Aspin disappointed as Vassell plea fails
GATESHEAD will make at least one change for the visit of Boreham Wood tomorrow with central defender Theo Vassell suspended.
The Heed appealed the former Walsall man’s red card at Maidstone last weekend but it was not rescinded by the FA.
Manager Neil Aspin said: “There was absolutely no way it was a deliberate foul in the box, it should not have even been a yellow card.
“The club has been hard done by and we feel disappointed, but we just have to get on with it.
“Theo will be a miss as he has done very well and has been a really good player for us, somebody who is improving all the time.”
With Vassell out there will be an enforced change at the back, Scott Barrow hoping to be involved after missing the last nine games.
The former Newport County leftback came through 70 minutes against a young Leeds United X1 on Tuesday, his first game since injuring his knee against Torquay.
Boreham Wood have won two and drawn two of their six away games, Gateshead losing just once on home turf.
Only one point separates the two sides, the Tynesiders looking for only their second victory in eight outings.
There have been creditable draws at Ebbsfleet, Sutton and Maidstone during that run, 10-man Gateshead earning a 2-2 draw at Maidstone last weekend.
The Heed played for all but 10 minutes a man light and Aspin hopes to take that performance into tomorrow’s game.
He added: “To come back from two down midway through the second half with only 10 men was a great effort. It was a big point for us, one which felt more like a win, and hopefully we can build on that and take it into the Boreham Wood game.
“Boreham Wood have proved they can beat anyone on their day this season and will feel they can climb into the top seven.
“They have just brought in Dan Holman from Cheltenham Town, who is a proven goalscorer at this level, and they have experienced players.
“However, if we play at our best we can secure a result.”
It is the start of a busy week for the Heed, who travel to AFC Fylde on Tuesday before they take on Bromley on Tyneside next weekend.