The Mazuma Mobile Stadium was the scene of a National League thriller as Gateshead triumphed over Morecambe with a resounding 2-5 victory. Referee Dale Baines oversaw a match characterised by an early goal blitz and tactical adjustments, which ultimately saw the Heed secure a comprehensive win, leaving the Shrimps struggling.
The match exploded into life within the first few minutes. Harry Chapman, assisted by Jacob Butterfield, opened the scoring for Gateshead in the 2nd minute. Before the home side could regroup, Kain Adom, assisted by Curtis Edwards, doubled the advantage in the 4th minute. The onslaught continued as Connor Pani, again assisted by Butterfield, added a third in the 10th minute. Remarkably, Harry Chapman then bagged his second goal in the 12th minute, this time assisted by Joe Grayson, extending the lead to 0-4 and leaving Morecambe reeling.
Morecambe manager Ashvir Johal responded with an early tactical switch, replacing Raheem Conte with George Thomas in the 24th minute, hoping to stem the flow of goals. The change paid dividends in the 33rd minute when George Thomas pulled a goal back for Morecambe.
At the interval, Johal made a further substitution, introducing Ben Tollitt in place of Harrison Panayiotou, while Alun Armstrong countered by replacing Jacob Butterfield with Josh Home.
The second half produced fewer goals, although the game remained open. Alie Sesay received a yellow card for Morecambe in the 60th minute. Gateshead made their first substitution in the 55th minute, bringing on Ben Williams for Kenton Richardson. In the 62nd minute, Harry Chapman was replaced by Kyle Hurst. Morecambe then substituted Ludwig Francillette for Alie Sesay in the 69th minute.
Gateshead increased their lead in the 72nd minute when Connor Pani scored his second goal, assisted by David Ferguson, making the score 1-5. Gateshead then made a double substitution in the 75th minute, with Lucas Lowery replacing Kain Adom and Will Flint replacing Joe Grayson. Late in the game, Frank Nouble received a yellow card for Gateshead in the 80th minute. Morecambe made a late change, bringing on Gwion Edwards for Rolando Aarons in the 82nd minute.
In the 94th minute, deep into stoppage time, Lewis Payne, assisted by Jack Nolan, scored a late consolation goal for Morecambe, but it proved to be too little, too late. The match concluded with a final score of Morecambe 2, Gateshead 5.
This result sees Gateshead climb to 13th place in the National League standings with 17 points from 13 games, while Morecambe remain at the foot of the table in 24th place, with 7 points from 10 games. Morecambe’s losing streak extends to two games, and they had failed to score in their previous match. Gateshead, conversely, are now on a one-game winning streak and scored in their last match.