Football – England – Blue Square Premier
Tuesday 4th December 2012 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Eighth placed Gateshead take on second placed Grimsby Town at the Gateshead International Stadium on Tuesday night as the hosts look to extend their unbeaten home run to six matches.
In fact, Gateshead have lost just once at home in their last sixteen home matches in the Blue Square Premier which was in mid September to Tamworth 0-2. This season Gateshead’s home record stands at 4-5-1 15/9 and only Grimsby Town and Mansfield Town (8 goals) have conceded fewer goals than them. Recent draws against AFC Telford, Macclesfield Town and Cambridge United have been bettered by recent wins against Woking and Alfreton Town.
Gateshead’s recent unbeaten home run of form certainly gives them a chance tonight against visitors Grimsby and they also have a few key attacking players that could nick the points for them here; Josh Gillies (5 goals, 8 assists), Liam Hatch (4 goals, 1 assist), Yemi Obudabe (3 goals, 3 assists), Nathan Fisher and Ryan Donaldson (3 goals apiece) along with Philip Turnbull (1 goal, 4 assists).
Visitors Grimsby Town dropped two points on Saturday when they drew 1-1 at Ebbsfleet United and as a result, surrendered their lead at the top of the BSP. The Mariners have lost just once in their last five matches which was away at Hyde but they too have lost just once away from home all season with an away record of 4-6-1 13/8.
Grimsby have recorded wins over Alfreton Town, AFC Telford and Tamworth recently but there may be an opportunity for Gateshead here tonight as The Mariners have slipped up at Hyde and Ebbsfleet United in their last two away matches and could be vulnerable on Tuesday.
Ross Hannah (8 goals, 1 assist) leads the way for Grimsby, along with Nathan Pond (4 goals, 3 assists), Craig Disley (3 goals, 1 assist) and Joe Colbeck (2 goals,5 assists) providing the support, but they could be wobbling at this crucial stage before Christmas and I’ll take my chances.
Gateshead have lost just once at home all season and I’ll back them not to lose again when Grimsby come to town with a view that the hosts might just nick this one 1-0.
Pick: Gateshead AH0 (Draw No Bet) @ 2.03 Pinnacle
