Heed hoping they are not hit by Curz

THE big games keep coming for in-form Gateshead as they face a top-six clash at Curzon Ashton tonight.

The Nash are the worstsupported club in Vanarama National League North but continue to punch above their weight.

Like Gateshead, they have lost only two league games and just one point separates the two sides.

Curzon’s last two games both ended goalless while Gateshead won all three of their matches last week.

Narrow league victories were recorded against Alfreton and Spennymoor, while the Heed also knocked Altrincham out of the FA Cup in a first-round replay.

The cup win was worth £82,000 and earned a secondround televised tie at home to Charlton Athletic a week on Friday.

Player-manager Mike Williamson has to decide whether to tweak the starting eleven tonight.

The 38-year-old played at Altrincham and Spennymoor and may continue before taking a break at AFC Fylde in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

While top scorer Macaulay Langstaff’s knee injury was untimely, Jack Hunter, Paul Blackett and Luke Williams continue to build up game time.

Wing back Robbie Tinkler is also back in contention and if changes are not made tonight they are likely to be at the weekend.

Williamson said: “It has been good to have Hunter and Williams back in training in recent weeks.

“We need to have them on the pitch to get match fit as they are two big players for us.

“The more minutes they can enjoy will help them discover their match sharpness, which will be good for us.”

Hunter came in for the injured Langstaff at Spennymoor and lasted an hour before being replaced by Williams.

Blackett came on midway through the second half and scored Gateshead’s 80th-minute winner at the Brewery Field.

Curzon Ashton have yet to lose at home in the league, though they did go down 4-0 to Chesterfield in the FA Cup at the Tameside Stadium.