Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead ended 2024 on a high by recording their third consecutive National League win with a 4-3 victory over Hartlepool United on Boxing Day. 

The Heed took a two-goal lead in the first half thanks to strikes from Tyrelle Newton and Ben Worman, though Joe Grey halved the deficit moments after the latter.

Newton bagged his second on the hour mark to re-assert Gateshead’s two-goal lead, before Owen Oseni scored his 12^th league goal of the season – either side of two Gary Madine goals for the visitors – to see three points stay on Tyneside.

Carl Magnay named an unchanged side for the third consecutive league game as Gateshead looked to solidify their spot in the play-off places, facing a Pools outfit who had lost just once in their previous 11 National League games.

A close-fought opening to Boxing Day’s encounter at Gateshead International Stadium saw Newton draw blood first, making a late run into the box to slot Luke Hannant’s cross past Adam Smith and put his side in front.

Both goalkeepers made saves as the game’s second goal loomed, with Smith holding Jean Belehouan’s curler from 20 yards before Owen Mason stood firm to block Luke Charman’s low strike on the counter.

Gateshead struck next to double their lead when Ben Radcliffe’s lofted ball over the top was raced onto by Worman, who lobbed the on-rushing Smith from the edge of the box to net his first league goal of the season.

Hartlepool replied in under two minutes to reduce the deficit to one goal however, as Grey sent a curling strike in off the crossbar to keep Pools in it at the break.

The Heed controlled things after the restart though, with Callum Whelan firing over the bar and Oseni narrowly missing Hannant’s cross into the six-yard box as they looked to restore their two-goal buffer.

Newton did just that on the hour mark to bag his second of the afternoon, side-footing Worman’s pull-back into the box into the top corner, via a touch from Pools stopper Smith.

Gateshead’s pressure only ramped up from that point onwards and they saw multiple chances to score a fourth pass by, with Hannant narrowly firing over from 20 yards out before Newton crashed a shot against the post on his hat-trick.

The next goal would, against the run of play, fall Hartlepool’s way however through substitute Madine, who converted from a wide free-kick on 84 minutes to set up a nervy finish.

Oseni quelled those fears two minutes later to finally net Gateshead’s fourth though, turning in the box after being teed up by Newton before slotting under Smith for his 12^th league goal of the campaign.

Pools threatened to spark a late comeback when Madine sent a 35-yard volley looping over Mason and into the far corner for their third of the day, but the hosts held firm to take three points for the third game in a row and remain fourth.

Gateshead: Mason, Radcliffe, Belehouan (Jones, 85’), Grayson, Hannant, Williams, Booty (c), Whelan, Worman (Humbles, 79’), Newton, Oseni.

Substitutes: Basey, Tinkler, Adom, Colkett, Malcolm.

Goals: Newton (18’, 60’), Worman (33’), Oseni (86’)

Yellow Cards: Grayson (83’), Whelan (90+3’), Newton (90+4’).

Hartlepool United: Smith, Sheron (Dodds, 73’), Ferguson, Parkes, Waterfall (c), Hunter, Mancini (Madine, 73’), Featherstone, Charman (LuaLua, 66’), Grey, Dieseruvwe.

Substitutes: Young, Sass-Davies, Sloggett, Bondswell.

Goals: Grey (34’), Madine (84’, 90+1’)

Yellow Cards: Sheron (27’), Grey (37’)

Attendance: 2,152 (1,017 away)