Gateshead Reserves 4-2 Grimsby Town Reserves

Brian Wake scored a second consecutive hat-trick as Gateshead reserves recorded their first totesport.com league win of the campaign.

Gateshead scored twice in a minute inside the opening ten minutes and added another before the break in an excellent first half showing.

Paul Bryson's side took their foot off the gas in the second period and, after Wake completed his third hat-trick of the season, the Mariners hit back with two late goals.

"That was disappointing because they were both soft goals," said Bryson "we played very well in the first half and those late goals gave the final scoreline a false complexion.

"Wake's attitude and commitment has been excellent and to score three hat-tricks at any level is an achievement.

"It could have been more than three at half-time and I was well pleased. There are some bright kids in the Gateshead squad and it was good to get that first league win."

Grimsby, ironically, had dominated the football in the opening five minutes before they were hit by a double whammy.

A good ball in from debutant Wesley Ngo Baheng was headed clear into the path of Wake who finished clinically from the left side of the box.

One immediately became two when Josh Gillies broke from midfield to feed Baheng who smashed the ball into the net with a great strike.

Wake then broke through two challenges to release Gillies but his powerful angled shot hit a covering defender and went out for a corner.

Wake was wide of the near post from 16 yards as the one-way traffic continued, Grimsby having no answer to Gateshead's flowing football.

Good work from Nathan Fisher saw Wake put the Tynesiders three up just before the half hour.

Fisher eased past two players and when his shot was parried by Rob Peet Wake sidestepped Charlie I'Anson to produce a great sidefoot finish into the bottom corner.

Josh Fuller, the Mariners main threat, cut inside to fire into the side netting and then Steven Baptist, impressive in the middle of the park, failed to free Baheng when the former Newcastle reserves striker had a clear run on goal.

Baheng's inside ball to Andy Ferrell saw the former Magpie curl a superb 25 yard shot against the bar with Peet beaten.

Paul Farman had to make a late full length save to prevent Fuller's curling free kick from finding the far bottom corner in a rare Town foray.

Baheng shot well wide at the other end and Farman had to be alert to race off his line and block bravely at the feet of Sam Mulready.

Gateshead were forced to play mainly in their own half for the opening 20 minutes of the second half as they were unable to recreate their dazzling first half display.

Farman saved a Fuller shot by his post but then had a bit of luck when Michael Leary's corner ricocheted off Tom Corner to bounce off the top of the bar.

Gateshead then added a fourth in their first real threat of the second half as Wake took a Fisher lay-off inside the penalty area.

There was still plenty of work to do and Wake went past two defenders only to see his goalbound shot hit the last defender, the striker then stroking home the loose ball.

Right back Luke Gilbert was inches over from 35 yards before a ball broke to Mulready inside the box and the Mariners striker shot past Farman.

Baptist ran at the Town defence to shoot just past the post from 25 yards while Fisher curled an effort from a similar distances inches past the far post.

Gateshead then conceded the softest of second goals in the 89th minute when Fuller swung a high free kick into a crowded box which drifted over Farman and into the far corner untouched.

Farman claimed to have been impeded but Newcastle referee Scott Duncan thought otherwise, Gillies then almost grabbing a 5th for Gateshead in stoppage time.

The win saw Gateshead and Grimsby Town swap places at the foot of the totesport.com East division.

Gateshead Reserves: Farman, Gilbert, Brown, Ferrell (Curry 79), Jones, Scott (Lay 79), Fisher, Baptist, Wake, Baheng (Allan 76), Gillies. Subs (not used): Briggs