A brace from Owen Oseni saw United fall to defeat in their penultimate pre-season clash.
Oseni broke the deadlock on 47 minutes after firing a low left-footed effort into the far corner beyond Gabe Breeze, before doubling his and Gateshead’s tally nine minutes later, tapping home from close range.
Georgie Kelly came close to breaking the deadlock on three minutes after Tiernan Brooks cannoned a clearance off the attacker, but it landed wide to the relief of the Gateshead shot-stopper.
The hosts would then look to assert themselves soon after, creating a flurry of chances with United standing strong to keep the contest level in the opening 10 minutes.
The Blues had a great chance to open the scoring on 11 minutes after a great pass forward from Ben Barclay, which Kelly brought down superbly prior to firing wide of Brooks’ goal.
Two more chances would follow - one for each side. Trialist saw a curled effort from outside the area land wide, before United’s Sam Lavelle nodded over from a corner.
Former Gateshead man Taylor Charters did well to steal the ball back on 27 minutes. The midfielder interlinked with Luke Armstrong, whose effort was blocked for a corner - which was ultimately guided over the crossbar by Kelly.
Oseni had the best opportunity of the game as we approached the half-hour mark. A cross from the right fell to the attacker in the centre of the box - unmarked - but he headed wide to the relief of ‘keeper Gabe Breeze and his teammates.
Forwards Dan Butterworth, Kelly and Armstrong combined to create Carlisle’s next chance which went off target, before Gateshead went up the opposite end and won a penalty. Luke Hannant then blasted the resulting spot kick wide.
The Heed continued their search for the first goal following some neat build-up play, which ended at the feet of Trialist, but Jack Ellis made a tremendous last ditch sliding challenge to avert the danger and see both sides go in level at the break.
HALF-TIME: Gateshead 0-0 United
Owen Oseni opened the scoring two minutes into the second-half. The forward received the ball on the right, before coming inside and firing a low left-footed effort beyond the reach of Breeze into the far corner.
United should’ve been level moments later. Kelly won the ball following a failed clearance by Brooks, prior to firing at goal from a tight angle, despite Armstrong being in plenty of space in the centre of the box.
Gateshead would double their advantage on 56 minutes and it was Oseni again for the hosts. Some neat play ended with the ball being put on a plate for the attacker to tap home from point-blank range.
The Heed continued to grow in confidence and won a penalty two minutes later following a foul by Sam Lavelle. United were let off once more as Hannant’s second penalty of the night struck the post and went out for a goalkick.
Tiernan Brooks made a brilliant low save to keep his side’s two-goal lead intact, parrying away Luke Armstrong’s powerful drive on 64 minutes.
As we entered the final 20 minutes, Aaron Hayden leapt highest to clear the danger and prevent another chance on United’s goal from the home side.
The recently introduced Trialist came extremely close to grabbing Gateshead’s third after a loose pass from Terell Thomas, but his shot was straight at Gabe Breeze.
Young attacker Freddie O’Donoghue won the ball back on 74 minutes, before it found its way to Wyke, whose quickfire attempt crashed against the post.
On 83 minutes, the visitors would find themselves with another effort on Brooks’ goal, but Gateshead’s goalkeeper was able to push away Harrison Neal’s venomous attempt from the edge of the area.
FULL-TIME: Gateshead 2-0 United
Teams:
Gateshead - Brooks, Richardson ©, Storey (69’ Thompson), Grayson, Whelan, Booty, Trialist (69’ Tinkler), Hannant, Butterfield (61’ Pani), McGowan, Oseni (61’ Trialist)
Unused subs - Trialist, John
Carlisle United - Breeze, Harper (46’ Neal), Lavelle (60’ Hayden), Kelly (60’ Wyke), Butterworth (60’ O’Donoghue) , Charters (60’ Davies), Ellis, McGeouch (46’ Vela), Mellish © (46’ Thomas), Barclay, Armstrong
Unused subs - Smith, Allan, Hetherington
Match officials:
Referee - Seb Stocksbridge
Assistant Referee - Jeff Liddle
Assistant Referee - David Holmes
Fourth Official - Nick Vincent
Attendance:
668 (223 away)
