Match Report: Gateshead vs Morecambe

Gateshead stretched their unbeaten run to three games in a 4-4 thriller against fellow National League strugglers Morecambe at the Gateshead International Stadium. 

A hat-trick from Billy Chadwick and a goal from Keaton Ward for the home side cancelled out Chris Popov’s hat trick and Jack Nolan’s goal for Morecambe. 

The Heed took the lead early on through a Ward half volley, after a cushioned Mark Beck knock down. 

It didn’t take long for The Shrimps to get back into the game though, when on-loan Leicester forward Popov headed home Lewis Payne’s curling cross on the 17th minute. 

The Welshman Popov found himself involved again minutes later, his cross was met by striker Nolan who headed it in. 

Popov got his second of the game just before half time, when Nolan crossed into the path of the of the target-man who tapped it home at the back post. 

Gateshead then got one back in stoppage time at the end of the first half, after a handball was given from a corner, Chadwick dispatched the resulting spot kick, to make it 2-3 going into half time. 

Five minutes into the second half, the home side equalised from the penalty spot, following a late flailing kick from a corner on a Gateshead player – Chadwick dispatched the spot kick. 

However, it didn’t take long for the away team to take the lead again. Popov completed his hat trick on the 53rd minute after the ball was played in behind for him by Miguel Azeez, the striker rounded an onrushing Pete Jameson and fired home from an awkward angle. 

The last of the eight goals soon followed, on the 73rd minute Billy Chadwick completed his hat trick. Chadwick scored with a cross which Jamal Blackman misjudged to make it 4-4.