Morecambe move into fourth round of FA Trophy after comfortable win at Gateshead

Morecambe comfortably got past Gateshead to move into the fourth round of the FA Trophy, following a 3-0 victory at the Gateshead International Stadium.

The Shrimps made five changes to the starting line-up from the side that lost to Boston in the National League last time out, including handing a debut to goalkeeper Myles Boney, who was signed on a non-contract basis as cover for the injured Jamal Blackman.

Defender Raheem Conte and midfielder Paul Lewis were also among those recalled to the starting line-up after a prolonged spell out of the team.

Click here for reaction from manager Ashvir Singh Johal:

After Morecambe’s victory at Gateshead, manager Ashvir Singh Johal spoke to me about how important the FA Trophy is to the season, and I also asked him about how he is feeling personally after a turbulent couple of weeks.

Here’s what he had to say.#UTS 🦐 | #GATvMOR |… pic.twitter.com/XWHXOZNrM9

— Dave Salmon (@dpsalmon) December 14, 2025

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute, through Jack Nolan, after he found space on the right, he advanced to the edge of the penalty area and fired low into the bottom corner.

Morecambe doubled their lead four minutes before the interval, after Miguel Azeez found Ben Tollitt on the left. His cross was bought down by George Thomas, who turned and fired low into the corner from 12 yards.

Morecambe wrapped up the win less than 90 seconds after the restart, after Azeez whipped an inswinging corner in from the left which beat everybody and nestled into the back of the net at the far post.

Myles Boney was called into action three times on his debut, firstly to repel a Kain Adom drive from ten yards out, then to tip an effort from distance around the post, before tipping a Kenton Richardson header onto the crossbar following a corner.

A special moment in the 87th minute as Academy second-year Elijah Vilchez made his senior debut for the Shrimps from the bench.

Gateshead FC: Leech, Elliot-Wheeler, Richardson, Melbourne (Bone 78’), Ferguson, John (Edwards 69'), Butterfield (Home 69'), Adom, Newton (Hurst 45'), Telford (Nouble 60), Pennant.

Subs Not Used: Bakare, Williams

Morecambe FC: Boney, Conte (Kacurri 62'), Payne, Francillette, Sesay (C), Azeez (Dixon-Bonner 70'), Lewis (Campbell 77'), Thomas, Nolan (Sutton 83'), Aarons, Tollitt (Vilchez 87')

Subs Not Used: Scales, Panayiotou.

Goals: Nolan 33', Thomas 42', Azeez 46'.

Attendance: 363 (103 Away)