Rushden & Diamonds v Gateshead

Blue Square Premier

Nene Park, Irthlingborough

Saturday March 13^th 2010 15:00

After the two successive away victories that took them into the playoff places, the Diamonds return to Nene Park on Saturday when Gateshead are the visitors. It will be the first visit of the Tynesiders to Irthlingborough for over 12 years.

Gateshead play at home in white and black, so will wear their away strip.

Details of tickets prices are here.

The referee for the game is Andy Madley from West Yorkshire, who has not handled a Diamonds game this season, his first at this level. He did take control of a Diamonds game at York in 2007 after an injury to the match referee towards the end of the first half. Gateshead fans will remember him for being in charge when they hosted Hayes and Yeading in a game that was abandoned earlier this season. His brother Robert is also a referee, and he was in charge when Forest Green visited Nene Park earlier this season.

Our Opponents - Gateshead FC

Gateshead FC were formed in 1977, replacing Gateshead United when the latter disbanded.

After spending time in both the Northern Premier League and Conference, they had their previous stay in the top flight of non-league football for a period from 1990 to 1998. During their last two seasons in the Conference they faced the newly promoted Diamonds who were in the Conference for the first time.

In 2006 they moved into the 11,850 capacity all-seater stadium known as the International Stadium, which is most famous for hosting Athletics events.

After winning the Conference North playoff against Telford United they were promoted back to the Conference level to play in the Blue Square Premier for the 2009-10 season.

For more details of their history, visit here

The Tynesiders are managed by Ian Bogie, and are on the fringes of the relegation places in the Blue Square Premier. Like the Diamonds they did not have a match in midweek, and Barrow's defeat at Stevenage meant they did not drop into the bottom 3 in the division. Since the Diamonds visit to the North-East in September they have added ex-Diamonds forward Daryl Clare and ex-Kidderminster Harriers midfielder Andy Ferrell to their squad.

Previous Meetings With Gateshead

Prior to this season, the two teams have only met in two previous seasons - between 1996 and 1998.

The first fixture between the sides was at Nene Park in 1996, when the Diamonds were soundly beaten by four goals to nil in their first season at Conference level. The tean that day was Martin Davies, Tim Wooding, Nick Ashby, Neil Smith, Jim Rodwell, Richard Bailey, David Morrison, Garry Butterworth, Carl Alford, Darren Collins, Kenny Cramman. Subs were Ian King, Kevin Wilkin and Brendan Hackett.

The following season in Northamptonshire saw the Diamonds record their only victory to date over the Tynesiders, with goals from Michael Mison, Jamie Ndah and Darren Collins. The team for that game was Steve Cherry, John Hamsher, Kenny Cramman, Michael Mison, Jim Rodwell, Andy Peaks, Gary Crosby, Garry Butterworth, Jamie Ndah, Darren Collins, Brendan Hackett. Paul Underwood was a substitute that day.

Earlier this season the Diamonds travelled to the North East and came home with a point from a goalless draw at the International Stadium. The team that evening was Nathan Abbey, Curtis Osano, Kurt Robinson, Max Porter, Jamie Stuart (Capt), Simon Downer, Matt Pattison, Mark Byrne, Craig Farrell, Cliff Akurang (Sam Smith 83), Lee Tomlin.

Links

Official Site

Wikipedia Page