Gateshead has had a chequered history from re-forming in 1977 to being expelled from the National League due to financial issues and last season was no exception with Williamson leaving to manage the franchise scum and his replacement Rob Elliot guiding the Heed to the playoffs only to see their hopes scuppered by the local council refusing to provide a bond on the Athletics Stadium. Despite all of these difficulties and the injury to their talisman Greg Olley, they have built up a Heed of steam and sit atop the conference on 14 points. Their dynamic style of play has also proven tricky for Brennan whose record against top 6 teams is erratic as his choices of touchline attire with Gateshead doing the double over us last season.
For Barnet a pretty dreadful performance against Maidenhead was washed away in a magnificent tide of 7up as we took Tamworth to the slaughterhouse. While it seems almost redundant to say that Gateshead will form a sterner test Brennan will be hoping that the 7th match in the season proves lucky for him.
In terms of team lineup I hope that Tavares being pulled at half time was precautionary but if not I am sure that Shelton will prove a more than able deputy. This is a game for experience so I would also go for Ayres Rock over Seven Seasons providing he is fit enough to start.
---------------------------------------Hayes------------------------------------------
-------------------Kizzi--------------Oluwu--------------Kenlock--------------------
-----Hall-Johnson-----------Tavares----------Hartigan---------------Glover------
---------------------------Chapman-------------------Brunt---------------------------
------------------------------------------Stead------------------------------------------
Subs: Happy, Rye, Kanu, Wilkinson, Shelton, Kabamba, Okimo
I am missing this one as trains were not an option and you can only spend 10 hours in a tin can for an away fixture so many times.
Good luck to those travelling. Would be delighted with a point but who knows we may get more.
COYBS
