It’s a change of competition this weekend for Latics as Gateshead provide the opposition in the FA Trophy Fourth Round.
The tie will take place at Boundary Park after being switched due to floodlight maintenance work in the North East.
David Unsworth’s side will be looking to build on the good work of the past two league games which have seen them claim a battling draw against National League leaders Notts County before an emphatic win at Dorking last weekend.
This is the first meeting between the sides this season, with the league games both due to take place in February.
The opposition
Gateshead progressed to this stage of the competition with a 5-1 win at home to National League North opposition in Gloucester in the previous round.
Despite occupying a position in the lower reaches of the National League table, the Heed’s form has improved recently, claiming a 3-0 victory at York on Boxing Day before successive draws against the same opposition and then away at Barnet last weekend.
This is the Heed’s first season back at the top level of non-league football after promotion as champions of the National League North last season.
Form guide
Mike Williamson’s side come into this game on the back of a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Their four points gained against York now sees them sit 21st in the National League, moving them to within two points of safety.
They also drew their last match at Barnet seven days ago, conceding a late equaliser having led for most of the second half.
The Heed suffered two defeats at the start of December against Notts County and Aldershot, but those results aside, their form has been solid over the last eight weeks.
The Heed’s last six
Barnet 1 - 1 Gateshead
Gateshead 2 - 2 York City
York City 0 - 3 Gateshead
Gateshead 5 - 1 Gloucester
Notts County 2 - 0 Gateshead
Gateshead 0 - 2 Aldershot Town
Watch out for
Danny Elliott has scored four goals in his last three games since arriving on loan from Boreham Wood.
The 27-year-old spent a successful loan last season with National League North play-off finalists Boston, netting 31 times in total.
After starting out in the youth teams at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, he spent time in the USA before returning to English football initially with Port Vale and then enjoying a successful period at Chester.
In the dugout
Mike Williamson is now in his fourth season as Gateshead manager having initially joined the club the year before as a player.
A defender by trade, Williamson made over 160 appearances for neighbouring Newcastle United over six years.
Having made the transition to the dugout, he guided Gateshead to promotion as champions of the National League North last season with a total of 94 points and still occasionally features as a player.
Match officials
The referee is Ed Duckworth, and he’ll be assisted by Alan Hull and Oliver Noonan, with Alexander Beckett occupying the role of fourth official.
Match coverage and information
As this not a league game, the streaming service through National League TV is unavailable.
Live audio commentary is available on Latics Player, guiding you through the match.
For more information, visit the Latics Player page by clicking here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC
As always, we will endeavour to ensure confirmation of the line-up is published as soon as possible on social media.
However, supporters should note that team sheets in the National League are not exchanged until an hour before kick-off. This is 15 minutes later than in the EFL and as a result, the line-up is likely to be published slightly later than in previous seasons.
