Gateshead secured a 2–1 victory after a dominant first-half performance and an early second-half penalty gave them control of the contest. Kenton Richardson opened the scoring before Mark Beck converted from the spot, and although Angelo Cappello pulled one back for Halifax, the Shaymen could not find an equaliser. The result marked Gateshead’s first win over Halifax in 21 attempts.
The Tynesiders got the game underway and immediately applied pressure, winning an early free kick, though the Shaymen defended it well. Gateshead dominated the opening exchanges, not allowing Town a moment to settle.
The visitors took the lead after eight minutes. A well-placed long ball was driven toward Mark Beck, who flicked it on inside the box, beating Sam Johnson and laying it into the path of captain Kenton Richardson. Richardson calmly slotted home to give Gateshead a 1–0 advantage.
The first 20 minutes belonged entirely to the Tynesiders, whose relentless pressing kept Halifax pinned back. Town began to find their footing in the 26th minute and created their first real opportunity when David Kawa drove forward alone, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Peter Jameson. Shortly after, AJ Warburton broke through the defence and set up Will Harris, though the forward failed to generate enough power to trouble the keeper.
Gateshead made the first substitution of the match in the 30th minute, introducing Aidan Elliot-Wheeler for Tyrelle Benjamin. As half-time approached, the Shaymen searched for an equaliser but struggled to break down a well-organised defence. Three minutes of added time were played before the referee brought the first half to a close, with Halifax trailing 1–0.
Adam Lakeland responded at the interval by introducing Angelo Cappello and Jevon Mills for Thierry Latty-Fairweather and Kieron Morris. However, the second half began in disastrous fashion for Town. Just two minutes after the restart, Mills conceded a penalty following a heavy challenge on Beck. Beck stepped up and confidently converted, sending Johnson the wrong way to double Gateshead’s lead.
Halifax had an immediate chance to respond in the 50th minute when Warburton delivered a cross into the box, but Harris headed wide. Gateshead nearly extended their advantage soon after, though Johnson made a comfortable save to keep the deficit at two.
The Shaymen pulled one back in the 56th minute through an impressive move. A long ball from Johnson found Josh Hmami, who played it forward to Kawa. Kawa exchanged passes with Cappello before the winger finished neatly past Jameson to reduce the score to 2–1.
Spurred on by the goal, Halifax increased the pressure. A particularly notable chance came when Shaun Hobson won possession high up the pitch and surged forward from defence, but his powerful strike was kept out by Jameson. Lakeland made another change in the 67th minute, replacing Kawa with Billy Waters, who made his return debut.
Cappello continued to cause problems for the Gateshead defence, weaving through challenges but lacking the final pass to unlock a clear opportunity. Gateshead made three substitutions in the 70th minute, replacing Richardson, Jacob Butterfield and Billy Chadwick with Ben Radcliffe, Harry Chapman and Levi Amantchi.
The first booking of the match went to Halifax when Adam Adetoro received a yellow card after an exchange with the fourth official. Lakeland made further changes in the 75th minute, bringing on Owen Bray and Jay Turner-Cooke for Hmami and Cody Johnson.
Turner-Cooke came close to levelling the match in the 80th minute, but his effort drifted just over the crossbar. Gateshead received a booking in the 85th minute when Fenton John pulled Bray to the ground.
Halifax pushed relentlessly in the closing stages, determined to find an equaliser. Seven minutes of added time were indicated, but despite sustained pressure, the Shaymen were unable to break through. The referee’s final whistle confirmed a 2–1 victory for Gateshead, marking their first win over Halifax in 21 attempts.
FC Halifax Town
1 Johnson (c) 3 Adetoro, 4 Hugill, 5 Hobson, 8 Hmami (27 Turner-Cooke 76), 9 Harris, 19 Warburton, 22 Kawa, (26 Waters 67) 28 Morris (16 Mills 46), 30 Johnson (17 Bray 76) 36 Latty-Fairweather (11 Cappello 46)
Subs: 12 Ford, 33 Lavery
Gateshead
12 Jameson, 3 Ferguson, 5 Richardson (14 Radcliffe 71), 6 Nicholson, 7 Ward, 8 Bowen (32 Chapman 71), 10 Butterfield (17 Home 81), 11 Newton (4 Elliot-Wheeler 32), 19 Beck, 20 John, 21 Chadwick (15 Amatchi 71)
Subs: 9 Telford, 18 Grayson
Referee: Dale Baines
Goals: Richardson 9, Beck 48 pen, Cappello 56
Yellow Cards: Elliot-Wheeler 56, Adetoro 75, Beck 75, John 85
Red Cards
Attendance 870 (36 away)
FC Halifax Town 1 Gateshead 2
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