Gateshead produced a ruthless display of attacking football to crush ten-man Maidenhead United 5-0 at York Road, strengthening their National League promotion push. The match hinged on a pivotal moment in the 17th minute when Maidenhead defender Kevin Lokko was dismissed for violent conduct. This dismissal proved disastrous for the home side, who were swiftly overwhelmed by Gateshead’s relentless pressure.
The visitors capitalised on their numerical advantage just two minutes later. A flowing move culminated in Jacob Butterfield finding the back of the net, with Regan Booty providing the assist. Maidenhead’s woes deepened just before half-time when an own goal from substitute Alan Massey, who had replaced a teammate following Lokko’s red card, doubled Gateshead’s lead, leaving the Magpies facing a daunting task in the second half.
The second half was a mere formality for Gateshead. Just two minutes after the restart, Regan Booty, instrumental in the first goal, added his name to the scoresheet, expertly finishing a move crafted by Luke Hannant. Hannant then turned provider again, setting up Callum Whelan for Gateshead’s fourth in the 59th minute. The rout was completed when Butterfield secured his brace and Gateshead’s fifth, with Hannant again providing the assist, capping a dominant performance from the Tynesiders.
Despite making several substitutions, Maidenhead struggled to contain the rampant Gateshead attack. Their defence was repeatedly breached, and they were unable to create any meaningful chances against a resolute Gateshead backline. The final scoreline accurately reflected Gateshead’s complete control throughout the match.
The victory lifts Gateshead to fourth in the National League table, while Maidenhead United remain precariously positioned near the bottom. This result extends Gateshead’s recent dominance in this fixture, with the Tynesiders now having won three of the four meetings between the two sides, outscoring Maidenhead 9-2 in those matches.