Source: Northern_Echo
Gateshead relishing fixture
GATESHEAD play Darlington in a league game for the first time in 50 years and manager Ian Bogie believes his side will relish the occasion.[LNB] Gateshead only stayed up on the final day of last season but have since gone full-time and, like the Quakers, had made an unbeaten start to the campaign until beaten at home in midweek.[LNB] It is not ideal preparation for either side but Gateshead are set to adopt a more adventurous approach at the Northern Echo Arena today.[LNB] Northern League Golden Boot holder and lifelong Darlington fan, Nathan Fisher, will make his first start after four appearances off the bench.[LNB] Wide man Martin Brittain, who has already chipped in with two goals, is recalled, probably at the expense of former Darlington loanee Craig Nelthorpe.[LNB] I am setting up my side to win the game and I believe we can do that, said Bogie Darlington are not finding it easy to score goals and we will endeavour to keep it tight at the back while causing problems at the other end.[LNB] It is good to have another North-East derby and will be even better if we come away with a positive result.[LNB] Gateshead are without four players, including defender James Curtis and striker Jon Shaw, who did not feature in pre-season due to injury.[LNB] Fisher, meanwhile, is delighted his first start for Gateshead since he joined the club in the summer from Chester-le-Street Town will be against his boyhood heroes.[LNB] I have supported Darlington all my life so to be involved on Saturday will be extra special for me and to get on the scoresheet would be a dream come true.[LNB] Gateshead left-back Paul Heckingbottom, meanwhile, returns to one of his former clubs, the 33-year-old having spent three years with the Quakers.[LNB]
