The Spitfires are back in Vanarama National League action, as we make our longest trip of the season up to the Gateshead International Stadium to face The Heed on Saturday 31st August, with a kick-off time of 3pm.

Gateshead:

The Heed have had a strong start to the season, and like Eastleigh, remain unbeaten in their first five league games.

In their most recent game, they drew against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park after Tyrelle Newton’s goal was pegged back by Oldham early on in the second-half.

Gateshead have played at home twice so far this season where they won both of those games against Ebbsfleet United and Yeovil Town.

Owen Oseni has had a strong start to life in the North-East, and has scored twice already this season. He will be an offensive threat for the Heed this afternoon.

Eastleigh:

The Spitfires drew with recently relegated side Sutton United at the Silverlake Stadium in our last match.

Eduino Vaz scored early on in the game to give Sutton the lead whose goal was later cancelled out by Paul McCallum who headed home after connecting with a pin point cross from Scott Quigley.

In our four games before that, we had gone without dropping a point, beating Maidenhead United, AFC Fylde, Solihull Moors and Altrincham in the process.

McCallum has picked up from where he left off last season, and has scored three goals in his three appearances for the Spitfires so far this season.

Previous meetings:

The last time these two sides met at the Gateshead International Stadium, Enzio Boldeiwjn put the Spitfires ahead in the 54th minute with a long range strike before his goal was cancelled out eight minutes into injury time by Luke Hannant who fired home from the spot to steal a point.

Last five games:

06/02/24 | Gateshead 1-1 Eastleigh | VNL

09/09/23 | Eastleigh 0-6 Gateshead | VNL

12/04/23 | Eastleigh 2-5 Gateshead | VNL

01/10/22 | Gateshead 1-1 Eastleigh | VNL

13/04/19 | Eastleigh 1-0 Gateshead | VNL

Preview by Matthew Gibbs