Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead capitalised on a man advantage to score five in a commanding win at Maidenhead United.

Jacob Butterfield struck in each half alongside goals from Regan Booty, Callum Whelan and an Alan Massey own goal to earn The Heed’s first three points in the league since October 26.

Carl Magnay handed Josh Williams his full debut at York Road, while Luke Hannant returned to the side following his one-game absence through suspension, and academy defender Carter Milmore was named on the bench for the first time.

Butterfield first threatened with 13 minutes on the clock, forcing a save from Ethan Ross from the edge of the box before Ben Radcliffe flashed an effort wide of the far post.

The game swung firmly in Gateshead’s favour five minutes later when Maidenhead were reduced to 10 men, with Kevin Lokko dismissed after bringing down Owen Oseni as the striker charged through one-on-one.

The Heed went in front from the resulting free kick, with Butterfield teed up by Whelan and Booty before curling into the top-left corner to beat Ross for the first time.

Williams was denied a goal on his first start by an impressive save from Ross, who acrobatically tipped over his crossbar from close range after the wing-back connected with Luke Hannant’s cross.

Hannant came close to finding the net himself on the stroke of half time when Williams returned the favour, squaring for Hannant to send a shot towards goal which was blocked by a sliding Maidenhead defender on the line.

Gateshead’s second arrived before the break though via a slice of good fortune, as Ben Worman’s cross into the six-yard box was met by Massey and sent past his own goalkeeper to make it two-nil.

Booty added a third seven minutes after the restart to all but secure the result, taking on his man on the edge of the box and curling into the top-left corner for his first goal of the season.

Whelan notched a fourth on the hour mark when he met Hannant’s low cross first time to slot past Ross from inside the penalty area, and six minutes later Butterfield did the same to grab his second and The Heed’s fifth.

Magnay handed Milmore his senior debut in the game’s final moments, while Josh Home came agonisingly close to his first Gateshead goal in stoppage time, as a fine afternoon in Maidenhead ended with three points heading back to the North East

Gateshead: Mason, Radcliffe (Home, 71’), Tinkler, Jones, Hannant (Adom, 76’), Williams (Milmore, 86’), Booty, Whelan (Newton, 62’), Worman, Butterfield, Oseni (Malcolm, 62’).

Substitutes: Basey, Thompson.

Goals: Butterfield (20’, 66’), Massey OG (45+5’), Booty (52’), Whelan (60’).

Yellow Cards: Oseni (47’), Worman (64’), Tinkler (89’). 

Maidenhead United: Ross, Abrahams, Barratt (Massey, 22’), Cochrane, De Havilland, Ferguson, Lokko, McCoulsky (Ajose, 68’), Pettit, Smith (Carvalho, 87’), Welch-Hayes (Clerima, 36’ (Latty-Fairweather, 56’)).

Substitutes: Collins, Dyce.

Red Card: Lokko (17’)

Attendance: 847