Histon v Gateshead - Match Preview

04/03/2010, by Jeff Bowron

Gateshead head for Cambridgeshire on Saturday looking to avenge an opening day 0-3 defeat against Histon at the International Stadium.

Only three players who started against the Stutes back in August are likely to be in a Gateshead side stripped of the services of key men Kris Gate and James Curtis.

Gate is ruled out again with a thigh strain while defensive kingpin Curtis starts a two match ban after accumulating ten yellow cards.

Veteran Chris Swailes will deputise to make his first start in 2010 and it remains to be seen whether there are any unforced changes to the side that lost 1-0 at Tamworth in midweek.

Histon suffered a similar feat on Wednesday when a first half Lee Tomlin penalty saw them lose to promotion hopefuls Rushden & Diamonds who played most of the second half with ten men.

It was a third consecutive defeat for the Stutes without scoring and the Glassworld Stadium outfit have picked up just five points from their last eight games.

"Histon are a physical outfit who are not on the greatest of runs," said Bogie "they have lost their long-serving manager Steve Fallon and a number of players.

"They will be tough opponents but I believe we can go there and get a result. We've tightened up defensively but need to be more creative.

"It is all about getting the right balance and getting some consistency instead of winning one game and then losing the next.

"Being without Curtis and Gate is obviously disappointing as they have been two of our top performers this season.

"But we have a large squad with cover in all departments and are not a one, or two, man band.

"It was an eye opener on the opening day, though I believe the final score flattered Histon, and we'll have very few survivors from that side starting on Saturday.

"We have to keep believing. Football is unpredictable but we have to hit the ground running and get some points on the board.

"We don't want a scenario where we need to win two of our last four games to stay up, and the remaining games are all cup finals."

Alan Lewer, who replaced Histon legend Fallon in the hot seat in January, was encouraged by his side's display at home to Rushden & Diamonds.

"It was far better than on Saturday when we lost at.Kidderminster" said Lewer "and if we play like that we'll pick up more points than we'll lose.

"We had 70% of the possession in the second half, which you'd expect against ten men, but had no end product."

The latest Histon player to look for pastures new is regular goalkeeper Danny Naisbett and fellow North East-born shot-stopper David Knight made his debut against Rushden.

New signing Knight, 23, began his career at Middlesbrough and made a handful of appearances on loan at Darlington and Oldham Athletic.

Defender Adam Bygrave is available after suspension and 21 year old Gillingham striker Andy Pugh has joined the club on loan.

. Gateshead meanwhile have allowed young wide man Steve Baptist to finish the season at top four Northern League club Ashington.