A dominant display throughout brought a deserved victory with four different players on the scoresheet.
First-half goals from Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Mani Dieseruvwe were added to by Devante Rodney and Connor McBride after the break, as Jimmy McNulty’s men made it nine points from three games.
The Head Coach made one change to the team that started the win over Altrincham on Saturday, as Joe Pritchard came in for Tarryn Allarakhia. Anthony Gomez-Mancini and Connor McBride both made a league matchday squad for the first time this season, taking their place on the bench. Assistant Head Coach Jason Taylor, who was issued a red card late on in Saturday’s win, was able to take his place in the technical area after it was rescinded post-match.
Dale created the first chance of the game inside the opening minute, when a move out from the back allowed Pritchard to drive forward down the left. He played a ball in behind for Rodney, who cut inside and saw a low effort held by Gateshead stopper George Shelvey.
That start set the tone for the majority of a first half which Dale dominated. Tobi Adebayo-Rowling sent a low cross flashing across the face of goal before another of his crosses found Harvey Gilmour, who played it into the feet of Rodney, but he could only steer his shot wide.
Dale took a deserved lead in the 14th minute when Pritchard’s corner was nodded back across goal by Dieseruvwe, straight to the unmarked Ebanks-Landell, who rose highest to head home from close range.
Dieseruvwe had an effort of his own held on the half-hour mark after being found by Aidan Barlow, before the tall striker pipped the pocket of a Gateshead defender and found Rodney, but his curling effort was deflected narrowly wide.
The summer signing headed the following corner over the bar, but he scored his first home goal just two minutes before the break.
A ball was played forward towards Rodney, who took a great touch to bring it under control before bursting down the right flank. He spotted the run of Dieseruvwe and found him with an early ball behind the Gateshead defence, with the number nine finishing coolly to double the lead.
He almost scored a second minutes later, but had a stabbed effort from close range smothered by Shelvey, who denied Kyron Gordon five minutes after the break, sticking out a hand to turn his header over the bar.
Barlow fired an effort over, whilst at the other end, Oliver Whatmuff was brave and quick off his line to smother a ball at the feet of Kyle Hurst.
Dale’s dominance continued though, and in the 70th minute, Rodney added a third. Sam Beckwith played a superb through ball down the left for Barlow, who drove into the box and saw a poked effort saved by Shelvey. The rebound eventually fell for Rodney who kept his cool and slotted home the edge of the six-yard box to open his account for the season.
Dieseruvwe had a backheel cleared off the line and substitute Allarakhia hit one over, before another electric Dale move ended with Barlow seeing a stooping header turned behind by Shelvey.
However, there was nothing the goalkeeper could do to keep out McBride’s stunning effort with ten minutes remaining. A Dale corner was cleared out as far as the substitute, who found space and unleashed a rocket from outside the area, which found the far corner.
McBride almost netted a second moments later but was denied by Shelvey after being found by Allarakhia, before the latter was also prevented by the visiting goalkeeper, turning his low shot wide of the upright.
Kain Adom fired well over for the visitors with the last chance of the game, as Dale made it three wins from three to start the National League season.
Dale XI | Whatmuff, Gordon, East, Ebanks-Landell ©, Gilmour, Dieseruvwe (81’ Amantchi), Rodney (71’ McBride), Adebayo-Rowling (81’ Moss), Pritchard (63’ Allarakhia), Barlow, Beckwith (71’ Tutonda).
Unused subs | Gomez-Mancini, Pettit.
Scorers | 14’ Ebanks-Landell, 43’ Dieseruvwe, 70’ Rodney, 80’ McBride.
Gateshead XI | Shelvey, Ferguson (58’ Melbourne), Richardson ©, Adom, Telford (74’ Flint), Nouble (67’ Sheaf), Home, Grayson, John (74’ Fitzhugh), Pani, Chapman (58’ Hurst).
Unused subs | Brooks, Bone.
Attendance | 2,313 (88 away).
