Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead exited the inaugural National League Cup with a 4-2 defeat against Newcastle United U21.

Four first half goals saw the two sides locked at level terms at the break, before two late strikes from Garang Kuol and Darren Palmer sealed three points for the visitors to spell and end to The Heed’s cup campaign.

Carl Magnay elected to make seven changes to the starting 11 following Friday’s National League draw at Yeovil Town, with Owen Mason, Robbie Tinkler, Will McGowan and Ben Worman the four consecutive starters.

Newcastle dealt the first blow of the night with eight minutes on the clock to take the lead at Gateshead International Stadium, as Alfie Harrison capitalised on a turnover of possession to slot past Mason and open the scoring.

The Magpies’ lead was erased six minutes later through a fine solo goal from Jovan Malcolm, who picked up the ball on the halfway line and drove down the left flank, before cutting inside and finding the far corner from an acute angle to level things up.

Newcastle restored their one-goal lead four minutes afterwards however, with Josh Donaldson converting Johnny Emerson’s low cross to net their second of the night.

Gateshead’s second of the night came only nine minutes later through debutant Callum Tripp, who latched onto goalkeeper James Taylor’s spilled catch to pass into an empty net and grab his first Heed goal.

The home side applied more of the pressure in the second half but would be undone from the penalty spot with 15 minutes to go, as Kuol slotted past Mason from 12 yards for Newcastle’s third.

The Magpies took a two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes to all but seal the night’s result, as Kuol turned provider to cross for Palmer to head into the back of the net late on.

Gateshead: Mason, Bramwell, Tinkler (Milmore, 34’), Jones, Tripp (Lynn, 63’), Adom, Colkett (Belehouan, 76’), Pani, McGowan (Lowery, 76’), Worman (Bone, 34’), Malcolm.

Substitutes: Leech, Lish.

Goals: Malcolm (14’), Tripp (23’)

Yellow Cards: McGowan (75’)

Newcastle United U21: Taylor, Shahar, Charlton, Bailey, Heffernan, Thompson, Kuol, Munda (Stanton, 71’), Donaldson (Neave, 63’), Harrison, Emerson (Palmer, 64’).

Substitutes: Powell, Harris, Watts, Finneran.

Goals: Harrison (8’), Donaldson (18’), Kuol (75’, pen), Palmer (82’)

Yellow Cards: Emerson (16’)

Attendance: 470 (155 away)