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Following a wonderful return to form last weekend, Hereford FC host higher graded Gateshead in the fifth round of the Isuzu FA Trophy at Edgar Street on Saturday. With many of the bigger clubs in the non-League game going out in the last round, the draw has really opened up as we reach the stage in the competition where there are just 16 clubs left in.
The Heed endured a ropey run of form recently that saw them tumble out of the National League Proper play-off positions, until impressive wins against Barnet and Southend saw them claw their way back up to seventh place. However, on Tuesday they failed to frank that form in drawing 1-1 at home with Eastleigh, arguably an easier assignment than those two wins, and that point was only earned thanks to a 97th minute penalty.
In the last round of the Trophy they scraped through at home on penalties against Weston-super-Mare. That sort of form, with Weston down in 16th place in National League South, some way below a Torquay side who were pretty awful at Edgar Street a few weeks ago, would give the hosts every chance here. However, the Twin Towers are now that one step closer, so the visitors could take this one more seriously.
Given the possible ties the Heed could have got, this could well be the one that would have been their least favoured option given the home side’s home form, cup competition pedigree and boisterous locals.
The last time Gateshead visited, they were on their way to winning the National League North title, and looked very good value for it in a 2-0 win, going on to complete the double at home on the last day of that season. Knockout football is of course a great leveller though and with a noisy and possibly quite big crowd (one that will be at least twice the size of Gateshead’s normal home contingent), and the visitors not in worldbeating form, a mini-upset looks entirely possible.
Unusually, not to say perhaps uniquely, Rob Elliott is both the club’s goalie and interim manager. He took over as boss in October following Mike Williamson’s move to MK Franchise. Defender Louis Storey is his assistant, so Paul Caddis should have the freedom of the entire technical area to prowl about in.
Their player of the month in January was midfielder Luke Hannant. Hannant and Storey seem to typify the approach of the club, which is to maximise the potential of players with fairly modest CVs, and steer clear of expensive flash harrys. That of course is to be applauded, and it should mean they’re not averse to mixing it when facing a team from a lower division.
Central midfielder Regan Booty is available again here following suspension, and prior to that ban he’d been ever-present this season.
Marcus Dinanga is the dangerman up front, with 18 goals this season. His former strike partner Stephen Wearne followed his ex-manager to Milton Keynes in January, which is good news as the frontmen had formed a potent partnership.
Talking of potency up front, Jason Cowley comes into this game off the back of a hat-trick against Blyth, and won’t give the Gateshead defenders a second to settle if he’s in a similar mood, although it would be something of a surprise if those defenders are as charitable as Blyth’s were.
Maz Kouhyar and Lewis Hudson are cup-tied for this game, so Camron McWilliams could come in at right back with Aaron Skinner reverting to the left. Kouhyar’s absence could perhaps free up a space on the bench for mystery man Collins Tanor, who will by now have had a few opportunities to strut his stuff in front of Paul Caddis in training. Fit-again Mark Derricott could also be brought into the squad.
Reassuringly, there’s also the possibility that Paul Downing and long-term absentee Jordan Lyden could be available here, but if they’re kept under wraps instead ready for the game next Saturday with table-topping Tamworth it would be entirely understandable. If Lyden in particular is allowed out from under those wraps, he should at least be banned from going up and down any stairs or walking under ladders.
Another cameo for Andy Williams last Saturday resulted in another goal, and again there doesn’t seem to be much point risking him for anything more than that here, but the same outcome would be nice.
Arguably most importantly, everyone will have everything crossed that Yusifu Ceesay has recovered from his nasty knock against Blyth.
The Bulls’ last two wins at home have delivered a whopping 16 goals, and an eight-goal-a-game average is never to be sniffed at. OK one of those ‘home’ games was actually moved to Pegusus, and perhaps that creative use of statistics would shame even a desperate politician in an election year, but still.
The winners here collect £6,000, which is only a few quid more than was earned from the Torquay game, and seems a bit tight. Maybe Isuzu aren’t selling many…(checks what Isuzu sells)…trucks at the moment.
However, the £6,000 is a sideshow, because a win could also deliver a tie in the next round against Hendon, and if that’s not the stuff of dreams I don’t know what is.
COYW