Gateshead v York City - Match Preview

Gateshead take on League Two new boys York City at the International Stadium on Tuesday in the first of three attractive home pre-season friendlies.

The Tynesiders are unbeaten in their opening three warm up games, all away from the International Stadium, with two draws and a win.

Manager Ian Bogie hopes to again select from a full squad and expects his men to rise to the occasion against the Minstermen, along with Newcastle United and Sunderland XIs.

The pitch at the International Stadium has been re-laid and levelled during the close season.

"The pitch at Blyth on Saturday was awful so it will be good to get back on home turf and play a good side like York City," said Bogie.

"They had a great season last time around winning the FA Trophy and then gaining promotion back to the Football League through the Conference Premier play-offs.

"They are a club on a high and manager Gary Mills' sides always play the game the right way so it should be a game that is pleasing on the eye.

"We were excellent at Fleetwood last week but then dropped our standards at Blyth and I am looking for a big improvement on that display.

"I will also be looking to bed in the side over the next three friendlies ahead of the first game against Luton Town on August 11th."

After a trio of wins against lower ranked non-league opposition York went down 0-2 at home to Oldham Athletic at Bootham Crescent in front of a 1,335 crowd on Saturday.

The Minstermen are likely to be without defenders Lanre Oyebanjo and David McGurk at Gateshead while Oli Johnson is doubtful.

New signing Jonathon Smith, who has returned to York after a season at Swindon Town, however, is expected to feature in midfield.

Young striker Dominic Knowles, released by Burnley, could be given more game time while Gateshead-born Liam Henderson is still at York despite interest from Cork City.

Gateshead did the double over the Minstermen in the Conference last season, 3-2 on Tyneside and 2-1 at Bootham Crescent.

Mills meanwhile is looking for greater defensive solidity at the International Stadium after conceding two poor goals against Oldham.

"If you don't defend, you get punished," said Mills. "From our side, we haven't defended well enough on the two goals they have scored. It's as simple as that.

"A free header for the first one and then a straight ball down into our back four and it is in the back of the net because we haven't dealt with it well enough.

"We need to get up the park, to enable the players we have got to do what they are good at. We can't overplay. But that's what these games are here for.

"It's a learning process of when and when not to play.

"Clean sheets win football matches and if you don't keep clean sheets by poor defending then you are not going to win anything.

"It has highlighted to the defenders that they have to do better. I take pride in clean sheets."
Kick-off at the International stadium on Tuesday is 7:30pm.

. Gates this season will open one hour before kick-off but the cafe/bar area at the stadium will be available for any early comers.

Both Gateshead and York City fans will be housed in the Tyne & Wear stand though segregation will be in place, York in the north section of the stand.

All four turnstiles at both ends of the Tyne & Wear stand stand will be in use.

Turnstile 1 for York fans and turnstiles 2, 3 and 4 for Gateshead supporters.