Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead scored four for the second consecutive Vanarama National League game to win at Ebbsfleet United in the final away fixture of 2024.

Callum Whelan and Luke Hannant struck to put The Heed two up at the break, before a quickfire double from Owen Oseni made it four during the second 45, with Tyler Cordner’s late consolation reducing Gateshead’s lead to three.

Carl Magnay named an unchanged starting 11 on the back of The Heed’s 4-0 win over Woking last time out in the National League, as his side searched for back-to-back league wins at the Kuflink Stadium.

Both goalkeepers were called into action inside the first 10 minutes to keep the game goalless, with Owen Mason up first to block Dominic Poleon’s effort at his near post before Mark Cousins parried Joe Grayson’s long-distance strike wide.

Whelan broke the deadlock 20 minutes in, picking up a clearance on the edge of the box to send a left-footed shot into the far corner for his sixth league goal of the season.

The midfielder was denied a second by the woodwork eight minutes later, sending a curling shot against the outside of the post and wide from 25 yards, before Oseni was thwarted by Cousins a few minutes later.

Gateshead were given the chance to make it two from the penalty spot when Oseni was felled just inside the box, with Hannant stepping up to slot into the bottom-right corner for his sixth goal of the season from 12 yards.

The second half saw The Heed step up their control of proceedings with Oseni netting twice inside six minutes to make it four-nil, first tapping home Josh Williams’ rebounded effort before breaking through one-on-one and slotting low past Cousins to hit 11 league goals for the campaign.

Ebbsfleet did pull one back with five minutes to go when Cordner found himself free in the box to head past Mason, while at the other end Tyrelle Newton sent two efforts wide in Gateshead’s search for a fifth.

There would be no more goalmouth action before the final whistle however, with three points seeing Gateshead remain fourth and within four points of top spot.

Gateshead: Mason, Radcliffe, Belehouan, Grayson, Hannant (Adom, 82’), Williams, Booty (Colkett, 82’), Whelan, Newton, Worman (Humbles, 72’), Oseni (Malcolm, 66’).

Substitutes: Basey, Jones, Tinkler.

Goals: Whelan (20’), Hannant (40’, pen), Oseni (57’, 63’)

Yellow Cards: Booty (46’), Hannant (55’)

Ebbsfleet United: Cousins, Aoraha (Manktelow, 63’), Cordner, Bingham (Thomas, 71’), Dallison, Davies, Domi (Tanga, 71’), O’Neil (Cosgrave, 56’), Page (Souare, 56’), Poleon, Tanner.

Substitutes: Berry, Anthony.

Goals: Cordner (85′)

Yellow Cards: Souare (74’)

Attendance: 1,275 (44 Gateshead)