The Lions return to Nethermoor after three weeks away and with a new, returning, man in the hotseat on Good Friday with title challengers Gateshead the visitors in a 3pm kick-off.

Match sponsored by: AF Commercial Ltd

Match ball sponsors: LPS Heating and Plumbing

Segregation will be in place with Gateshead fans allocated the JM Glendinning seated stand and uncovered Railway End of the ground with entry via turnstiles 5-8.

Tickets for home fans can be purchased online in advance here and for away fans here. It is recommended to purchase online in advance to reduce queuing on the day, tickets will also be on sale on the day at the turnstiles with payment by cash only, it is also cash payments only inside the ground for programmes, food and drink and 50/50 cash draw tickets.

Previous Meetings

The Lions travelled to the Gateshead International Stadium back in August and fell to a 2-1 defeat to end the opening month of the season.

Bailey Thompson, who has missed the majority of the campaign through injury, netted to threaten a late comeback against the hosts who failed to finish off a number of chances.

The Lions’ Form Book

The Lions have entered a new era following the arrival of Steve Kittrick for his second spell in charge of the club, it’s been nearly nine years since he last managed a game at Nethermoor Park.

He could not have wished for a better start with a 2-0 victory on the road at Kettering’s Latimer Park ground on Tuesday night, the first on the road in 2022 and first in seven games.

It closed the gap at the bottom to just two points behind Blyth Spartans and three behind Farsley Celtic who meet on Friday in the North East.

Kittrick will be looking for an upturn on home soil too with just one win in the last four fixtures for his side in LS20.

Dom Tear and James Gale both climbed up to four goals each for the campaign so far and Gale will be hoping for his third in as many games.

A Look At Gateshead

Gateshead have challenged up a the top of the table for the whole campaign and took full advantage of a run of games in hand to close the gap to leaders Brackley to just one point.

The Heed have scored the most goals in the division, 26 more than their nearest contender Kidderminster and have the joint best away record in the division with leaders Brackley Town.

They did taste defeat on their last road trip though, two weeks ago at Brackley’s St James Park ground where the top two met ending an unbeaten away run which lasted three months.

Gateshead name former Lions goalkeeper James Montgomery in their ranks, the stopper joined just ahead of the transfer deadline for his third spell with the Heed Army.

Heed have the joint top and second highest goalscorers in their ranks with Cedwyn Scott netting 23 times and Macaulay Langstaff just one strike behind with 22.

Player Manager Mike Williamson lined up in their victory over Chester and could feature at Nethermoor.

A Look At The Lions

The Lions were boosted by the return of Andy Hollins on Tuesday night in Northamptonshire but were dealt a blow when both Kaine Felix and Andy Kellett sat out the win.

Scott McLean, Jamie Spencer, Shaun Tuton and Bailey Thompson also missed the game with their respective injuries.

Josh Stones and Dom Tear returned to the starting 11 and will be looking for more minutes in the packed Easter fixtures.

What Are They Saying?

Speaking after Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Kettering Town Caretaker Manager Steve Kittrick said: “We stuck to our game plan and I was lucky enough on Saturday that I got see Kettering at Farsley so I knew how they played. It is a great result, it is great for the fans and it is great to be back but we have another three or four wins to find but this has put us back in it.”

“I think sometimes you can play too much football in the wrong areas, so we just turned it in and played in their half to get our rewards and that is what we have done. They are good young players but it is just about playing in the right areas, different games will have different systems to play differently.”

“We deserved it tonight and scored two, Lebrun should have made it three too and I told him he took too many touches, so if he hits that first time we get a third goal.”

“Look we have some good players, Andy Hollins and Hamza Bencherif are big strong lads, they won their headers and their challenges and this is all you can ask.”

“Owen Mason is a good young keeper, he did a great job tonight, if he keeps doing what he is doing then he will go far.”

“We enjoy tonight and the long trip home with a smile on our face, we will come with a different game plan on Friday as that is going to be a different challenge.”

John Johnston also spoke following the victory about his delight for his assist for the second goal and the victory: “I heard James Gale screaming at me and I thought if I don’t square this I am in a lot of trouble! To be fair to him he finished it off and it was never in doubt.”

“I don’t think the performances have been too bad as late, a couple of goals here and there would have turned those games around. Steve has just said we have done that for everyone who is in there and Russ, Marcus and Paul, that performance and result has been coming and it has given us hope to stay up and I believe we will.”

“Owen’s save is one of the best I have seen live in a game in non league football and I have been playing for a long time now, fair play to Owen he has kept us in the game. We have created a lot of chances today but credit to Andy as well, he has been out injured for three or four weeks and came back in tonight, he was solid and excellent tonight – a big leader on the pitch. We have got the three points and that is all the matters really.”

“It was a bit of a different plan tonight, Josh Stones was a battering ram up top for us and helped me and Dom Tear run in behind. On another day we could have had four or five and I don’t think they could have argued against that.”

“I am not bothered about goals, they will come as long as I am getting assists like that tonight, the goals will come.”

Tickets for the game with Gateshead can be purchased at the turnstiles on the day with cash payment only or online in advance for home fans here and away fans here. Don’t forget to pick up a matchday programme for just £3, it is packed full with exclusive content with what you will find inside here.

Photo courtesy of Peter Short – Kettering Town.