Gateshead Reserves5
Sunderland RCA 4
GATESHEAD scored three goals in a thrilling last five minutes to reach the last four of the Durham Challenge Cup, writes JEFF BOWRON.
A Gateshead side containing only three recognised squad players and goalkeeping coach Chris Porter, the rest rookie teenagers, stormed to victory through late Josh Gillies, Rob Briggs and Jonny Allan strikes.
Richard Logan’s hat-trick looked to have put RCA through until Gateshead’s late salvo turned the tables.
Gateshead took the lead with a sublime 27th-minute goal from former Carlisle and Morton forward Brian Wake, but within five minutes were behind. Pouncing on to Andy Brown’s threaded pass Wake raced clear from half way to cleverly chip Gary Hoggeth from a tight angle. Logan tapped home the equaliser from Harrison Davies’ low cross within two minutes.
Another Logan tap-in after Davies’ deep cross had been headed back across goal then put RCA in front.
Carl Beasley cleared a Josh Gillies cross shot off the line just before the break and Wake blazed over from 12 yards after the restart.
Three goals in three minutes before the hour followed, RCA captain Beasley sliding home at the back post.
Gillies’ piledriver reduced the deficit only for Logan to complete his hat-trick with a powerful 15-yard finish. Gateshead poured forward and should have scored a third, but Jonny Evans was unable to convert a one-on-one from Rob Briggs’ cushioned header.
Chris Porter saved from John Toft at the other end before a plucky Gateshead were given a lifeline nine minutes from time.
Allan’s 22-yard drive was parried by Hoggeth and Briggs knocked home the rebound, but RCA looked like they were holding on to claim a semi-final place.
Gillies then cut inside on the left side of the box to drill a fine shot into the net off the far post.
Allan then grabbed a dramatic stoppage time winner after Gillies’ free-kick had crashed against the bar.
GATESHEAD RESERVES: Porter, Gilbert, McDonald, Evans (Dodds 72), Lay, Scott, Briggs, Brown,Wake, Allan, Gillies. Subs (not used): Cox, Curry.
SUNDERLAND RCA: Hoggeth, Jones, Talbot, Beasley, Oates, Duke (McGuire 88), Walton, Graydon (Coghlan 46), Logan, Smith, Davies. Subs (not used): Fairish, Richards
Referee: Steve Smith (Darlington)
