Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead were dealt their first National League Cup defeat on Tyneside by Leeds United U21.

An early goal from Rhys Chadwick was cancelled out by Kain Adom’s 20-yard strike just before the break, only for Connor Douglas to hand The Whites three points with a second four minutes into the final 45.

Carl Magnay made a host of changes in The Heed’s first competitive fixture in 11 days, handing loanees Ryan Carr and Josh Home starts at NE10 amongst others.

It was Leeds who started brightest though, taking the lead with two minutes on the clock when Connor Ferguson burst down the left flank and laid a low cross for Chadwick to prod past Harry Moss from point-blank range.

Carr was first to test Leeds goalkeeper Rory Mahady with a volley from inside the penalty area, while at the other end Moss was alert to divert Joe Snowdon’s goal-bound effort past his far post.

Adom would be the one to put Gateshead on the scoresheet five minutes before half time, sending a powerful effort past Mahady and into the far corner from the edge of the box to level affairs at the interval.

The scoreline would swing in Leeds’ favour once more four minutes into the second 45 though, with Josh McDonald sliding Douglas through to fire high past Moss and grab the visitors’ second.

Both sides saw opportunities across the latter half, with Moss’ diving save preventing Louie Dudley adding a third for Leeds before Jovan Malcolm struck the far post with a 25-yard free kick for Gateshead.

Leeds came close to netting a third again as the half wore on when Douglas cut in and fired over the crossbar, before Ferguson sent a low strike past Moss’ far post late on.

The evening’s scoreline remained unchanged however, seeing Gateshead suffer their first National League Cup defeat at Gateshead International Stadium while Leeds moved top of Group C.

Gateshead: Moss, Radcliffe (Tinkler, 73’), Jones, Belehouan, Constantin (Newton, 66’), Adom, Carr, Home, Worman (Whelan, 74’), Malcolm (Butterfield, 73’), Beck (Oseni, 66’).

Substitutes: Basey, Booty.

Goals: Adom (40’)

Yellow Cards: Belehouan (4’), Jones (23’), Home (45+5’)

Leeds United U21: Mahady, Chadwick, Chambers, Cresswell, Debayo, Douglas (Vincent, 77’), Dudley, Ferguson, Lopata-White, McFadden (Toulson, 14’), Snowdon (McDonald, 46’).

Substitutes: Bird, Chilokoa-Mullen, Grainger, Lane.

Goals: Chadwick (2’), Douglas (49’)

Attendance: 272 (44 away)