The Enterprise National League season gets underway with Gateshead welcoming Southend United to the Gateshead International Stadium. This opening fixture presents both sides with a golden opportunity to lay down a marker for the long campaign ahead, making it a potentially pivotal clash.
As the curtain-raiser, neither team has any recent form to speak of, adding an element of the unknown to proceedings.
Delving into their head-to-head record, Gateshead boast a clear advantage. Across the past three seasons, the two clubs have locked horns six times, with Gateshead emerging victorious on three occasions, drawing twice, and succumbing to defeat just once. The Heed have found the net eight times in those encounters, while Southend United have managed four. Last season saw contrasting fortunes play out: Gateshead secured a convincing 3-1 victory at Roots Hall, with Jacob Butterfield, Luke Hannant, and Ben Radcliffe all finding the back of the net, while Gus Scott-Morriss provided the consolation goal for the Shrimpers. The return fixture at the Gateshead International Stadium ultimately ended in a stalemate, a goalless draw.
With this being the inaugural match of the season, league standings are, of course, unavailable.
A win for either team would provide a significant shot in the arm, setting a positive tone for the early weeks of the season. A draw would represent a more measured start, leaving both squads eager to sharpen their performance in subsequent games. Conversely, a defeat could place immediate pressure on the losing side to bounce back quickly and showcase their capabilities in the matches to come.