Match Report: Jack McGraghan

Gateshead came from 3-0 down to win 4-3 at Yeovil Town in a remarkable second half turnaround at Huish Park.

The Heed went three behind at half time with goals from Josh Sims, Junior Morias and Harvey Greenslade seemingly handing the hosts control at the break.

Kyle Hurst and Frank Nouble scored within 13 minutes of the restart to hand Gateshead hope, before a Kain Adom bagged two off the bench to seal an astounding comeback victory.

Alun Armstrong opted to alter formation at Huish Park, with Connor Pani and David Ferguson making up a back three, flanked by Hurst and Max Melbourne as wing backs.

Yeovil would take control of what would prove to be a disastrous first half for Gateshead with 17 minutes gone though, as Junior Morias capitalised on a loose ball from George Shelvey to tee up Sims to slot in at the back post.

Gateshead were dealt another blow when Melbourne was forced off through injury 25 minutes in, four minutes before Yeovil netted a second as Morias turned goalscorer to rifle past Shelvey.

The Heed’s first half nightmare was made even more hellish just before the break, as Yeovil robbed back possession in the centre of the pitch before Sims’ shot fell to Greenslade, who converted to make it three-nil at half time.

Armstrong made two changes in response for the second 45 – one forced and one tactical – as Tiernan Brooks and Adom swapped places with Shelvey and Josh Home.

His players responded in kind and sparked a seemingly impossible comeback within three minutes of the restart, as Hurst whipped the ball into the far corner from 20 yards for his first Gateshead goal – and one of four to come on the day.

The Heed’s pressure saw Nouble score his first goal for the club against his former employers with 58 minutes gone, firing a loose ball home at the near post after a chaotic passage inside the penalty area.

Yeovil were denied a fourth at the other end only two minutes later – one which perhaps would have extinguished Gateshead’s comeback hopes – by substitute goalkeeper Brooks when he clawed away Luke McCormick’s 20-yarder.

Hurst and Adom both saw efforts pass by, first via a save from Jed Ward before the latter’s flick headed wide from a David Ferguson set-piece, but an equaliser was inevitable and only moments away, as fate would have it.

Yeovil’s half-attempt at clearing their lines allowed Fenton John to clip back towards Adom in the box, who turned and lobbed the on-rushing Ward to level things up at three each with just over 15 minutes to go.

Both sides saw chances to win it denied by fine saves, with Brooks denying Yeovil’s Ben Wodskou one-on-one before Max Sheaf’s header was blocked six yards out after Adom found the midfielder in the box.

With the two sides seemingly destined for a point however, there was to be one final twist courtesy of Adom, who sent a left-footed strike in at the near post after Nouble’s knock down to seal the most remarkable of comebacks.

Gateshead: Shelvey (Brooks, 46’), Pani, Richardson, Ferguson, Melbourne (Johnson, 25’), Hurst, Home (Adom, 46’), Flint (Sheaf, 85’), Chapman (Fitzhugh, 90+3’), John, Nouble.

Substitutes: Williams, Bone.

Goals: Hurst (48’), Nouble (58’), Adom (73’, 90+8’)

Yellow Cards: Nouble (65’), Johnson (83’), Richardson (90+5’)

Yeovil Town: Ward, Greenslade, McCormick, McGavin (Cousin-Dawson, 65’), Morias (Campbell, 65’), Pendleton, Plant (Wodskou, 55’), Sims (Ferguson, 75’), Wannell, Whittle, Williams.

Substitutes: Cooper, Gould, Jarvis.

Goals: Sims (17’), Morias (29’), Greenslade (41’)

Yellow Cards: Ferguson (83’)

Attendance: 2,799 (45 Gateshead)