Gateshead v Southend: can Tuesday's improvement travel?

Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Tamworth gave Southend more than a welcome result. Once Kieron Dyer put players closer to Promise Omochere and left Kyle McAdam to supply width, possession became much more threatening. Omochere’s case for a start will dominate the discussion before Gateshead, but Saturday also offers a chance to build on what happened around him. There is encouragement in the opposition’s recent defending: getting outside Gateshead and delivering into the box has caused them problems, even when they have sat deep.

What Gateshead’s home record conceals

Southend are third with 17 points from eight games, three behind leaders Boreham Wood. Gateshead sit 23rd on four points and have lost six of their eight, including Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at Kidderminster. Yet all four points have come at home, where they beat Woking 2-0, lost 1-0 to Sutton and drew 1-1 with Solihull Moors. Only two goals conceded in those three matches suggests a harder afternoon than their overall total of 14 might imply.

Their resistance has depended on more than denying opponents chances. In the Solihull draw, Peter Jameson repeatedly kept Gateshead in the game, while the visitors found openings on Gateshead’s right, one cut-back producing a shot over from inside the area. Solihull’s report describes Gateshead changing formation at half-time and having more possession centrally afterwards, but the draw still owed plenty to Jameson’s saves.

At Forest Green last Saturday, Gateshead defended deep from the outset and still lost 4-0. The opener followed a turnover near halfway, with a break down Gateshead’s right leading to a cut-back and lay-off for the finish. Forest Green created their second from Gateshead’s left. Sitting back had not prevented the hosts getting around the outside or finding another attacker inside the box. Those routes give Southend something specific to attack without assuming Gateshead will use the same setup at home.

Who makes the most of those openings?

McAdam has just provided the sort of delivery which could exploit that weakness. His cross brought Omochere’s headed goal against Tamworth, after Dyer responded to the visitors doubling up on the wingers by moving more attackers inside and keeping the width with his full-backs. If Gateshead retreat towards their own penalty area, McAdam can stretch them across it. Omochere would give the defenders a forward to occupy them while Leon Chambers-Parillon, scorer in three consecutive games, attacks the box from midfield. Darren Oldaker supplied Tuesday’s opener, and those arriving runs can force a defender to choose between staying tight to the striker and following the runner towards goal. Southend have a way to make a deep defence move, rather than only passing in front of it.

Dyer has not said whether Omochere will start; after Tamworth, he said the staff were easing him in following a missed pre-season. His 45 minutes made a persuasive case, although they did not test a partnership with Harry Cardwell, whom he replaced. Selecting the pair would leave fewer places for the attacking midfielders who helped change Tuesday’s game, so it is a different choice from giving Omochere his first start as the main striker.

Sam Austin has earned consideration for one of those places after coming on and scoring Southend’s third. Oli Coker could also return to the starting XI after a planned rest, which Dyer said was to freshen him for the weekend. Coker came on against Tamworth; including him from the outset would give Dyer another midfield option as he weighs Austin’s claim and the number of forwards to start.

McAdam needs cover, not a restraint

Jordy Hiwula’s runs behind defenders make the space McAdam leaves worth watching. Hiwula described those runs when he joined Gateshead and had a chance saved at Kidderminster. If selected in midfield, can Oldaker or Coker get across quickly enough when Southend lose possession? Holding McAdam back all afternoon would sacrifice a route which looks promising against this opposition. Southend need to judge when he can go, with someone in position to help if the pass is intercepted. Michael Spellman’s equaliser against Solihull came from a short backpass, so there is also a simpler responsibility to avoid giving Gateshead their opening.

Tuesday showed what Southend could do with a forward properly supported. Saturday offers a chance to use that progress against a defence which has already allowed the sort of chances Southend want to create.

Our predictions

I called a 4-0 Southend win on Monday’s podcast, before either midweek game, as part of a prediction of two wins. Tuesday supplied the first, and my call for Saturday is still 4-0. That looks ambitious alongside Gateshead’s home record.

Charlie went for 3-0. Sensei Phil chose 1-1, with a concern about tired legs and an eye on the prediction league. Gateshead played on Wednesday, a day after Southend, so both teams face a short turnaround. Katie, who was not on Monday’s podcast, goes for 2-0.

Southend’s score is listed first in every prediction.

Contributor	Prediction
Sensei Phil	1-1
Charlie	3-0
Chris B	4-0
Katie	2-0

Match and travel details

Gateshead v Southend United, Enterprise National League. Gateshead International Stadium, Saturday 19 September 2026, 3pm BST. For supporters in New Zealand, kick-off is 2am NZST on Sunday 20 September.

Official away tickets: adults aged 22-64 £22; concessions £17; ages 17-21 £12; ages 14-16 £7. Away supporters use the Tyne and Wear Stand, entering through turnstiles one and two on Neilson Road. Doors open at 1.30pm. Check the ticket page for availability and full terms.

Shrimpers Trust travel departs Roots Hall at 6.30am, costing £44 for members, £49 for non-members and £10 for under-18s travelling with an adult. Online booking is closed; enquire by phone on 07892 905338. Seats are not guaranteed. Blues On Tour is sold out for this trip.