Let’s not get a-heed of ourselves – Elliot
ROB Elliot has warned Gateshead not to get ahead of themselves as they look to boost their National League play-off push with a home win against Hartlepool United tonight.
The Heed bounced back from last weekend’s disappointing defeat at struggling Ebbsfleet United by securing all three points from their visit to fellow top-seven contenders Altrincham on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Marcus Dinanga, Kieron Evans and Kain Adom were enough to secure a 3-2 win over the Robins and ensure the Heed moved back into the play-off spots ahead of tonight’s home clash with Pools.
By contrast, Kevin Phillips’ side will arrive at the International Stadium with their play-off hopes all but over after a run of four games without a win.
With a home clash against Rochdale and a trip to AFC Fylde on the agenda over the bank holiday weekend, Elliot has insisted his players can’t think of anything beyond tonight’s meeting with Pools.
He said: “All you can do is win the first game. You can’t think too far ahead and you can’t get too high or too low. Just because we won today doesn’t mean we are going to get in the play-offs, doesn’t mean we’ve cracked it.
“It just means it’s a very good win against a very good side and we go again Tuesday.
“Hartlepool have been excellent since Kevin has gone in and we know it’s a bit of a derby too – it’s
Mariners’ boss Elliott Dickman has heaped praise on striker Paul Blackett going to be a tough game. They’re big, they’re strong, they’ve got loads of energy, they’ve got really good individuals and a lot of them were playing higher last season. “That’s going to be a really tough game so we just have to focus on Hartlepool, make sure we are ready and take it from there.”
Elliot will hand a home debut to onloan MK Dons goalkeeper Nathan Harness after he made his first start for the club in the win at Altrincham.
Club captain Greg Olley could also make his first appearance at the International Stadium since November after he made his comeback from a serious knee injury at the weekend.
■ SOUTH Shields will hope to move into the National League North playoffs when they visit Banbury United tonight.
Mariners striker Paul Blackett will head into that game in a rich vein of form after scoring 15 goals in 19 games, including the only goal in Saturday’s impressive win at play-off rivals Chester.
Mariners’ interim manager Elliott Dickman praised the former Spennymoor
Town and Gateshead striker for his attitude and ability after that win and insisted his side can continue creating chances with him in their ranks.
He told the club website: “It’s an unbelievable finish and that’s why he’s the top goalscorer in the division.
“He’s fantastic and we have mentioned so many times, we are so pleased he is with us, we are really pleased he is part of our team – he is a real threat, a top man, a top guy and an excellent player as well.
“As long as we have him in the side, we are confident we can create chances.”
■ SPENNYMOOR Town are also in
TONIGHT’S NORTHERN LEAGUE FIXTURES Division One
Tow Law Town v Heaton Stannington
West Allotment Celtic v Crook Town
Newcastle Benfield v Whitley Bay
Division Two Newcastle Blue Star v Ryton and Crawcrook Albion
FC Hartlepool v Esh Winning Boldon CA v Brandon United (at Ford Hub)
Bedlington Terriers v Billingham Synthonia (at Morpeth Town) the hunt for a top-seven spot after embarking on a stunning run of form over the last nine games.
The Moors will welcome Scunthorpe United at Brewery Field as they look to continue a run of eight wins over those nine fixtures and they could be boosted by the return of striker Glen Taylor after he marked his comeback as a substitute with a goal in Saturday’s win against Gloucester City.
■ THERE is a monumental clash of two North East clubs in the Northern Premier League East as secondplaced Hebburn Town host a Dunston UTS side sat one place and two points behind them in the table.
Dunston travel to Hebburn Sports Ground looking to bounce back from their weekend defeat against Carlton Town, and manager Jon Mcdonald insists the right game has come at the right time for his players.
Mcdonald told The Chronicle: “It’s a huge game and it’s good for the North East.
“Both ourselves and Hebburn are in those play-off places so hopefully there’s a big crowd there and sometimes if you’re on the back of a loss you want a game like this. It’s a game we are really looking forward to.”
■ CONSETT are also in action on Tuesday night as they visit Sheffield knowing a win could take them within five points of the play-offs.
You can’t think too far ahead and you can’t get too high or too low