Hot Shots will be a tough test for Heed
GATESHEAD’S unbeaten home record will be tested tomorrow when third-placed Aldershot Town are the visitors to the International Stadium.
The Shots reached the play-offs last season and, although they have lost key players, are tipped to do so again.
It is a good time to be playing the Hampshire outfit, however, as they are in the middle of an injury crisis.
Despite having a host of players out they managed to end Ebbsfleet’s long unbeaten home run on Tuesday night in Kent.
An injury-time goal gave Gateshead a 3-2 win over managerless Chester on the same night, 13 points from 15 now garnered by the Heed at home this season.
The game, played in torrential rain, also marked the debut of young striker Macaulay Langstaff, who gave a good cameo off the bench.
Langstaff had spent the last month on loan at Blyth Spartans where he received limited game time.
JJ O’Donnell also came in from the cold to play his first football of the season and did well down the left in the first half.
With Scott Barrow back in training but not yet fit, O’Donnell is hoping to be given the nod again as left wing-back to face the Shots.
O’Donnell said: “I have always wanted to play football since my injury and I want to play and win games for this football club.
“I have missed a lot of football and to play week-in, week-out is something I want to do, as is playing for Gateshead.
“It is my home town now and a club I have a lot of feeling for.”
“To be able to contribute in my first game of the season against Chester was a great feeling.”
Former Middlesbrough trainee Langstaff also made the most of his opportunity to impress in a white shirt, coming on for the last 20 minutes.
He said: “I have waited a long time since signing in February to make my competitive debut for Gateshead and I think it went all right.
“I have to keep working hard as I want to continue being in the squad. Hopefully, the gaffer will see I have something to offer.”
The 20-year-old was top scorer at Billingham Synthonia last season, helping the Teessiders to reclaim a place in the Northern League’s top division.
In a tight Vanarama National League Gateshead are 11th – only two points away from the top three.