Match Preview | Gateshead (FA Trophy Semi-Final)

The Bees will complete a 540-mile round trip up north this weekend to face Gateshead in the Semi-Final of the FA Trophy.

The Bees head into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with play-off chasers Woking, with Brennan’s side hoping they can visit the new Wembley for the first time ever.

Gateshead come into the game on the back-to-back wins over Dagenham & Redbridge and Aldershot Town. Mike Williamson will be hoping to take The Tynesiders to Wembley for just the second time.

The two sides have met each other 16 times competitively, with The Bees winning the majority with 8 victories next to their name. The remaining 8 results saw the two sides tie 4 times, with the Tynesiders winning the remaining 4.

Nickname: Tynesiders

Founded: 1936

Stadium: Gateshead International Stadium

Manager: Mike Williamson

Top Scorer: Adam Campbell (8)

League Position: 20^th

Form: DWDWW

One to watch: Adam Campbell

Adam Campbell, Gateshead’s top scorer in the 2022/23 campaign, has scored a total of 8 goals so far this season. Campbell averages a goal every 379 minutes.

While the stats are not that impressive on paper, there is no doubt about how important Campbell is to his side.

Campbell is an ever-present in Mike Williamson’s starting 11, with the striker starting 89% of all possible games this season and playing 91% of all possible minutes.

Campbell’s total of 8 goals so far this campaign have contributed towards 17% of all the goals scored by Gateshead.

The striker also offers his side some immense versatility, with the attacker playing as a left winger, right winger, second striker and centre-forward.

In the dugout:  Mike Williamson

Mike Williamson, who also plays as centre-back for Gateshead, is a player-manager for the North-Eastern side.

Williamson, the 39-year-old Stoke born man, began his football career at Torquay United and has since played for the likes of Newcastle United, Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Williamson has made over 300 professional appearances, winning the Championship with Newcastle as well as promotion with both Torquay United and Wycombe Wanderers.

Williamson began his career in management in 2019 when after Gateshead found themselves demoted into National League North. Since being appointed as player-manager, Williamson has got Gateshead back into the National League as well as winning National League North manager of the year in 2021-22.

Since making his professional debut, Williamson has played against the Bees on 7 occasions, winning 4 and drawing 3. The centre-back also has a goal to his name in the fixture, although it is unlikely he will play this weekend as he hasn’t made a professional appearance since mid-February.