WEST BROMWICH ALBION v GATESHEAD
FA Cup 3rd Round
Saturday 3rd January 2015, 3:00pm
The Hawthorns.

MATCH NOTES

Tony Pulis will take charge of Albion for the first time following his appointment as Baggies' boss on New Year's Day.

Albion's last game on this date came in 2012, the Baggies suffering a 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, Jermaine Defoe scoring the only goal of the game. The club's last win on January 3 came back in 1981 when a Ron Atkinson led Albion beat Grimsby Town 3-0 in a FA Cup 3rd round tie at The Hawthorns.

Gateshead's last game on this date came in 2011, the 'Heed' suffering a 5-1 mauling at Southport.

Albion have lost four of the last six FA Cup ties played at The Hawthorns and have won just two of the last ten.

The Baggies last met non-league opposition in the FA Cup back in November 1993, Keith Burkinshaw's team suffering an embarrassing 2-1 defeat away at Halifax Town. Albion last welcomed a non-league side to The Hawthorns in December 1992 when Wycombe Wanderers were the visitors for a FA Cup 2nd round tie, Bob Taylor scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for the hosts.

Since the Football League was formed in 1888, Albion have met non-league opposition in the FA Cup 26 times, winning 16 of those games.

Albion's last six games: West Ham United (A) 1-1; Stoke City (A) 0-2; Manchester City (H) 1-3; Queens Park Rangers (A) 2-3; Aston Villa (H) 1-0; Hull City (A) 0-0.

Gateshead's last six games: Halifax Town (H) 1-2; Bristol Rovers (A) 2-3; Halesowen Town (H, FAT) 2-0; Southport (H) 1-1; Warrington Town (H, FAC) 2-0; Alfreton Town (A) 2-1.

TEAM NEWS

Albion

New Baggies' boss Tony Pulis has promised to put out a strong team for the visit of the non-league side but a number of players may be rested after an hectic festive period.

Defender Jonas Olsson remains out due to an Achilles problems whilst Victor Anichebe, Craig Gardner and Sebastien Pocognoli may not be risked after suffering from injuries over the last couple of weeks.

Gateshead

Winger Alex Rodman could return after missing Gateshead's last game against FC Halifax Town on Boxing Day because of a chest infection and he could be joined in the squad by forward Carl Finnigan who is fit again following a knee injury.

Goalkeeper Alex Baird is out due to an ankle problem and could be joined on the sidelines by JJ O’Donnell who has suffered a recurrence of a foot injury.

MATCH ODDS

Result

Albion Win: 2/9, Gateshead Win: 14/1, Draw: 9/2.

First Goalscorer

Albion: Berahino 13/5, Ideye 3/1, Anichebe 10/3, Samaras 7/2, Sessegnon 4/1, Gardner 5/1, Blanco 5/1, Roofe 11/2, Dorrans 6/1, Varela 6/1, Brunt 15/2, Morrison 8/1, Dawson 11/1, Mulumbu 11/1, McAuley 12/1, Lescott 14/1, Baird 25/1, Yacob 25/1, Pocognoli 25/1, Wisdom 33/1, Gamboa 33/1, Davidson 33/1.

Gateshead: Shaw 12/1, Rodman 14/1, Wright 14/1, Guy 14/1, Ramshaw 14/1, Rankine 16/1, Pattison 20/1, Oster 28/1, Chandler 33/1, O'Donnell 33/1, Turnbull 33/1, Clark 66/1, Baxter 66/1, Allan 66/1.

No Goalscorer: 16/1.

www.williamhill.com

REFEREE

Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire)

Madley will be taking charge of an Albion game for the first time.

The official has handed out 53 yellow cards and one red in the 19 games he has refereed so far this season.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets will available from cash only kiosks around the stadium up until kick-off priced at £15 adults, £3 junior and £5 seniors/U-21s/students.

WEATHER FORECAST

Light cloud, 4°C.

FIXTURE HISTORY

CONNECTIONS

Amongst the players to have turned out at various levels for both clubs are: Frank Cresswell, Pat Hewson, Gary Leonard, Tony Lowery, Jimmy Ord, Gary Robson, Justin Robson, Billy Thompson, John Trewick, John Watson, Thomas Watson and Kenny Wharton.

ALL-TIME LEAGUE & CUP RECORD VS GATESHEAD