Barrow v Gateshead - Match Preview
29/01/2010, by Jeff Bowron
Inspirational captain Kris Gate will spearhead Gateshead's bid to reach the last eight of the FA Trophy in Cumbria on Saturday.
The Tynesider missed the midweek defeat against Kettering Town after he picked up an ankle injury but will be fit to face the Bluebirds.
Wide man Wayne Phillips and striker Steven Richardson however are both struggling with hamstring strains as Gateshead bid to stay on the Wembley trail.
Ian Bogie's side had the better of the recent Blue Square Premier game at 1990 FA Trophy winners Barrow but had to settle for a 3-3 draw after hitting the post three times.
Bogie said: "We played very well at Barrow in the league on Boxing Day and if we can replicate that display and cut out the defensive errors we will get the win we are looking for.
"Until Tuesday's disappointing defeat against Kettering we had played well recently without getting the results our overall play deserved.
"Another win in the FA Trophy could spark our season. A place in the quarter-final is up for grabs and that would leave us just two steps from Wembley.
"While Blue Square Premier survival is the main aim the Trophy is very important to us and we will be going to Barrow in determined mood and looking to progress.
"Barrow had a great run in the FA Cup again this season and had a memorable day at Sunderland in the third round after playing at Middlesbrough last season.
"Hopefully we can become the second North East side to knock them out of a national competition this season."
Both of Gateshead's recent recruits, Brian Wake and James Sinclair, are available to play in the FA Trophy and will be in the squad that heads across country.
Barrow, draw specialists on their own patch, could have a problem up front with top scorer Jason Walker struggling with a hamstring injury and new signing Nick Chadwick ineligible.
Other than that joint-managers Dave Bayliss and Darren Sheridan have a full squad to select from after suffering 4-1 and 4-2 defeats this week at Rushden & Diamonds and Southport.
The latter was a Lancashire Cup tie which went to extra-time before the promotion chasing Sandgrounders came out on top.
Bayliss had earlier taken in Gateshead's game with Kettering at the International Stadium and said:
"Gateshead have some good players but they are not getting the rub of the green at the moment. The pitch didn't do them any favours and the one at Holker Street will probably suit them more."
Following the heavy defeat at Rushden on Saturday, Bayliss said: “It was only the second half that we were disappointed with. But they were poor goals to concede, our decision-making was really poor and that’s where the goals have come from – our poor decision-making on the ball.
"When we did decide to pass it, the passes weren’t reaching their intended targets.Those crazy few second half minutes have cost us. It was a mad second-half and the decision-making was poor,
“We’re not going to get too down over this result, we’ve got a big FA Trophy game against Gateshead on Saturday, so we’ll have a good hard week and try and work on some of the issues that we’ve seen today and eradicate them before the weekend."
