the office.
On a more positive note, Ross Jenkins’ side have picked up a seven from a possible nine points at the RAW Charging Stadium, so the Gaffer is looking to get themselves back on track when they welcome Gateshead.
TEAM NEWS
It wasn't just the scoreline that put a sour note on Saturday's trip to Oldham.
Zac McEachran had to be substituted after only 23 minutes and is a doubt for this evening's match. Alfie Potter was the man who replaced him on the day but he himself continues to be nursed back to full fitness.
Nya Kirby missed Saturday's match through injury and is a doubt for tonight, as is Josh Ashby.
RECENT FORM
Oxford City - D W D D L
As of late, life in the National League hasn’t been the tragic start everyone was expecting from City.
It's one loss in eight matches for the Hoops, whose unbeaten run of seven games came to an end against an Oldham side that were second-favourites for the title in pre-season; so their poor start belied their quality that everyone thought they had.
City aren’t the easiest of teams to break down when they’re on home turf: unbeaten in three, and only five of their twenty goals they’ve conceded have rippled the back of the net at the RAW Charging Stadium.
Gateshead - D W D W W
No loss in six, Gateshead are starting to ask questions of the 'big dogs' in the National League.
Dangerous on the counter attack leaving opposition defenders vulnerable and keeping their shape extremely well has helped them earn ten points from a possible twelve.
The Tynesiders would be unable to complain with back to back 3-0 victory’s, at the expense of Kidderminster Harriers and Maidenhead United. A third victory in a row for Gateshead would see them unbeaten in five games away from home.
Furthermore, a six-nil thrashing away at Eastleigh sent a message to the division that perhaps the Heed could well keep pace with the play-off pack.
ONE TO WATCH - Stephen Wearne
With Gateshead’s August’s Player Of The Month to his name already, our ‘One To Watch’ is Stephen Wearne.
The winger has six goals to his name, and a hatful of assists, and will look to be a danger for the City backline Tuesday evening.
The 22 Year-Old began life in the footballing scene at Middlesborough, and signed his first contract with The Boro in 2019.
Wearne was unable to break through to the first team and so he went on spells with a number of clubs (3), before signing for Gateshead in 2023.
It’s fair to say he has made quite the impression to Williamson and his management team, and he will enjoy the mass amounts of game-time he is currently being offered.
Stephen looks a real threat when it comes to finding the back of the net, and he is someone City will need to look out for.
HAVE WE MET BEFORE?
These two sides have never met. Gateshead have had roughly the same journey to the Vanarama National League, just like City have.
The Tynesiders are no stranger to the division though, being in it for a number of years, falling to the National League North in the 18/19 Season, and winning promotion back to the 5th Division in 2022.
This will be the first time in their history that the two teams will meet.
THE MANAGER - Mike Williamson
Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire,Williamson played six first-team games for Torquay United before joining Southampton in November 2001.
In August 2018, he signed a one-year contract with Gateshead. Williamson, like the majority of Gateshead's players and staff, did not have his contract renewed at the end of the season due to financial issues.
He became a player-coach on 14 January 2019. Williamson was appointed as player-manager of Gateshead on 11 June 2019, his first season being in the National League North.
Williamson and Gateshead had quite the turnaround in the 21/22 season, and May 2022 saw the Tynesiders crowned as champions and earning back their privilege to play in the National League.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Forward Adi Yusuf will be a familiar face to the Hoops, who netted 27 from 39 in the 2014/15 season, after signing a One-Year-Deal from Lincoln City.
Yusuf scored his first hattrick for City in the winter, which helped them beat Brackley Town 5-0. Yusuf played for a handful of clubs (9) between his time from City to Gateshead. Adi made the move to the Tynsiders in September 2022, but was unable to break through the first team during his spell.
The other name who is a more recent addition to the visitors is Kyran Lofthouse. The midfielder signed for Gateshead on loan from League One side Barnsley last week. Lofthouse came through Oxford United's academy and made a big impression whilst with the Hoops on loan in the 2019/20 season.
HOW TO FOLLOW
FOLLOW THE ACTION:
Stay tuned to our official Twitter page for all the build-up, regular updates and post-match action.
AUDIO/RADIO COMMENTARY:
Can't make it to the match? BBC Radio Oxford will be providing full commentary of our opening match online and on the Radio!
Click HERE to head to the BBC's non-league commentary page where you'll be able to tune in at around 14:50.
INTERNATIONAL STREAMING:
As this is not a Saturday 3pm kick-off, this game will be streamed live by NLTV!
The National League are delighted to announce a range of National League TV Match Passes available for the 2023/24 season.
When signing up to NLTV remember to select Oxford City as your chosen team!
To find out more about an international streaming pass click HERE
For details on how to sign up and register and purchase a pass click HERE
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