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Hayes and Yeading - Away - Saturday 13th February

Date: Thursday 11th February 2010, by Tynesider

Gateshead travel to Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday, in what could prove to be a difficult match. The reverse fixture earlier in the season was abandoned with less than quarter of the match left, after a horrific accident saw Martin Brittain break his leg.

With Brittain being treated on the field for nearly an hour before the ambulance left, the referee asked both teams their opinions on what should happen. Unsurprisingly the Gateshead players didn't want to continue, having witnessed the distress of their friend and team mate. This opinion was then deemed by a referee (who failed to control anything that afternoon) as the home side failing to fulfil the fixture. Subsequently Gateshead were docked one point.

The saddest part of the whole matter was the aftermath. An instant PR offensive painted Gateshead in a harsh light, with some even ridiculously accusing the club of trying to use the situation to our advantage (anyone who was there wouldn't seriously entertain such a thought). Unfortunately, due to the modern World we live in those who shout the loudest and quickest are believed by most people.

Moving forward, the good news is that Martin Brittain is back in light training, doing running work and is on schedule, if not ahead.

Founded in 2007 with the merger of Hayes FC and Yeading FC, Hayes & Yeading United play their matches in Hayes at Church Road, within Greater London. Surprisingly for a team with such a large catchment area they have a small support, with a hardcore of about 250 to 300 fans even making our attendances look not too bad.

H&Y find themselves in a league position we'd love to be in. Having struggled earlier in the season, they went on a good run of form in the latter part of 2009 pulling away from the dropzone into lower mid-table. Impressive wins were recorded against Wimbledon, Kettering and Cambridge before a post New Year run of bad form. The last two fixtures have seen their form start to return with a 3-3 away draw at Histon followed up by a midweek battering of Grays 4-0 at home.

Hayes dangermen Scott Fitzgerald and Steve Basham (on-loan from Luton) have notched up 14 goals between them, although Basham is struggling with a neck injury and missed the Grays match. H&Y will also have to do without suspended striker Robert Gradwell.

Gateshead go into the match with doubts over Carl Jones (taken off at half-time midweek), Graeme Armstrong (Persistent groin strain), but hopefully Wayne Phillips and Steven Richardson will have recovered from injuries to take their place in the squad. Andy Ferrell, Peter Winn and Paul Heckinbottom will all comeback into contention now we're out of all cup competitions. Bogie will have to make a decision on Heckingbottom v Robinson who's done better in the last two matches. Northern Irish centre-half Wayne Buchanan may also come into the mix even though the proposed Reserve Team friendly he was to take part in today has been cancelled.

Hayes beat Grays at home 4-0 last Wednesday - More H&Y Videos...