Walsall will be back in action this weekend as they take on Gateshead in the Second Round of the 2025/26 Emirates FA Cup.MATCH INFORMATION
The match will take place at Gateshead's Gateshead International Stadium on Sunday, 7th December 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 3.30pm.
NEWS & VIEWS
Walsall's spell of cup action continues on Sunday afternoon as they make their way to Tyneside and the Gateshead International Stadium, where they'll take on Enterprise National League strugglers Gateshead.
After already tasting cup success in December - the Saddlers defeated Stevenage in the Vertu Trophy Round of 32 in midweek - Mat Sadler's men will be looking to continue that trend as they take on unfamiliar opposition.
Riding high at the top of the League Two table, the Saddlers have plenty of reasons to be cheerful as they look to secure a potentially money-spinning clash against higher-league opposition in the Third Round.
TEAM NEWS
Mat Sadler is likely to revert back to a team similar to the one that defeated Bromley in the league back in November as he hopes to secure a place in the draw for the Third Round.
On the injury front, Mason Hancock, Harry Williams, and Elicha Ahui remain sidelined through various long-term issues.
THE OPPOSITION
2025/26 has been a somewhat tough season so far. Sitting atop the National League bottom four, the Heed have won five, drawn four, and lost twelve of their twenty-one games, leaving them dwindling near the foot of the table.
It's not all doom and gloom for the Tynesiders, however, as their Emirates FA Cup exploits began at the Fourth Round Qualifying stage where they overcame Aveley by three-goals-to-nil.
They were rewarded with a trip to Plough Lane and a clash with AFC Wimbledon in the First Round (proper) and they more than rose to the occasion as goals from Kain Adom and Fenton John saw them book their p;ace aongsode the Saddlers on Sunday.
FACTFILE: GATESHEAD
League: Enterprise National League
Nickname(s): The Tynesiders, The Heed
Founded: 1977
Ground: Gateshead International Stadium
Manager: Alun Armstrong
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Though there have been no competitive meetings between Walsall and the current incarnation of Gateshead, the Saddlers have faced teams that directly link to the side.
Of the fourteen meetings between Walsall, Gateshead AFC and Gateshead United, the Saddlers have won four and lost seven, leaving four other games ending all-square.
The first meeting, a Division Three clash, took place at Fellows Park on Monday, 31st August 1931 and saw Gateshead AFC win by two-goals-to-one.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between Walsall and the team then known as Gateshead United, took place at Redheugh Park on Monday, 25th April 1960, and saw Gateshead win by three-goals-to-nil.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The Football Association has confirmed that James Oldham, who is based in Derbyshire, will take charge of the match with Declan O'Regan and Matthew Sowerby being named as assistant referees.
Paul Marsden has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
10
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
50
| 2
|
PENALTIES
|
3
|
CATCH THE MATCH
The match has been selected for broadcast by TNT Sports and will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ in the UK.