Aspin making pitch for a Heed road win
GATESHEAD manager Neil Aspin has urged his side to pitch in at FA Cup giantkillers Sutton United today.
Sutton famously reached the fifth round of the FA Cup this season before they bowed out against Premier League giants Arsenal.
Gateshead will follow in the footsteps of the Gunners in facing the same challenge of mastering the home pitch.
It is an artificial playing surface at Gander Green Lane, one the U’s have exploited on their return to the top flight of non-league football.
It is another challenge for a faltering Heed, who face a difficult Easter weekend with leaders Lincoln City on Tyneside on Monday.
Tickets for the all-ticket clash against the Imps are on sale from the International Stadium box office on Saturday and Sunday from 10.00-4.00.
Gateshead’s first task is to get to back to winning ways at Sutton before they face the formidable threat of title favourites Lincoln.
Aspin said: “There is always a chance we could lose at Sutton as they are a good team, have good players and play on a 3G pitch..
“The playing surface is a factor but we have had difficult pitches at Eastleigh and Dover to contend with recently.
“Our pitch at the International Stadium on Saturday was good but we did not perform on it against Maidstone. “The surfaces are what they are, we just have get on with the game and apply ourselves in the right manner. “If we win the two games over Easter it would give us a flicker of hope for the play-offs but we are all in the real world here.
“I am not looking at anything more than an improved performance at Sutton and if we can get that we can take it into the Lincoln game.
“Sutton away and Lincoln at home are two of the hardest fixtures we could have over Easter.”
Gateshead’s hopes of getting back on track have been dealt a blow with 18-goal top scorer Danny Johnson and goalkeeper James Montgomery both out.
Hartlepool United loanee Kieran Green is also injured with a foot problem but JJ O’Donnell will make his long-awaited comeback over the weekend.
The midfielder, struck down by a rare foot disorder, has not played since December 2014.
Former Carlisle goalkeeper Dan Hanford returns to the side for the first time since January.
Sutton away and Lincoln at home are two of the hardest fixtures we could have over Easter Heed boss Neil Aspin