Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead made it two wins from two at Gateshead International Stadium with a 3-1 victory over newly promoted Yeovil Town.

The Heed took control in the opening 22 minutes via a Jordan Thomas own goal and Brandon Haunstrup’s first for the club, though Aaron Jarvis’ header restored Yeovil’s hope before the break.

An end-to-end second half was settled when Luke Hannant converted from the penalty spot after Mark Beck had been hauled down in the box, taking Gateshead to 10 points having won three of their opening four fixtures.

Rob Elliot handed both Haunstrup and Tom Allan their first starts of the National League season for the second home game of the campaign, which saw the visitors look to gain control early on.

Jarvis sent an effort wide from 25 yards in their only sight of goal before the opener, which arrived 14 minutes in when Butterfield sent a 15-yard effort into the back of the net via a hefty deflection against Thomas.

The opener settled Gateshead into their rhythm and it could have been two five minutes later when Owen Oseni robbed the ball back on the edge of the box, only for goalkeeper Ollie Wright to block his one-on-one effort.

The second arrived only three minutes later in similar fashion however, with Haunstrup winning a 50/50 challenge just inside the box before slamming into the roof of the net for his first Gateshead goal.

Yeovil responded in kind though and could have pulled one back but for a pivotal save from Tiernan Brooks, who stood firm to deny Matt Worthington’s point-blank shot.

The Glovers did get themselves on the scoresheet with half an hour gone to keep their hopes alive however, with Jarvis rising in the box to head past Brooks despite the goalkeeper getting a touch on his effort.

Morgan Williams then thought he had drawn Yeovil level six minutes later, only to see his header crash against both posts and bounce clear, while at the other end Oseni was denied a third by the offside flag after prodding home.

The game continued in frantic fashion after the interval, with Hannant curling just over the crossbar for the hosts while the visitors struck the side netting, but it took until injury time for the all-important third to go Gateshead’s way.

Beck – who had been a thorn in Yeovil’s side since his 69^th minute introduction – was hauled down in the box by Cousin-Dawson for a penalty, allowing Hannant to step up and typically bury from 12 yards to seal three points late on. 

Gateshead: Brooks, Storey, Richardson, Haunstrup (Belehouan, 90+1’), Hannant, Allan (Newton, 72’), Booty, Worman, Whelan (McGowan, 80’), Butterfield (Adom, 72’), Oseni (Beck, 69’).

Substitutes: Moss, Colkett.

Goals: Thomas (OG) (14’), Haunstrup (22’), Hannant (90+1’, pen)

Yellow Cards: Booty (65’), Storey (76’)

Yeovil Town: Wright, Thomas, Williams, Wannell, Pearson, Worthington, Jarvis (Nouble, 46’), McGavin (Morgan, 62’), Sims (Lo-Everton, 62’), Smith (Cousin-Dawson, 73’), Greenslade (Cooper, 62’).

Substitutes: Gould, Araoye.

Goals: Jarvis (30′)

Yellow Cards: Worthington (37’)

Attendance: 1,096 (157 away)