Rochdale vs Gateshead on 12 Dec 23 - Match Centre

Rochdale AFC vs Gateshead | Tuseday 12th December 2023, Isuzu FA Trophy Third Round, Crown Oil Arena, 7.45pm Kick-Off

Dale's first ever FA Trophy game takes place this Tuesday, as we welcome Gateshead to the Crown Oil Arena for our rearranged third round tie.

Prepare for the game by reading all of the pre-match build-up below.

PITCH UPDATE

As of Monday lunchtime, the pitch is in a playable condition.

We will assess the surface mid-afternoon on Tuesday, ahead of Gateshead’s departure to Rochdale.

With only light rain forecast today and tomorrow, we are expecting that the game will go ahead as planned.

Full details HERE.

MATCHDAY GUIDE

Admission prices for the game have been reduced to £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

Check out all of the information you need to make the most of your visit HERE.

INTERVIEWS

Tyrese Sinclair spoke to the Club's website ahead of the fixture.

Click HERE to watch his interview in full via our official YouTube channel.

COMPETITION RULES

If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the tie will go straight to a penalty shootout to decide the winner.

For the full document of competition rules, click HERE.

FOURTH ROUND DRAW

The draw for the fourth round of the Isuzu FA Trophy will take place on Monday.

Dale / Gateshead are ball number 13. Click HERE for full details.

THE OPPOSITION

Gateshead were beaten in the final of last season's FA Trophy, losing 1-0 to FC Halifax Town, who then had Harvey Gilmour amongst their ranks.

They are unbeaten in their last four games, picking up ten points in that time, and sit fifth in the National League table.

In the league match between the sides earlier this season at the Crown Oil Arena, goals from Jesurun Uchegbulam and Ian Henderson put Dale 2-0 up at the break, before second-half goals from Ed Francis and Kenton Richardson levelled matters.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the 51st meeting between the two clubs.

There have been 16 wins for Dale, 26 for Gateshead, and eight draws.

FLASHBACK

Relive this wondergoal from Uchegbulam in the match between the sides earlier this season.

Some strike this! 🥵

Jesurun Uchegbulam has won the @howarthtimber October Goal of the Month award, with 72.6% of your votes 👏

Well done, Jes! 👏#RAFC pic.twitter.com/7YuHgC6vpj
— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) November 6, 2023

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Steven Copeland will be the referee for Tuesday’s game. He took charge of our win at Oxford City in August.

Jonathan Wyatt and Mark Bates are the assistant referees, with Paul Roots as the fourth official.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

Supporters in the UK can watch the game from home. The stream isn't available to overseas supporters, due to competition rules, but you can listen to live commentary of the tie via Dale Player. Click HERE for full details.

There will also be live updates via the club’s official X account.

Match Previews

Dale were knocked out of the Isuzu FA Trophy after a 5-1 defeat against Gateshead.

Brad Kelly made his professional debut for Dale, in one of four changes from our last outing at Bromley. Max Taylor, Tyrese Sinclair and Kwaku Oduroh also came in.

Jesurun Uchegbulam saw a couple of dangerous crosses turned behind for Dale corners, whilst Kelly was forced into action twice, denying two efforts from Tom Allan with his feet.

Ian Henderson, captain for the night, was inches away from opening the scoring when he headed a cross off the bar.

Adam Clayton was denied by a fine save from Harrison Bond, when his first-time strike from 25-yards was tipped over the bar, minutes before the visitors were awarded a penalty.

However, they wasted it, when Connor McBride fired his spot kick well over the bar.

McBride did make amends in added time of the first period though, when he finished off a fine Gateshead move to open the scoring.

Two goals in three second-half minutes took the game away from Dale, through Billy Chadwick and Callum Whelan.

Michael Afuye came for Dale and saw a near post shot saved, before Sinclair pulled one back from the penalty spot for Jimmy McNulty’s men.

He handed debuts for scholars Luke Mann and Isaac Burgess, who both equipped themselves well, but two stoppage time goals from Heed substitute Marcus Dinanga turned it into a scoreline that was harsh on Dale.

Dale XI | B Kelly, Oduroh, Taylor, Nevett, Keohane, Clayton (71’ Mann), Gilmour, Sinclair (77’ Burgess), Uchegbulam (62’ Afuye), East, Henderson.

Unused subs | Moulden, John, Ebanks-Landell, Edwards.

Rochdale AFC

Preview | Gateshead (H), FA Trophy R3

Report | Dale 1-5 Gateshead, FA Trophy R3