Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead opened their maiden National League Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough U21s at Gateshead International Stadium.

Jovan Malcolm’s first competitive goal for the club on 14 minutes proved decisive, with Tiernan Brooks making key saves in the second half to earn three points.

The Heed made seven changes to the side that won at Southend United last Saturday, with Ben Clark taking interim charge following the departures of Rob Elliot, Louis Storey and Antony Sweeney one day prior.

Malcolm struck with 14 minutes on the clock with what would prove to be the only goal of the night, converting from close range after Tom Allan’s flick on from Charlie Colkett’s corner found its way to the back post unchallenged.

Allan came inches from getting on the scoresheet himself just after the half-hour mark, beating two men on the left flank before cutting in and firing a low strike against the near post and out for a goal kick.

Brooks was called upon to make a number of key saves in the second 45 as Middlesbrough pushed forward in search of an equaliser, with the stopper pulling off two one-on-one saves on the counter attack to keep his clean sheet.

Mark Beck came closest to doubling Gateshead’s lead in the second period when his low header was held by Nathan Fisher, but Malcolm’s strike proved pivotal as The Heed recorded their first win of the post-Rob Elliot era.

Gateshead: Brooks, Constantin, Radcliffe, Jones (Haunstrup, 60’), Allan (Whelan, 69’), Newton (Carr, 46’), Colkett, Home, Worman, Malcolm, Beck.

Substitutes: Basey, Tinkler, Booty, Oseni.

Goals: Malcolm (14’)

Middlesbrough U21: Fisher, Tawiah, Samuels, Traore, Lindo, McCabe, Patterson-Powell, Stott, Matthews, Bakre, Simpson.

Substitutes: Gitau, Lennon, Hamelberg, King, Cartwright, Coulson, Connor.

Attendance: 253 (23 away)