The travelling Rebels enter the weekend’s contest off the back of an unbeaten September, which consisted of three wins and three draws in the Enterprise National League.
Midweek exploits yielded a solid point on the road at Yeovil Town to extend their streak without tasting defeat.
Fortunes haven’t been so kind for tomorrow’s opponents, as they currently sit bottom of fifth tier with only four points recorded from their opening 11 games. Pressure continues to mount following five straight defeats, as they fell to a narrow loss on Tuesday night at home to Altrincham. During that period, they have shipped 16 goals, while only scoring once.
Another three points for Adam Hinshelwood’s side could take them as high as third position, with only six points between third place Southend United and Eastleigh, who occupy 14th before a ball is kicked this weekend.
The Opposition
Gateshead have felt the full of effects of former manager Rob Elliot’s switch to Carlisle United during the off-season and currently prop up the National League and are already seven points from safety.
It comes swiftly after a season where they were required to perform heroics to turn around a dire prospect of relegation, which looked almost a certainty back in January,
No team in the division has scored less than their six goals in 11 matches, with only Tamworth and Solihull Moors (28) conceding more than the 25 goals they have shipped.
In terms of recent success, they reached the National League play-off final at Wembley in 2014 and narrowly missed out on promotion to the Football League. After financial difficulties and relegation in 2019, a fan-led takeover helped stabilise the club, and they returned to the fifth tier by winning the National League North title in 2022. Unfortunately, financial difficulties have begun to rear their ugly head once more.
One of the most memorable recent achievements came in 2024, as they etched their name onto the FA Trophy – claiming their first major trophy in the club’s history in the process.
That success followed the disappointment of being barred from the National League play-offs because of stadium tenure rules, despite qualifying on the pitch.
The Gaffer
Underfire manager Lee Catermole is in the midst of a crucial period in charge of the Heed, with the ex-Sunderland midfielder attempting to arrest a potential costly slide of form.
Since taking over the summer and succeeding old Newcastle shot-stopper Rob Elliot in the hotseat at the Gateshead International Stadium, the 38-year-old has only won once in 11 league matches.
Cattermole agreed terms on a two-year deal, but is now facing plenty of scrutiny with fans imploring him to turn things around.
The UEFA A Licence holder has vast experience in coaching, practicing in craft with spells at Middlesbrough, Bristol Rovers, Burnley and the Northern Irish FA.
However, this is his first managerial job in senior football and the Englishman will be desperate to prevent his record from bringing tarnished early on.
One to Watch
Everyone of a Gateshead persuasion will be hoping Plymouth Argyle loanee Freddie Issaka can ignite a transformation in their season.
The left winger, who turned 20 during the summer, is highly-rated on the South Coast and was Plymouth’s youngest ever player – making his debut aged 15.
Issaka spent the first half of the 2025/26 season on loan with League Two side Bristol Rovers where he featured on nine occasions, before appearing 15 times during a temporary spell with Truro City. In his place of birth, the then teenager netted twice and proved he was more than capable of competing at the National League standard.
League Form Guide
Gateshead FC | W1 D1 L9 GD-19 | Pos: 24th
League Form: LLLLL
MD7: Forest Green Rovers 4-0 Gateshead FC
MD8: Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 Gateshead FC
MD9: Gateshead FC 1-6 Southend United | Scorer: David Eguaibor
MD10: Wealdstone 4-0 Gateshead FC
MD11: Gateshead FC 0-1 Altrincham
Worthing FC | W5 D3 L3 GD: +3 | Pos: 8th
League Form: DWWWD
MD7: Worthing FC 2-2 Barrow AFC | Scorer: Dom Hutchinson x2
MD8: Worthing FC 1-0 Hornchurch FC | Scorer: Ricky Aguiar
MD9: Hartlepool United 1-3 Worthing FC | Scorers: Cory Adjetey-Brew, Ricky Aguiar & Jose Marquez
MD10: Worthing FC 2-1 FC Halifax Town | Scorers: Joe Cook & Jordan Young
MD11: Yeovil Town 1-1 Worthing FC | Scorer: Razzaq Coleman De-Graft
Tickets
Doors open 1.30pm – Away Fans enter the Tyne and Wear Stand via turnstiles one & two on Neilson Road.
Tickets for Children 13 years old and under can be added after checking out with the appropriate Adult Ticket.
Carer tickets can be added after checking out with the initial ticket.
This ticket is non-refundable with the exception of match postponements or cancellations.
Buy your tickets here: Gateshead vs Worthing FC Tickets
Prices
HOW TO FOLLOW
If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official Twitter account.
Or if you prefer, you can watch Behind- the-Scenes access over on our Instagram account.
You can also listen to live commentary through the club’s official commentary service or watch the match live on DAZN
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗