Match preview: Gateshead (h)

The Spireites welcome play-off chasing Gateshead to the SMH Group Stadium this evening as they look to get back to winning ways.

Chesterfield narrowly fell to defeat to Championship side Watford at the weekend; the Heed’s form is currently inconsistent.

Here’s everything you need to know…

Match Details

Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Opponents: Gateshead

Kick-off: 7:45pm

Competition: Vanarama National League

Location: SMH Group Stadium

Tickets

Tickets are available for the fixture here: https://tickets.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/en-gb/categories/match

Live Radio Commentary

Our in-house radio station, 1866 Sport, will provide exclusive full match commentary on the game, as well as pre and post-match analysis.

Don’t forget that 1866 Sport is on air 24-hours a day, seven days a week!

You can download the app from the Apple Store here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1866-sport/id1580041321

If you’re an Android user, you can download the app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radio.ma57501030

Alternatively, you can listen online here: https://streaming.radio.co/s47db4a4f3/listen

It is also available via Alexa.

Our dedicated matchday show is sponsored by National Windscreens and will see commentator Phil Tooley joined by a special co-commentator.

Social Media

You can follow the action on our Twitter page (https://twitter.com/ChesterfieldFC), where we will provide regular updates.

Key news and moments will also be posted onto our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Pre/post-match interviews and highlights will be posted to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6hnRkCdElagLJlOqlgukPA) throughout the weekend.

The Opposition

Name: Gateshead Football Club

Nickname: The Heed

Founded: 1977

Stadium: Gateshead International Stadium

Capacity: 11,800

Manager: Rob Elliot

Honours:

National League North Champions | 2021/22

Northern Premier League Premier Division Champions | 1982/83 & 1985/86

Northern Premier League Challenge Shield Winners | 1985/86

On Rob Elliot

Replacing a former Newcastle United defender in Mike Williamson, goalkeeper Rob Elliot, who also spent time at the Premier League side, is in caretaker charge of Gateshead. The shot-stopper started his career at Charlton Athletic and had loan spells at Bishop’s Stortford, Notts County and Accrington Stanley before signing for Newcastle in 2011. After a nine-year spell at St James’ Park, Elliot signed for Watford prior to joining Gateshead as technical director/player in 2022. Spireites manager Paul Cook was a team-mate of Elliot’s during his loan stint at Accrington Stanley.

Speaking on Gateshead’s YouTube channel, Elliot said: “With this situation, it probably takes the pressure off the lads a little bit. They’re top of the league, we’re playing them away and they’re flying.

“A lot of people are probably writing us off because of the change. We’ll always be the underdog and we are fine with that. For us, it’s a great way to start and to pitch ourselves against the best team in the league.”

One to watch

Marcus Dinanga is loving life up in the North East. The former Spireite joined Gateshead last February from fellow National League side Altrincham. Dinanga’s form was enough to earn him the National League Player of the Month award for September.

This season in numbers:

Appearances – 27

Goals – 16

Assist – 0

Yellow Cards – 3

Red Cards – 0

Minutes Played – 1,998

Played for both

Scott Boden joined Chesterfield early on in his career from Sheffield United and played over 100 times in his first spell. Known as a bit of a super-sub, the striker struck 18 times during his spell in North Derbyshire.

After playing in Wales and Scotland, Boden joined Gateshead at the start of 2018/19 season. He only played 32 times for the Heed, scoring 12 times – including a brace against Chesterfield.

His form caught the attention of John Sheridan, who managed him in his first spell with the Blues, and moved back to the SMH Group Stadium in January 2019. Another 33 goals in 62 appearances followed before Boden moved to Boreham Wood in 2021. He recently joined Matlock Town.

View from the dugout

Danny Webb said: “We’ll be playing against a good team. They’ve lost a few lads through injuries and loan recalls, but they are still a good team.

“It’s important that we try and maintain our winning mentality. We’re going out there to win every game