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Forest Green Rovers - Away - Saturday 16th January

Date: Tuesday 12th January 2010, by Tynesider

Weather permitting, Gateshead make the long trip (we're even at it now) to Nailsworth on Saturday to face Forest Green Rovers. Nailsworth is a small town in Gloucestershire, with the club originally called Nailsworth & Forest Green before changing their name to Stroud FC and then to Forest Green Rovers in the early 90s.

Forest Green have played at the New Lawn since the beginning of the 2006/07 season, after moving the short distance along the road from their old Lawn Ground. The New Lawn has a capacity of just over 5,000, with it being terraced on two sides (a covered home end terrace, and an uncovered side terrace). The main seated stand runs down one side of the ground holding approximately 2,000 seats (similar in capacity to the main stand at our new ground when built), whilst the away end is a small covered stand holding about 800 to 1,000 seats. At this stage we're unsure if seggregation will be in place. IF we're in the away end then unfortunately that old conference team trick of seating the away end so more can be charged appears to be in operation, with their official website listing ticket prices at £15 seated and £13 standing.

FGR are managed by Sedgefield born David Hockaday in his first managerial job, having taken over from the vastly experienced Jim Harvey. The change appears to have come about after a bust up over rumours that Harvey applied for the then vacant Cambridge job. Hockaday has started to turn around Forest Green's fourtunes after struggling adrift in the relegation zone for a couple of months. FGR now find themselves only 2 points behind the Tynesiders, having won two and drawn one of their last three conference matches.

Boxing day saw a 3-1 home win against Salisbury, with pre-season Heed trialist Tomi Ameobi having said to have netted his first senior goal. Unfortunately for the Geordie striker, it's gone down as an own goal and he's still looking to open his account (let's hope that continues against us). Tomi, the younger brother of Newcastle striker Shola was a player who Ian Bogie repeatedly tried to sign early on this season without any success after the player looked for a full-time deal elsewhere. Forest Green also possess the skillful experienced striker Isaiah Rankin who can be seen netting an impressive goal below:

FGR 3 Salisbury 1 - More FGR Videos...

Forest Green were due to play at Notts County in the FA Cup tonight, but with that match having fallen victim to the weather it's now been rearranged for the following Tuesday. With this in mind their players will arrive at Saturdays game either up to fight for a place in the Notts County line up, or hopefully take a tentative approach trying to stay clear of injury. One thing's for sure it's a massive game for us and with Daryl Clare now back in as a permanent signing, let's hope we can kick on from here starting with three points on Saturday.

NOTE: Saturday's game is very much dependent on the weather, with deep snow expected tonight (Tuesday) in the South West. But with a gang of FGR fans expected to clear the pitch on Thursday and better weather predicted for the back end of the week, then there's a good chance we may actually see some football this calendar year. Keep your eyes on the FGR fans forum for further weather updates.