Hartlepool United Reserves 0-2 Gateshead Reserves
Gateshead reserves got their totesport.com League Cup campaign off to a flying start with an excellent win over Hartlepool United on Teeside.
The reserves victory was fully merited with Brian Wake scoring both of the Tynesiders goals after Jon Shaw, on his comeback game, earned and missed a second minute penalty.
Pools, who included the likes of Richie Humphreys, Leon McSweeney and Jon-Andre Fredrikson, had their moments but were thwarted by former Hartlepool number two keeper Mark Cook when they did threaten.
Gateshead could have had more with Wake missing a sitter two minutes into the second half and Shaw hitting the post with his early spot kick.
"We played well in the opening two games against Leeds United and Scunthorpe without getting any reward but this time we got our just deserts," said reserves manager Paul Bryson.
"I was delighted with the way we played, the goals we scored and the performance, both individually and collectively.
"For Jon Shaw to get a half under his belt and James Curtis 65 minutes was another major plus, and the college lads all did very well when they came on."
Summer signing Shaw hasn't kicked a ball but he almost made a sensational start to his Gateshead career with just 102 seconds on the clock.
Pouncing on to Paul Johnson's underhit back pass the front man was tripped by Pools keeper Liam Mooney but then hit the post from the resultant penalty as Mooney went the other way.
Shaw then headed over a Josh Gillies corner and the youngster created another chance after a good move which Shaw was just unable to slide home at the back post.
Former Gateshead loanee Michael Mackay raced on to Fredrikson's diagonal ball to beat the onrushing Cook but the striker was unable to lift his shot over last defender Alex Francis.
A long Francis throw in on 25 minutes then brought the opening goal as the ball fell to the unmarked Wake who found the bottom corner with a left foot shot.
Gateshead were once again playing good attacking football and Shaw got behind the Pools defence without picking out a colleague with his ball into the box.
Uruguayan striker Fabian Yantorno had a good opening for United but his 16 yard drive was tipped over by Cook who then tipped over a stinging Larkin shot from the resultant corner after a weak punch.
Wake should have doubled Gateshead's lead straight after the break from close in but stumbled on the ball allowing a prostrate Mooney to stick up a hand to stop the ball on the line.
Wake, playing on his native Teeside, made up for the miss with a stunning match-clinching goal midway through the second half.
Fed by substitute Rob Briggs the former Carlisle man had plenty to do in a crowded box but good control and a sharp turn was finished off by a great finish into the far corner.
Wake then had a 25 yard shot tipped past the post as Pools ran out of ideas and a watching Ian Bogie liked what he saw from his players.
"It was a great performance from the lads," said Bogie "a number of players showed what they are about and it has given me food for thought for Saturday.
"Seeing Shaw and Curtis, two big players for Gateshead, back in action was also very heartening and they will travel to Cambridge."
The only negative from a sundrenched Billingham was a recurrence of Jonny Allan's knee injury which saw the striker replaced at half-time.
Gateshead Reserves: Cook, Francis, Brown, Ferrell, Curtis (Scott 65), Gilbert, Wake, Baptist, Shaw (Wakefield 45), Allan (Briggs 46), Gillies. Subs (not used): J.Bogie.
