Altrincham v Gateshead - Match Preview

28/09/2009

Gateshead make one of their shorter trips in the Blue Square Premier on Tuesday when they travel to 13th placed Altrincham.

The Robins have drawn four of their six games at Moss Lane, their solitary success being a 2-1 win against Histon, and they have failed to score in six of their last nine league games.

Altrincham however have been impressive defensively conceding just three goals in the last six games, their last two home games, against Tamworth and Crawley Town, both finishing goalless.

Gateshead also failed to find the net in last week's two home games against Rushden & Diamonds and Oxford United, and will be keen to get back on the goal standard.

"The performances against Rushden and Oxford were good," said manager Ian Bogie "but we need more up front, and need to work the opposition goalkeeper far more.

"The strikers have to get produce more efforts on goal. Steven Richardson was the only threat against Oxford and we have got to be decisive in the final third.

"Defensively we were much better last week. We've now got a clutch of five games against bottom half clubs, and October will be a big month.

"We have to get points on the board sharpish, and while Altrincham have only won once at home they have proved to be a hard team to break down.

"All games in the Blue Square Premier are tough but we will travel to Cheshire looking to get a positive result ahead of the six-pointer at Grays Athletic on Saturday.

New signing Darren Williams will again be in the side, though whether that is in defence or as a defensive midfielder remains to be seen.

Bogie is likely to make at least one change as he looks to end a run of four consecutive away defeats.

Gateshead have not played Altrincham in the league for seven years. Their last visit to Moss Lane resulted in a 4-0 defeat, but hopes are high that Bogie's men will prove much more competitive on Tuesday night.

By Jeff Bowron